Fallout Project Scrapped at Microsoft Studio, Bethesda Prefers In-House Development

A fresh Fallout game, previously in development at a Microsoft-owned studio outside of Bethesda Game Studios, has reportedly been cancelled. This news comes from gaming journalist Jeff Gerstmann, who revealed the information on The Jeff Gerstmann Display podcast. The decision aligns with Bethesda’s preference to handle future mainline Fallout and Elder Scrolls titles internally.

Details of the Cancelled Project

Gerstmann stated that a Fallout project was underway at another studio owned by Microsoft, but it “is no longer going to see the light of day.” He emphasized that Todd Howard and the Bethesda team prefer to manage the development of core franchise titles in-house, opting to expand Bethesda Game Studios rather than outsource these projects. Wccftech and GameSpot both reported on Gerstmann’s comments.

Remasters and Future Development

Gerstmann also suggested that Bethesda is unlikely to oversee remasters or remakes directly, potentially outsourcing those projects. He specifically mentioned the Fallout 3 remaster, which has been the subject of rumors and indicated it would likely be handled by an external studio. GamingBible highlighted this point.

While the cancelled project is a setback, Bethesda is still actively developing the next major installment in the Fallout series. Still, this game is slated to release after The Elder Scrolls 6, meaning fans should expect a considerable wait. Reddit users have been discussing the implications of this news.

Speculation on the Studio Involved

Although no specific studio was named, speculation has arisen regarding which Microsoft-owned studio was working on the cancelled Fallout title. Obsidian Entertainment, known for its function on Fallout: New Vegas, is a potential candidate, but there is currently no concrete evidence to support this claim.

It’s important to note that Gerstmann, while a respected journalist, does not have a perfect track record, so this information should be viewed with caution.