'Elder Scrolls 6' release date: Bethesda isn't working on new game now, says Pete Hines

Fans who have been eagerly anticipating the next installment in the popular video game franchise "The Elder Scrolls" will have to wait a lot longer for the game.

In a recent series of Twitter posts, Pete Hines, Bethesda's vice president of PR and marketing, seemingly backtracked on the studio's earlier statements and denied that Bethesda is currently developing the as-yet-untitled "The Elder Scrolls VI."

On June 25, Hines responded to fans inquiring about the next installment in the popular action role-playing open world fantasy video game series. According to his conversation with "The Elder Scrolls" fans, Bethesda is not currently working on "The Elder Scrolls VI" because the studio "ha[s] two other major titles to work on."

Hines also insisted that he wasn't lying, saying that he has no reason to lie and that he was "just managing expectations and clearing up misconceptions."

According to the Bethesda boss, the highly anticipated video game sequel probably won't be out for many years. When asked when Bethesda will begin working on "The Elder Scrolls VI," Hines answered, "When it's time."

Hines' latest comments about "The Elder Scrolls VI" go against those made by Bethesda's game director Todd Howard during this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), which was held last month. In an interview wth Geoff Keighley during YouTube's Live at the recently concluded E3 2016, Howard said that Bethesda is, "of course," working on "The Elder Scrolls VI."

"But it is — I have to be careful what I say — it's a very long way off," Howard added. "I could sit here and explain the game to you, and you would say, 'That sounds like you don't even have the technology — how long is that going to take?' And so it's something that's going to take a lot of time, what we have in mind for that game."

But in his recent Twitter discourse with fans, Hines contradicted what Howard said, writing, "We aren't working on TES6 at the moment."

Bethesda has yet to announce the official release date for "The Elder Scrolls VI."

In the meantime, dedicated "The Elder Scrolls" fans can look forward to a "The Elder Scrolls V" remaster called "Skyrim Special Edition," which will be available for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on Oct. 28.