Todd Howard, Bethesda Game Studios' design director, has once again publicly addressed persistent fan speculation that he harbors negative feelings towards Obsidian Entertainment, the developer behind the beloved Fallout: New Vegas. This latest statement comes as Bethesda officially confirms a partnership with Obsidian for a new Fallout title and long-awaited remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. Howard emphasized a "huge amount of mutual respect" between the two studios.
Speaking to IGN, Howard stated that Bethesda is "always kind of wondering if we could find a way to work together in the right way." He explained that when opportunities arise, he considers the broader Fallout franchise and assesses whether a collaboration "really, really made sense." The recent announcement of Fallout 5 being in pre-production was part of a larger update from Bethesda regarding the future of the series.
The narrative surrounding Howard's alleged animosity towards Obsidian and Fallout: New Vegas has been a recurring theme among some segments of the Fallout fanbase. Initially, speculation focused on perceived jealousy of New Vegas's critical reception. More recently, some fans theorized that the Amazon Fallout TV show might be used to retcon the game out of existence.
To counter these theories, Howard previously involved Obsidian developers in the production of the Fallout TV series' second season, allowing them to witness the show's interpretation of New Vegas firsthand. Despite these efforts, the fan chatter has persisted. Howard alluded to this ongoing discussion, noting his appreciation for "fan chatter" and suggesting a potential awareness of the humor in the situation. The article notes that while such concerns may have been genuine for Howard in the past, he may now be engaging with the speculation with a sense of amusement.