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Anticipating the Next Fallout Game Release

Xbox is exploring options to expedite the release of the next Fallout game amidst the franchise's soaring popularity.
Anticipating the Next Fallout Game Release

Highlights

  • Xbox is considering expediting the development of the next Fallout game to capitalize on the franchise's post-show popularity surge.
  • Outsourcing Fallout development to another studio is under consideration due to potential delays in Fallout 5's release.
  • The acquisition of Obsidian by Xbox opens up the possibility of simultaneous development for new Fallout and Elder Scrolls games.

Recent reports suggest that Xbox is keen on leveraging the heightened excitement around the Fallout series to hasten the arrival of its next installment. Following the success of the Amazon show, interest in the Fallout franchise has spiked, with player engagement across all platforms hitting new highs. Bethesda seized this opportunity by rolling out Fallout 4's next-gen update for free on April 25.

Although the enhanced next-gen version of Fallout 4 offers various improvements and additions, the game itself is almost a decade old. Fans are left pondering the release date of Fallout 5, a prospect that could potentially take Bethesda another decade at least if they were to helm the development. With Bethesda's focus currently on Elder Scrolls 6 following the release of Starfield last year, and the confirmation from creative director Todd Howard that Fallout 5 is next in line after Elder Scrolls 6, fans might have to wait until 2027-2028 for Fallout 5, adding another 6–7 years for its development.

During a recent episode of the Xbox Two podcast, Microsoft insider Jez Corden highlighted this dilemma, indicating that Xbox is cognizant of the surging interest in Fallout and the guaranteed success of the upcoming installment. Despite the absence of Fallout 5 and Bethesda's preoccupation with Elder Scrolls 6, Xbox is reportedly exploring alternative strategies to expedite the development of a new Fallout game.

Xbox's Consideration of External Development for Fallout

Delegating the development of Fallout to another studio appears to be a viable option for Xbox, as suggested by Corden. This approach could enable the concurrent development of a new Fallout title alongside Elder Scrolls 6, potentially leading to their release within a close timeframe. This tactic echoes Bethesda's past collaboration with Obsidian for Fallout New Vegas in 2010, which garnered immense popularity in the series. Notably, Xbox's ownership of Obsidian enhances the feasibility of this arrangement.

However, given Obsidian's current projects such as Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2, tackling a franchise as vast as Fallout may pose challenges for the studio at present. Moreover, Fallout games are known for their expansive and intricate gameplay, requiring significant development time regardless of the studio involved. Nonetheless, Xbox might be strategizing to align the next Fallout game's launch with the third season of the TV series.

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