Highlights
- Todd Howard confirms a new mainline Fallout game is in early development at Bethesda.
- The Elder Scrolls VI remains the primary focus, meaning the new RPG will follow its release.
- Driven by the Amazon Prime TV series success, future titles aim for massive replayability.
It is finally official. Bethesda Game Studios has confirmed that a new mainline Fallout game, widely believed to be Fallout 5, is currently in early development. The long-awaited confirmation came directly from Bethesda director Todd Howard during a recent development update regarding The Elder Scrolls VI. While fans have speculated about the next entry for years, this marks the first time the studio has explicitly acknowledged the project's status, signaling that the franchise has become a top priority following a massive surge in global popularity.
Speaking in a recent interview with Game Informer, Howard provided crucial context on where the studio’s focus lies. He clarified that while the majority of Bethesda’s internal development staff remains laser-focused on the next chapter of the Elder Scrolls saga, the studio is simultaneously working on several unannounced projects for the post-apocalyptic RPG series. Howard noted that "Fallout as a franchise is the one that we're still doing the most work in above anything," highlighting that support for existing titles and new projects is advancing quietly in the background.
Howard’s comments suggest that while full production on the new mainline game may be some time away, the franchise is expanding rapidly to meet demand. This strategy aligns with past comments, indicating that future games may tie into the lore established by the Amazon Prime TV series.
Steam
Elder Scrolls VI Remains Primary Focus
Despite the excitement surrounding the Fallout news, Howard emphasized transparency regarding The Elder Scrolls VI. First announced in 2018, the fantasy RPG remains Bethesda's primary internal project. As early builds are being played internally, Howard confirmed steady progress is being made.
However, he asked fans for continued patience, as the new Fallout title is likely in pre-production or early design, meaning full production would only ramp up after The Elder Scrolls VI is released.
The decision to double down on the wasteland comes amidst a massive resurgence for the franchise, driven largely by the success of the Amazon Prime Fallout TV series. The show has kept the series right at the center of pop culture and fueled a significant player surge for back-catalog titles like Fallout 3, 4, New Vegas, and the ongoing Fallout 76.
To match this engagement, Bethesda design director Emil Pellerin shared his aims to create future experiences offering 200 to 600 hours of replayability, as reported by Notebook Check. With Season 2 of the TV show on the horizon, the synergy between the screen and the studio seems stronger than ever.
