Bethesda Game Studios CEO Todd Howard has framed Obsidian Entertainment as the 'only choice' to take Fallout's reins after Fallout 3. In a Game Informer interview, relayed via GamesRadar, Howard described Obsidian as the pick due to their prior experience with a similar project and their familiarity with the studio. The remarks are presented as a direct rebuttal to a longstanding fan myth that Howard resents Obsidian; the notes accompanying this report portray the opposite.
Howard further explained that Obsidian was selected because of their work on Knights of the Old Republic II, noting that 'they had done something similar with Knights of the Old Republic 2, and we knew them really well.' The reference underscores Obsidian's track record on a major RPG released with a compressed development window, and it positions the choice as a deliberate collaboration rather than a concession.
Notably, the discussion touches a broader fan conversation about Bethesda's relationship with its collaborators. The note emphasizes Obsidian's role in expanding Fallout's repertoire rather than signaling bitterness, framing the studio as a trusted partner with a proven ability to push a complex RPG forward.
The notes also call attention to New Vegas as a landmark in the series’ history. While Fallout: New Vegas is technically a spin-off developed by Obsidian, it is described as a classic by fans and critics alike, having sold over 11 million copies by 2015. The game's commercial performance is presented as a reminder of how a non-Bethesda project can deeply influence the franchise's legacy and financial footprint for the parent company.
The linkage between Obsidian's work on Knights of the Old Republic II and Fallout: New Vegas serves as a case study in how veteran RPG studios can extend a flagship IP. The piece notes that, in public perception, Bethesda is sometimes viewed as diverging from the series' roots; Howard's comments, however, are cast as evidence of a cooperative and productive relationship with a studio that understands the franchise's DNA.
As the industry continues to watch for new Fallout projects and related collaborations, Howard's remarks contribute to a broader dialogue about which studios are best positioned to shepherd beloved franchises forward. The underlying message is one of measured, results-driven partnerships that leverage longstanding relationships and proven expertise to sustain a living, evolving RPG universe. 
In sum, the anecdote surrounding Obsidian's involvement in Fallout's past is presented not as a tale of rivalry, but as a testament to how cross-studio collaboration can reinforce a franchise over time. Howard’s framing of Obsidian as the 'only choice' for a non-Bethesda Fallout project reinforces the notion that productive partnerships, rather than internecine tension, have helped shape the RPG landscape for years.