Bethesda Issues Official Statement on Fallout 5

Fallout 5 is still years away from release, but Bethesda has actually already commented on the highly-anticipated game multiple times. The Fallout franchise is easily one of the most popular in all of gaming, from the classic isometric RPGs to Bethesda’s critically-acclaimed releases to the ongoing TV series airing on Amazon Prime Video. Fallout 5 is an inevitability, though the game is still many years away from release.

The first time that Bethesda commented on Fallout 5 in an official capacity was actually all the way back in 2018, when Todd Howard confirmed that it would be a single-player game. Then, in 2021, Howard said that a “one-pager” existed detailing the studio’s plans for Fallout 5. In 2022, Bethesda commented on Fallout 5 again, with Howard confirming that the game would be the studio’s next big project after it finished work on The Elder Scrolls 6. Based on Bethesda’s release cadence, this has led some fans to theorize that The Elder Scrolls 6 will drop at some point in 2028 or later, with Fallout 5 not coming until 2033 at the absolute earliest.

Fallout 5 is Bethesda’s “Long-Range Destination”

More recently, Bethesda outlined its plans for the Fallout franchise, including Fallout 5. Earlier this summer, Bethesda confirmed that Fallout 5 remains the studio’s “long-range destination,” while also confirming that there are various other Fallout projects in development for fans to look forward to as well.

While Fallout 5 is still many years away from release, other new Fallout releases should help fill the void in the meantime. For example, Fallout 76 is getting a new expansion next year called Raven Rock that will actually serve as a prequel to the beloved Fallout 3. And speaking of Fallout 3, Bethesda has also confirmed that it is working on remasters for both Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. Release windows for those projects haven’t been announced just yet, but with 1997 marking the 30th anniversary of the franchise, there are some expecting the Fallout 3 remaster to shadow drop next year, perhaps during Fallout Day on October 23, which will include a live event in Washington, D.C.

A new Fallout game is also being worked on at Obsidian Entertainment, the studio that previously partnered with Bethesda to make Fallout: New Vegas. Nothing official about Obsidian’s Fallout project has been confirmed just yet, but rumors have pointed to a direct sequel to New Vegas or even a Fallout game set in New Orleans. Fans will have to wait and see if there’s any truth to those leaks.

Beyond video games, there’s more of the Fallout TV series on the way, plus a reality TV show based on the Fallout Shelter mobile game. So, while the wait for Fallout 5 is going to be an agonizing one, with the game likely not coming out until we get dangerously close to the 20th anniversary of Fallout 4, hopefully fans will be satisfied by the projects that release in the meantime. And while Bethesda’s focus is currently on The Elder Scrolls 6, we can’t rule out the possibility that Todd Howard or someone else at the studio will reveal more about Fallout 5 sooner than expected.