While all eyes are onStarfield, many are no doubt curious about Bethesda’s future and other projects. It’s no surprise then that comments were made aboutThe Elder Scrolls 6, but many have been surprised when Todd Howard said the words “Fallout 5.”
Starfieldis set to release in 2023, and it’s no secret thatThe Elder Scrolls 6is coming after it. The latter was announced in 2018, with Bethesda confirming there would be no news on it beforeStarfieldreleases. It’s no shock then to hear thatThe Elder Scrolls 6is still in pre-production, meaning it is still years out, but that’s not great news forFallout 5. It could be decent news forFallout: New Vegas, though.
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Fallout 5 After The Elder Scrolls 6
Howard recently confirmed thatFallout 5would be its next project afterThe Elder Scrolls 6, but this has long-reaching implications.The Elder Scrolls 6is probably, at the very least, 4-5 years away, and following that down the rabbit hole meansFallout 5is probably a decade away still. This would mean that 2018’sFallout 76is the last entry in the franchise, and the wait forFallout 5could put at least a 12-year hole in the franchise.
Bethesda’sStarfieldis a new venture, but its safest bets areFalloutandThe Elder Scrolls. Each are beloved, seminal franchises. It makes sense forBethesda to be the one to makeFallout 5, but such a gap would be harmful to the franchise. It would be exciting, no doubt, just asThe Elder Scrolls 6is afterSkyrim,but many were not and still aren’t happy withFallout 76, unlikeSkyrim. This means the last single-player entry in the franchise would have beenFallout 4, potentially widening the gap to at least 15 years before single-player entries.
What Comes Before Fallout 5
SomethingFallout-related has to come out without those 15 years, something has to come beforeFallout 5. This year,Falloutcelebrates its 25th anniversary, which Bethesda is celebrating withThe Pitt DLC inFallout 76. Fans want something more, like HD remasters or remakes of past games, and there’s still time for them to get them. This could be improvements to the first three games, a bundle package of the classic games, or an anniversary edition-style re-release ofFallout 4.
There’s still time for this, but whether soon or within that 15-year gap, there’s one major release that has to happen.Fallout: New Vegas, although developed by Obsidian, is one of the most popular entries in the franchise. Fans have wanted a sequel, a spiritual successor like theFallout: New Orleansidea that has floated around several times, or at the very least, a remake. Obsidian could make the Remake so there is something going on in the franchise, or another developer could handle it–as seen with other franchises. But it needs to happen, one way or another.
WithFallout 5so far away and such a gaping hole in the franchise, revisiting older games is the perfect way to fill it. Celebrating the original games,Fallout 3, Fallout 4, and honoring them throughFallout 76is great and all, butthe best play here is aFallout: New Vegas Remake. Any motion within the franchise will help fill the gap, butNew Vegasis the best option it can run with.
