The Fallout franchise is riding high thanks to the critically acclaimed Prime Video television series, but longtime fans of the games are growing increasingly impatient for a new mainline entry. The latest reminder that Fallout 5 is still a long way off has sparked widespread disappointment across the community.
In a recent Reddit discussion, users highlighted comments from Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard confirming that full production on Fallout 5 will not begin in earnest until The Elder Scrolls VI is complete. While Howard has also noted that the studio typically overlaps development on multiple projects, the lack of concrete progress on either title has left many feeling deflated.
The comments on the Reddit thread captured the prevailing sentiment:
- “It’s just bad marketing to not have a game in the works to parallel the show. I was expecting a game-as-a-service model-type Fallout game, so they could milk the show’s draw into a game series.”
- “Can someone explain this? You are telling me that even with Microsoft behind you and guarantees of profit they cannot make two games at the same time?”
- “How do they not have 2 separate teams — 1 making Fallout and 1 making ES constantly? These games make ludicrous money.”
Many players had hoped the massive success of the Fallout TV series would accelerate development of a new game, possibly even a live-service-style experience to capitalize on the renewed interest. Instead, the reality appears to be a much slower timeline tied directly to the progress of The Elder Scrolls VI.
The Elder Scrolls VI was announced back in 2018 but has remained almost completely silent since then. No new trailers, gameplay footage, or meaningful updates have been shared in years. This radio silence has fueled speculation that the game is still in very early stages, which in turn pushes Fallout 5 even further into the future.
Howard has previously stated that Bethesda does overlap production on titles, so some preliminary work on Fallout 5 may already be happening in the background. However, he has been clear that the bulk of development resources will not shift until The Elder Scrolls VI is further along. Given the current pace, many fans now believe Fallout 5 is unlikely to release before the end of the decade and possibly not until the early 2030s.
The Fallout TV series has introduced millions of new fans to the post-apocalyptic universe, creating a perfect opportunity to bring them into the games. The absence of a new mainline title or even a smaller spin-off experience during this surge in popularity feels like a missed chance to many in the community.
While Bethesda continues to support Fallout 76 with regular updates and new content, that live-service game does not scratch the itch for a fresh single-player campaign in the style of Fallout 3, New Vegas, or Fallout 4.
Microsoft’s ownership of Bethesda has not visibly accelerated development timelines for these flagship single-player RPGs. Fans continue to question why the studio cannot run two large teams in parallel, especially given the financial success of both franchises.
For now, players hoping to explore new corners of the Fallout wasteland will have to content themselves with the TV series, Fallout 76, and replaying older entries. A concrete update on either The Elder Scrolls VI or Fallout 5 would go a long way toward restoring optimism, but Bethesda has remained characteristically quiet on both fronts.
The next major window for news could be during a future Xbox showcase or Bethesda-specific event, but until then, the wait for Fallout 5 continues to feel painfully long.