Bethesda Game Studios has provided a long-awaited update on the future of its flagship RPG franchises, confirming that Fallout 5 is officially in pre-production. The news arrives as the studio pivots its internal resources to focus on the next generation of its core titles following years of silence on the mainline series.

Quick Facts

  • Fallout 5: Currently in the pre-production stage.
  • The Elder Scrolls 6: In active development and currently being played internally by the studio.
  • Fallout Remasters: Bethesda confirmed that remasters for both Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas are in the works.
  • Engine: Both Fallout 5 and The Elder Scrolls 6 are being built on Creation Engine 3.

Development Priorities and Collaborations

While Fallout 5 has entered the early planning stages, Bethesda's primary development priority remains The Elder Scrolls 6. Despite the eight-year gap since its initial teaser, the studio reports that development is proceeding as planned, with team members actively playing the game. Both upcoming titles are confirmed to utilize the latest iteration of the studio's proprietary technology, Creation Engine 3.

The studio also confirmed a return to the Fallout series for original New Vegas developer Obsidian, though the specific nature of their project remains undisclosed. Additionally, the studio Virtuous has been tapped to handle the remaster of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. Bethesda also noted that ZeniMax Online Studios will increase its collaboration with the main studio while continuing to support The Elder Scrolls Online.

Ongoing Support for Existing Titles

Bethesda continues to maintain its current roster of live games. Fallout 76 is scheduled to receive a new expansion in 2027 titled Raven Rock, which is described as a prequel story to Fallout 3. Meanwhile, Starfield is entering its third year of post-launch support, with upcoming plans for gameplay refinements, additional story content, and further Starborn-related updates.

On the mobile front, Fallout Shelter continues to see updates, with the franchise also expanding into non-interactive media. A third season of the Fallout television series is currently in production, and an unscripted project based on Fallout Shelter is in development with Amazon Studios and Kilter Films.

Studio Context Amidst Industry Changes

These updates follow a period of significant staffing changes at Bethesda. The studio recently underwent layoffs that affected several long-term veterans, including designers who worked on Skyrim, Fallout 3, and Fallout 4. Bethesda boss Todd Howard acknowledged the difficulty of this transition, noting that the studio is undergoing changes to focus on its primary franchises. These announcements come as the company reports cumulative sales of 100 million copies between Skyrim and Fallout 4, while Starfield has surpassed 17 million players.