Bethesda Shutting Down Elder Scrolls: Blades Mobile Game

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Bethesda has announced that it will be shutting down the mobile RPG The Elder Scrolls: Blades on June 30, 2026. The game, which launched in 2020, will be delisted from all platforms as the developer prepares to permanently close the title. Bethesda is offering players a free bundle of in-game currency to enjoy the remaining content before the shutdown.

Why it matters

The Elder Scrolls: Blades was an attempt by Bethesda to bring its popular fantasy RPG franchise to the mobile gaming market. However, the game faced criticism from players who felt it relied too heavily on free-to-play mechanics and microtransactions, hampering the core gameplay experience. The shutdown of Blades is a setback for Bethesda's mobile ambitions and highlights the challenges of translating beloved console/PC franchises to the mobile space.

The details

The Elder Scrolls: Blades launched in May 2020 as a free-to-play action RPG set between the events of Oblivion and Skyrim. While the game was available on both mobile devices and Nintendo Switch, Bethesda is now delisting it from all platforms as it prepares to permanently shut down the servers on June 30, 2026. In an in-game message, the developer is thanking players and offering a free bundle of in-game currency to allow them to access all remaining content before the closure.

• The Elder Scrolls: Blades launched in May 2020.
• Bethesda announced the game's shutdown on March 30, 2026.
• The game will permanently close on June 30, 2026.

What’s next

The Elder Scrolls 6, the next mainline entry in the franchise, is still in development but does not have a confirmed release date.