Tim Cain, co-creator of Fallout, shares his reasons for stepping back from creating new IPs, citing a desire to avoid enriching others with his original ideas.

Tim Cain, co-creator of Fallout, has stated that he has no plans to develop any new intellectual properties (IPs) in the future, primarily because he feels he has already enriched others through his creations.

With a track record that includes iconic titles like Fallout, Arcanum, The Temple of Elemental Evil, and The Outer Worlds, Tim Cain is a well-respected figure in the RPG scene. This impressive background has led many to question why he hasn’t ventured into creating a new IP, a topic he addresses in a recent YouTube video titled “Why not create a new IP today?”

“I love making games, so it really confuses people when they’re like, ‘Why are you not making games, new IPs?'” Cain explains. He elaborates that others have profited significantly more from the IPs he created than he ever has, stating, “It’s not by a little. It’s by a lot … the IPs that I made years ago, people who just work on them in a team make more money than I got to even create the IP.” While he seems somewhat frustrated by the recurring question, he clarifies that his annoyance stems from being “exasperated with the question.”

Cain also points out that he lacks the resources to develop a new CRPG. Even if he partnered with a publisher for funding and production, he would likely find himself in the same situation where others profit more from his work. He mentions that he has “moved on” from the idea of creating new IPs.

“If you really care about what I want, I’m still making toys and I love them and they make me happy. I’m over making people really wealthy with my own creations,” Cain shares, noting that he is currently employed full-time at Obsidian. While the specifics of his role remain unclear, it seems he may be contributing in a non-lead capacity, similar to his work on titles like Tyranny or South Park: The Stick of Truth.

However, Cain does express that his passion for creating could be rekindled, but only if there are significant changes in the gaming industry: “When a painting sells, everybody makes money.”