It’s been six years since the last time Bethesda released a new single-player RPG. Unfortunately, withStarfieldcoming out next year andThe Elder Scrolls 6 isat least a few years from release, it will probably be a long time beforeFallout 5becomes a reality. One might even assume that Bethesda hasn’t thought about it at all.
It turns out that’s not the case, and Bethesda already has an idea for where to take the franchise next. However, that doesn’t mean thatFallout 5is on the way any time soon.
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Bethesda Game Studios Executive producer Todd Howard recently spoke to IGN aboutSkyrim’simminent 10th anniversary. WhileElder Scrollswas the focus of the interview, the interviewer eventually asked aboutFallout 5. Specifically, IGN wanted to know if Bethesda had considered letting another studio takeFallout’s reigns while itfocuses onStarfieldandThe Elder Scrolls 6.
This is hardly the first time someone suggested Bethesda should let another studio develop the nextFalloutgame. The most likely alternate developer would probably be Obsidian Entertainment, makers ofexcellent RPGs likeFallout: New Vegas,Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2,Neverwinter Nights 2,andThe Outer Worlds.Falloutfans have been hoping for another Obsidian-Bethesda team up for years. That seems more likely after Microsoft acquired both studios.
However, Todd Howard downplayed the likelihood of that event, saying, “Fallout’sreally part of our DNA here. We’ve worked with other people from time to time – I can’t say what’s gonna happen.” So, while Howard didn’t completely dismiss the possibility, it seems like Bethesda prefers to keepFalloutin-house for the foreseeable future. He then revealed that the studio already has a one-pager onwhat it wants to do withFallout 5.
For those not familiar with the behind-the-scenes of game development, a one-pager is a broad outline of a game concept. This includes a rough outline of the plot along with ideas for mechanics and unique features. Businesses generally use one-pagers to summarize a concept for executives or investors. So, in terms of development progress,Fallout 5is only a few steps above an elevator pitch. Still, it shows that Bethesda is thinking about what it wants to do onceStarfieldandThe Elder Scrolls 6are out the door.
Unfortunately, Bethesda isn’t ready to share what the studio has in mind for the nextFalloutgame. It’s not even strictly accurate to say Howard confirmedFallout 5since he reiterated that Bethesda Game Studios’ only current commitments are toStarfieldandThe Elder Scrolls 6. Given thatThe Elder Scrolls 6is still relatively early in development,Fallout 5sounds like it’s a long way off.
Fallout 5is in early pre-production.
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