In a recent note published by Todd Howard, the executive producer and game director at Bethesda Game Studios, the company’s upcoming plans were outlined. These plans include the development of Fallout 5, The Elder Scrolls 6, remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, and even a Fallout Shelter TV show.
The focus of the strategy is on evolving existing franchises and empowering user-generated content. Howard stated, “We’re investing more deeply in the worlds players love, giving creators a bigger role in shaping their experiences, and bringing our teams closer together to get our games into your hands sooner, support them longer, and continue building them alongside you for decades to come.”
Howard emphasized the importance of player involvement in creating experiences within their games. He highlighted the success of the Creations platform, which has allowed creators to earn over $10 million in royalties. This platform has expanded to include Fallout 4, joining Skyrim and Starfield.
Regarding the Fallout franchise, Howard confirmed it as a top priority for the studio, with multiple projects in active development. He mentioned that Fallout 5 is a long-term goal, and the studio is currently working on various Fallout initiatives.
Upcoming projects for Fallout include the Raven Rock expansion for Fallout 76, set to be released next year. Howard also promised additional seasons for Fallout Shelter, as well as an unscripted television project based on Fallout Shelter in collaboration with Amazon Studios and Kilter Films.
Howard mentioned ongoing work on remasters for Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, catering to players who wish to revisit previous Fallout experiences. He also teased something special for Fallout’s 30th anniversary in 2027.
The note highlighted the collaboration among studios, confirming that Obsidian is involved in a new Fallout project, as previously reported.
Howard highlighted the synergy among Bethesda’s teams, with ZeniMax Online Studios partnering closely with Bethesda Game Studios on The Elder Scrolls franchise while continuing to develop The Elder Scrolls Online. More content for ESO is expected in the future.
Both The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 are being developed using Creation Engine 3, the same technology used in Starfield. While Fallout 5 is in preproduction, The Elder Scrolls 6 is the primary focus of the studio, with the majority of the team working on it.
Howard assured fans that progress is being made on The Elder Scrolls 6, the highly anticipated sequel to Skyrim, which was announced in 2018.
Continued support for Starfield was also announced by Howard, with plans for new stories, gameplay improvements, and upcoming Starborn content. The studio aims to enhance player customization and invest further in creators for Starfield.
Howard concluded by affirming Bethesda’s commitment to the future of Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Starfield, emphasizing technological advancements, team collaboration, ongoing game support, expansion into new entertainment forms, and the development of the next generation of Bethesda RPGs.
The article follows Bethesda’s shift to a “franchise-centric” planning strategy for long-term growth and stability, as announced by CEO Jill Braff in July.
Bethesda Game Studios experienced layoffs following Microsoft’s restructuring, impacting sister studios like id Software and Zenimax Online Studios. The OneBGS union organized a protest against the cuts, advocating for visibility and unity among its members.