Ethan Crossfield 
Wondering whether to wait for the next Fallout era—or pivot your attention to Elder Scrolls VI or Starfield? Bethesda’s studio update lays out what’s actively in motion: Fallout 5 is in preproduction, additional Fallout remasters are planned (with no dates), more Fallout content is coming for 76 and Shelter, and Bethesda also reiterates that Elder Scrolls VI remains its main development focus.
What Bethesda confirmed about Fallout and its remasters
Bethesda Game Studios has shared a long-range view of its project pipeline, including multiple Fallout announcements. The headline update is a direct confirmation that Fallout 5 is currently in preproduction, positioned as a long-term destination for the franchise. Bethesda also indicates the game is being developed with Creation Engine 3, the next-generation engine that will also power The Elder Scrolls VI.
Beyond Fallout 5, Bethesda says it is working on remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. While the remaster work is confirmed, Bethesda did not provide release windows. Bethesda also notes that the Fallout 3 remaster had previously surfaced in court documents in 2023.
For ongoing live content, Fallout 76 is set to receive its next major expansion in 2027. The expansion is titled Raven Rock and is described as a prequel story to Fallout 3. Fallout Shelter, meanwhile, is scheduled to receive new seasons, and Bethesda also points to an unscripted television adaptation of Fallout Shelter that is in development with Amazon.
Who is affected: Obsidian’s Fallout project and Bethesda’s internal focus
Bethesda’s pipeline update also clarifies the studio’s collaboration strategy. It confirms it is working with Obsidian Entertainment on a new Fallout game, aligning with earlier reporting that Obsidian had shifted to this project and had an Avowed sequel affected in the process.
At the same time, Bethesda frames The Elder Scrolls VI as its primary development focus, stating that most of its team is working on the next chapter of the franchise. Bethesda’s message emphasizes steady progress on that front, with the team actively building and playing the next chapter.
Bethesda also highlights closer cross-studio alignment with ZeniMax Online Studios, the team behind The Elder Scrolls Online. ZeniMax Online will partner closely with Bethesda across the Elder Scrolls franchise while continuing ESO updates, with the goal of creating more consistent experiences for players.
What comes next for Starfield—and what the update signals for the industry
Starfield remains firmly on Bethesda’s roadmap. Bethesda states that Year 3 will bring new stories, additional gameplay improvements, and more content. The studio also points to new Starborn-related content planned for 2027.
Bethesda’s Fallout communication includes one notable absence: there will be no Fallout Day broadcast this year. Instead, Bethesda plans a live celebration in Washington, D.C. to mark the franchise’s 30th anniversary in 2027.
All of this arrives amid broader corporate turbulence. The update references an Xbox game division restructuring associated with a broader “reset” of the brand, including layoffs across the division and the divestment of multiple development studios. Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax, reportedly lost Arkane Studios during that process, and the restructuring reportedly affected staffing at Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, and ZeniMax Online.
What players should know
- Fallout 5 is confirmed as being in preproduction and is positioned as a long-range Fallout goal.
- Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas remasters are confirmed—but Bethesda provided no release windows.
- Fallout 76’s next major expansion, Raven Rock, is planned for 2027 and is tied to Fallout 3’s backstory.
- Fallout Shelter is getting new seasons, plus an unscripted TV adaptation in development with Amazon.
- Elder Scrolls VI is described as Bethesda’s current top priority, with most of the team focused on it.
Expert View
Bethesda’s update is best read as a sequencing document: Fallout 5 exists as the long-term endpoint, while Elder Scrolls VI is the immediate labor focus, and Starfield continues to receive structured post-launch content. For players, the practical takeaway is simple—if you want the next big Bethesda single-player bet, keep an eye on Elder Scrolls VI and Starfield; if you’re waiting on Fallout, expect a steady stream of confirmed projects, but no near-term certainty for the remasters’ launch timing.
