Fallout: Bethesda under pressure – Todd Howard speaks out

The success of the Fallout series gives the games a second spring, but also puts Bethesda under enormous pressure because the desire is great. But what to do? External developers? Produce faster?

The Fallout series has been a huge hit with over 65 million viewers since its launch, the games in the series are experiencing a second spring and are even reaching higher player numbers than ever. After all, Bethesda at least managed to get a few things rolling at the start of the series, such as new content for the mobile offshoot Fallout Shelter or a content update for Fallout 76 as well as the controversial next-gen update for Fallout 4.

However, there is currently no sign of a new Fallout, especially since The Elder Scrolls VI is the first to fallout 5, and two games of this size are not normally developed in parallel. It is currently assumed that a Fallout 5 will not see the light of day before 2030. But the desire is great and, according to an insider, Bethesda parent Microsoft is very interested in accelerating the development of a new Fallout, if necessary with external studios.

In an interview with Kinda Funny Games Todd Howard from Bethesda has now also taken up the topic, but has expressed rather vague opinions about it. Accordingly, Bethesda itself is interested in reducing the long waiting times between games, but the focus is on delivering the highest possible quality. The question also arose about the involvement of external studios, for example to accelerate development or produce further spin-offs, as was the case with Fallout: New Vegas from Obsidian.

“I would say we've always had these conversations,” he replied. “We've done a lot of things for the series. It may seem like there isn't a big new game, but we've added new content to the series in 76. 76 is getting a really great map expansion coming this summer with Skyline Valley. […] So we're looking at what we're doing with the franchise and asking ourselves: Do we still feel good about – I can't give it away right now – our roadmap for Fallout as a franchise? When will season 2 be released? What do we do on the cell phone? What are we doing at 76? What do we do with this thing? What do we do with this other thing? When do they land? […] If I could snap my fingers I would, but the most important thing is that we deliver them in high quality – that's always the most important thing.”

Interestingly, the statement “What do we do with this thing? What do we do with this other thing?” indicates that there may be two Fallout projects in the pipeline. Among other things, there have already been rumors about a possible remake or remaster of Fallout 3. Fans, on the other hand, would like to see a Fallout: New Vegas 2 from Obsidian, a studio that, like Bethesda, has been part of Microsoft Game Studios for some time.

“First of all, I want to say they did a great job with New Vegas,” he replied. “I obviously can't say what we'll do with the franchise in the future, but New Vegas is a very, very important game for us and our fans,” Howard added. “We think they did an incredible job.” Does this statement give any hope?