Bethesda fans are known to be very dedicated. Sometimes, however, their love of Bethesda’s games and their attention to detail can still be surprising. Case in point, today’sStarfieldtrailer from the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase for E3 2021. The two-minute trailer is very rich in detail, something Bethesda’s Todd Howard has said was very intentionally done. Yet who would have expected a small scrape on the side of aStarfieldterminal to potentially revealThe Elder Scrolls 6’s setting, and for fans to spot it with relative ease.
Approximately 78 seconds intoStarfield’s latest teaser trailer, an astronaut sits down at in the cockpit of their spaceship. For less than two seconds, the side of the pilot’s terminal is shown, revealing what appears to be an odd shape in its metal plating. This tiny shape just happens to be identical to the shape of a region within the continent of Tamriel, whereThe Elder Scrollsis based. It’s so identically shaped that its placement within the trailer would be difficult to believe was coincidental.
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The location shown in theStarfieldtrailer is believed to be the western coast of Tamriel, combining the western edges of both the Hammerfell and High Rock provinces. The map would include the city ofDaggerfall, which is the setting forThe Elder Scrolls 2, as well as Iliac Bell and Hammerfell cities like Helgathe, Sentinel, and Gilane.
There is one issue, however. While the shape is recognizable as the west coast of Tamriel, in detail there are some notable and significant differences from whatElder Scrollsfans might expect. For one, the “map” shown in theStarfieldtrailer is presented as a singular region, almost like an island. In the known Tamriel map, even across long spans of time, the area is split between bothHigh Rock to the north and Hammerfell below it. But that’s not what the “map” shows.
In more specific detail, it also looks like the western tip of Hammerfell where Helgathe is placed is now an island far off the coast. The general shape of the coastline is also much different. Suffice to say, eitherBethesdahas completely reworked the shape of the region or it takes place in an era far earlier or far later than what players are familiar with.
One other lingering question is whether or not this “map” was placed in theStarfieldtrailer as a genuine teaser, as a fun Easter egg, or as a joke. It’s even possible that an artist slipped it in without oversight. Regardless, fans will run with it. Hammerfall and High Rock were already commonly believed to be locations inThe Elder Scrolls 6, so this is likely to be a sort of confirmation in their eyes. Hopefully, they can keep it together for what’s likely to be years beforeThe Elder Scrolls 6is even ready to start being shown.
Starfieldreleases Aug 08, 2025, on PC and Xbox Series X/S.TheElder Scrolls 6has been confirmed by Bethesda.
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