When it comes to debating theFalloutseries, one common comment is whetherFallout 3orFallout: New Vegasis the best game. To each their own, of course, but many fans who favor the latter have often called for a direct sequel. It’s not something really common to the franchise, but neither wasFallout: New Vegasexactly.
For those unaware, despite Bethesda owning theFalloutIP, Obsidian Entertainment was the driving force behindFallout: New Vegas. Bethesda outsourced it to the developer, with a stipulation that bonuses were tied to an 85 score on Metacritic.Fallout: New Vegasresulted in an 84, meaning Obsidian lost out on a lot of money that put it in a slight hole. Despite comments to the contrary, many saw this as the start ofbad blood between Obsidian and Bethesda, but Microsoft may have just put a nail in that. With both of them under its wing, it’s more likely than ever thatFallout: New Vegas 2could be a thing. In fact, there’s a small chance it’s already in development.
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Development on Fallout: New Vegas 2
First, it’s worth looking at what’s already on the pipeline. Bethesda has multiple arms, but it is likely to be stretched thin withDoom EternalDLC in the works,Starfieldas its next big release, andThe Elder Scrolls 6in the distant future, among others. Presumably, a newFalloutgame is somewhere there too, but it’s likely to be a numbered title not set to return to the New Vegas setting. At the same time, Obsidian has a lot in the works too:Grounded,Avowed, presumablyThe Outer Worlds 2, and more. With the backing of Microsoft, Bethesda could get even more bang for its buck, and Obsidian is showing that it’s the powerhouse some fans always knew it could be.
But that’s not all: some time ago,Obsidian Entertainment’s Josh Sawyer confirmed he was working on a secret projectwhen it was revealed he wasn’t working onAvowed. And for those unfamiliar, Josh Sawyer is a video game designer, writer, and director who has previously worked on the likes ofPillars of Eternity, Icewind Dale, andFallout: New Vegas. While a month ago, the possibility of that secret project beingNew Vegas 2was laughable, it may not be so anymore.
Deals do not happen over night. It’s unknown when the behind-the-door chats between Microsoft and ZeniMax media began, but it’s possible it’s been quite some time now. That potential acquisition would be leverage for Microsoft to help Obsidian and Bethesda bury the hatchet even sooner than this acquisition. It’s worth noting, after all, that Obsidian Entertainment acknowledged a question on whether or notFallout: New Vegas 2was a possibility. Obsidiangave a non-answer, but it did, in fact, answer.
Microsoft could have used these negotiations as a way to broker peace and see Bethesda lend it—and thus Obsidian—the IP. Even if it was unrelated to these talks, it’s not impossible thatMicrosoft and Bethesda’s good working relationshipsaw this happen anyway. In short, while there’s nothing that can be confirmed as of yet, it’s not impossible the stars have aligned either.
Basically,Fallout New Vegasdirector Josh Sawyeris working on a secret project. Because of Microsoft and Bethesda’s working relationship, that project could be theFalloutIP. And while it’s possibly unrelated, this acquisition is just something else that could be argued as part of this possibility. In terms of development, it would still be in the earliest phases, but it would still be possible.
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Why Fallout: New Vegas 2?
As aforementioned, theFalloutseries hasn’t really been direct sequels.Fallout 3takes place in the Capital Wasteland,Fallout: New Vegastakes place in the Mojave Wasteland, andFallout 4takes place in the Commonwealth. As such, expectingtheFallout 5locationto be anywhere familiar is unlikely, instead with it more likely being set in a new wasteland of post-apocalyptic America. But because fans have fallen in love withNew Vegasand the surrounding Wasteland, many have cried for it—or at least something similar (theFallout: New Orleansrumors gained momentum because of the similar naming convention).
If not just in spirit,Fallout: New Vegas 2could return to the Mojave Wasteland, either years before or years after the original. It’s not really impossible that it takes place directly after the first game, but since a lot of decisions changedNew Vegasitself, that does seem unlikely. No matter how it was done, though, the name alone would see fans of the original rush out in droves.
Furthermore, although some have argued that Microsoft’s Bethesda acquisition doesn’t mean future games will be Series X exclusives, there’s still the succinct possibility. Microsoft didn’t need to purchase Bethesda for it to outsource Fallout again, Microsoft didn’t need to purchaseBethesda to bring its games to Game Pass, and Microsoft didn’t need to purchase it for timed exclusive agreements. But it did purchase the whole kit and caboodle with ZeniMax Media. Securing future Bethesda games and IP as exclusive content means that the common narrative of Microsoft not having interesting exclusives (and that’s not to mention all of its other acquisitions too) is effectively over with.
Indeed, there’s still the wait before the full benefits of this purchase come into play, but with all the other projects out there,Fallout: New Vegas 2andThe Elder Scrolls 6as Xbox Series X/S exclusiveswould itself be a compelling reason to buy a console. Obviously, these are likely on PC as well, but for those who prefer console, it’s an easy argument to make.
All things considered, until Obsidian confirms what its secret project is or if it is working onFallout: New Vegas 2at some point, this is mere speculation. But for the first time in many years, the game’s not just a pipe dream—it’s a real possibility.
