Bethesda Game Studios officially confirmed it is developing remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, while announcing that Fallout 5 is now in pre-production. The news follows a period of significant restructuring at parent company Microsoft, as the studio looks to align its core teams for long-term development.
The Return of Fallout 3 and New Vegas
After months of speculation, Bethesda has ended the guessing game regarding the status of two of its most celebrated titles. The studio confirmed it is working on remasters for both 2008’s Fallout 3 and 2010’s Fallout: New Vegas, though it has not provided a specific release window for either project. As reported by Gizmodo, while these remasters have been rumored for some time, the announcement comes as the studio attempts to capitalize on the renewed interest generated by the Prime Video television series, which recently earned multiple Emmy nominations for its second season.
The decision arrives at a complicated moment for the developer. Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media, has been navigating a massive restructuring within Microsoft’s gaming division. For many fans, the long-awaited confirmation of these remasters serves as a rare bright spot amidst the industry’s recent turbulence.
Fallout 5 and New Collaborations
Beyond the remasters, Bethesda provided a roadmap for the future of the Fallout franchise. The game is being built using the new Creation Engine 3, which is also powering the studio’s primary focus, The Elder Scrolls VI.
In a move that signals a return to its collaborative roots, Bethesda also confirmed that Obsidian Entertainment is officially returning to the Fallout universe to develop a new spin-off title. This confirmation aligns with previous reports that Obsidian had shifted focus to this project, which resulted in the cancellation of an Avowed sequel. Additionally, Fallout 76 is set to receive a significant expansion in 2027 titled “Raven Rock,” which will function as a prequel to the events of Fallout 3.
Refocusing the Studio Pipeline
The studio’s roadmap is defined by a push for closer integration between its various teams. Bethesda is working to align ZeniMax Online Studios more directly with the core Bethesda team to improve collaboration on the Elder Scrolls franchise. Studio director Todd Howard described this shift as a necessary evolution for the developer.
“We had to change who we were and how we did some things then. And then we kind of became ZeniMax and did a bunch of things, and then we had to change again in 2016. Moving to different studios … how do we support these franchises? And I think we’re at another change moment for how we support each other, and what we do with these games and for our fans.”
Todd Howard, studio director at Bethesda Game Studios
Howard also addressed the personal toll of the recent layoffs, acknowledging that losing colleagues who have worked with the studio for decades is really personally very difficult, and difficult for our teams
. The studio is now placing its primary focus on The Elder Scrolls VI, which Howard confirmed is progressing on schedule, with the team playing the game daily.
Updates on Starfield and Future Milestones
Bethesda is also continuing its support for Starfield, which remains a core pillar of the studio’s future. The game is scheduled to receive new story content and gameplay improvements in its third year, alongside the release of a “Starborn” DLC in 2027. The studio is also focusing on enhancing its Creation Club tooling to support these long-term updates.
While the studio has canceled its plans for a Fallout Day broadcast this year, it has set its sights on 2027. Bethesda plans to host a live celebration in Washington, D.C., to mark the 30th anniversary of the franchise. This event will likely serve as a major touchpoint for the company as it attempts to move forward from the current restructuring phase and deliver on its promise to build titles that can be supported for decades to come
.
Uncertainties in the Development Horizon
Despite the clarity provided by this roadmap, significant questions remain regarding the timeline for the newly confirmed projects. Bethesda has notably omitted release dates for the Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters, and while The Elder Scrolls VI is the studio’s current priority, Howard has cautioned fans not to expect it anytime soon. Whether the company can successfully navigate the integration of its teams while delivering on these ambitious projects—all while operating under the shadow of ongoing Xbox-wide restructuring—remains the primary uncertainty for the studio’s next chapter.
Related reading
