Bethesda Game Studios has provided a comprehensive update on its future project pipeline, confirming that Fallout 5 is currently in preproduction. Studio head Todd Howard stated in a studio letter that Fallout 5 remains the developer's "long-range destination," and will be built using the next-generation Creation Engine 3, the same engine powering The Elder Scrolls VI.
In addition to Fallout 5, Bethesda is working on remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. While no release window has been provided for these remastered titles, Fallout 3's remaster was previously hinted at in court documents from 2023.
Fallout 76 is set to receive its next major expansion in 2027, titled "Raven Rock," which will serve as a prequel story to Fallout 3. Fallout Shelter will continue to receive new seasons, and Bethesda teased an upcoming unscripted television adaptation of the mobile game being developed by Amazon. The studio also announced that a live celebration for the Fallout franchise's 30th anniversary will take place in Washington, D.C. in 2027, replacing the annual Fallout Day broadcast this year.
Bethesda has also confirmed it is collaborating with Obsidian Entertainment on a new Fallout game. This news corroborates earlier reports that Obsidian was redirected to this project following the cancellation of an Avowed sequel.
The Elder Scrolls VI remains Bethesda's "primary development focus," with the majority of its team actively working on the title. "The next chapter is on the way. We’re where we planned to be, loving how it looks, and playing it every day," the studio stated.
Bethesda is also fostering closer collaboration between its internal studios. ZeniMax Online Studios, the team behind The Elder Scrolls Online, will work more closely with Bethesda Game Studios on the Elder Scrolls franchise, in addition to continuing development of new updates for ESO. This closer alignment aims to "create even better experiences for players."
Regarding Bethesda's latest intellectual property, Starfield, the studio confirmed that development is ongoing. Year 3 of the game is planned to introduce new stories, further gameplay improvements, and new Starborn content scheduled for release in 2027.
These project updates arrive amidst a significant restructuring within Xbox's gaming division. This initiative, led by CEO Asha Sharma, has resulted in substantial layoffs across the division, impacting studios like id Software and Obsidian. Xbox has also divested five development studios, with Arkane Studios being one of the subsidiaries separated from Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax.