The Elder Scrolls Is Officially Switching Genre In New RPG

Published Oct 23, 2026, 12:00 AM EDT

James is a gaming writer from London who has spent thousands of hours exploring titles from every genre. Though he has a particular affinity for multiplayer titles like World of Warcraft, Destiny 2 and League of Legends, he has also put thousands of hours into single-player experiences, from deep RPGs to epic PC strategies. When he's not playing or writing, he can usually be found supporting his beloved Brentford FC.

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The Elder Scrolls franchise is remarkably as popular as it has ever been, despite the fact that there hasn't been a new game in the main single-player series for over a decade and a half at this point. The Elder Scrolls VI has been underway for almost half of that time, though we still haven't seen anything more of it since its initial reveal at E3 in 2018.

Happily, there have been ways to have a good time with the franchise outside of the new release, most notably in The Elder Scrolls Online, which continues to receive regular updates and provide great experiences for fans. Outside of that, though, there's another adaptation that's criminally underrated, and it's about to get a major expansion that could take it to the next level

If you haven't been made aware of it yet, the franchise has an official cooperative tabletop board game entitled The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era. Developed by Chip Theory Games and licensed by ZeniMax Online Studios, it's set in Tamriel during the Second Era, and tasks players working to stop the mage Deslandra and the Soldiers of the Void from bringing about the Great Nullification.

Shadows of Oblivion is an expansion that comes as part of the Heroes of Tamriel expansion wave, which was successfully crowdfunded earlier this year. It centers on the dangerous Daedric Princes who play such a large role in the narratives of the existing video games. In letting fans know a little about what they can expect, the manufacturer shared the following description:

"The Daedric princes rule their respective planes of Oblivion, and their influence over mortals cannot be understated. Whether summoned to Tamriel for worship or study, these entities of great power will frequently strike deals and make pacts with those who dare. Such a bargain is laced with poison and sure to bring misery, but a serious adventurer doesn’t dismiss any potential advantage, and the prospect of wielding Daedric power is intoxicating!

"Each of the five Daedric princes comes with something akin to a side quest, offering a blessing and a curse. It’s recommended that adventurers play with both, but those looking to further manipulate the game’s difficulty could choose one or the other. With unique componentry and so many ways to adjust the gameplay experience, we’re very excited about what Shadows of Oblivion has to offer.

"Shadows of Oblivion introduces Hermaeus Mora, Sheogorath, Mehrunes Dagon, Azura, and Sanguine to Betrayal of the Second Era… for now!"

The average game takes around two hours, and it's a brilliant way to spend some time with up to three friends. The only thing to be aware of is that it's currently in the pre-order phase for the very reasonable price of £17.00, with dispatch expected between January and March of next year.

It's also probably the most fun you can have with The Elder Scrolls as a franchise for a while to come yet, so what's the harm in giving it a try while you patiently wait for the next game.

The Elder Scrolls is a fantasy role-playing video game franchise developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Known for its open-world design, deep lore, and extensive player freedom, the series is set in the continent of Tamriel, featuring multiple provinces, races, and conflicts influenced by history, mythology, and magic. The franchise has become one of the most successful and influential in gaming, with each installment pushing the boundaries of open-world RPGs.