Bethesda Reveals Plans for Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and Starfield Following Xbox Layoffs

Earlier this July, Xbox made significant cuts, letting go of 1,600 employees, with another 1,600 layoffs anticipated by the end of the fiscal year next summer. This restructuring impacted Bethesda and its sister studios at ZeniMax Media, raising concerns about the future of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout.

Recently, Bethesda provided updates on these beloved series, including Starfield, indicating that they are still committed to its development. Here’s what we learned about Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Starfield from Bethesda’s latest announcements.

Bethesda confirmed that Fallout 5 is in the works, currently in preproduction. However, with The Elder Scrolls 6 being the studio’s main priority, fans shouldn’t expect Fallout 5 to launch anytime soon.

In the meantime, Fallout enthusiasts can look forward to new adventures. Following earlier reports, Bethesda confirmed that Obsidian Entertainment is collaborating on a new Fallout project, though details remain under wraps for now. This isn’t surprising, as Obsidian has just begun work on it.

Nostalgia is strong, and Bethesda is also developing remasters for both Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, which have been rumored for a while. Given the success of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered last year, it makes sense that Fallout 3 and New Vegas would receive similar treatment. No release dates have been announced yet.

Additionally, a new expansion for Fallout 76 is set to launch next year, titled Raven Rock, which will serve as a prequel to Fallout 3.

The Elder Scrolls continues to be Bethesda’s flagship series, with The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim selling over 65 million copies since its release 15 years ago. The next installment, currently known as The Elder Scrolls 6, is the studio’s primary focus, with most of the team dedicated to this project. While no timeline has been provided, recent reports suggest it could be at least two years away.

Bethesda’s update regarding ZeniMax Online Studios and The Elder Scrolls Online reflects its commitment to a franchise-focused approach. They stated, “ZeniMax Online Studios will partner closely with Bethesda Game Studios on The Elder Scrolls franchise, while continuing to deliver incredible new experiences for The Elder Scrolls Online.” This alignment aims to enhance player experiences and strengthen the foundation for future projects.

Season 1 of The Elder Scrolls Online launched on July 8, and while Bethesda hinted at more content in the pipeline, specifics were not disclosed.

Bethesda also highlighted that over 17 million players have explored Starfield, emphasizing its significance in their future plans. Players can anticipate more content for the Settled Systems, including new stories, gameplay enhancements, and general updates as they prepare for new Starborn content in 2027.

The recent layoffs and restructuring at Xbox could potentially impact the release timeline for The Elder Scrolls 6.