Bethesda Confirms Fallout 5 is Now in Preproduction

With The Elder Scrolls 6 seemingly a couple of years away, news about a potential Fallout 5 from Bethesda felt like a long shot. However, in a recent update regarding the studio’s future, the creators of the beloved post-apocalyptic RPG series confirmed that a sequel is indeed in development. But there’s more to the story.

Fallout 5 is currently in the early stages of pre-production, according to Bethesda. Some fans might be disappointed to learn that the next installment will utilize Creation Engine 3, the same engine that powered Starfield in 2023 and is also being used for The Elder Scrolls 6. While it’s not surprising that Bethesda is sticking with its proprietary technology, fans may have hoped for a departure from Creation Engine 3, or at least an upgraded version, especially since Fallout 5 is likely to release after The Elder Scrolls 6.

Starfield has shown that Bethesda can deliver a more stable experience than usual, but Fallout 5 risks appearing outdated upon release, particularly in terms of character animations. On a brighter note, could modding for Fallout 5 be confirmed inadvertently?

In addition to the Fallout 5 news, Bethesda announced that it is remastering both Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. The studio is also collaborating with Obsidian Entertainment on a new Fallout project, which is separate from Fallout 5. Furthermore, fans were reminded that a TV adaptation based on the popular mobile game Fallout Shelter is in the works.

“Fallout is one of our biggest priorities today,” Bethesda stated. “Fallout 5 remains our long-range destination, and we have multiple Fallout projects in active development right now.”

Despite the upbeat tone of the announcement, some developers at Bethesda who have remained with the studio after recent layoffs have reported that the situation is chaotic. There are claims that The Elder Scrolls 6 may face delays, and the quality assurance department has reportedly been significantly reduced.