Fallout 5 Is Bethesda’s Next Game After The Elder Scrolls 6

Long development cycles have become a defining part of Bethesda Game Studios’ modern release strategy. Starfield arrived in 2023 after years of work, while The Elder Scrolls 6 remains the studio’s main upcoming project. Now, fans also have a clearer view of what follows: Todd Howard has confirmed that Fallout 5 will be Bethesda’s next game after The Elder Scrolls 6.

Bethesda’s Long Road to The Elder Scrolls 6

The Elder Scrolls 6 was announced in 2018, but Bethesda’s attention shifted to Starfield during the years that followed. The open-world science-fiction game launched in 2023 and received mostly positive reviews. Its strongest response came from players who appreciated seeing Bethesda’s familiar open-world formula applied to a new setting and genre.

However, Starfield has not maintained the same level of lasting attention as the studio’s Elder Scrolls and Fallout projects. Bethesda has indicated that more Starfield content is planned, but most of the studio is now focused on The Elder Scrolls 6. That shift explains why the fantasy role-playing game remains the central priority for Bethesda’s main development team.

Fallout 5 Is Officially Next in Line

Bethesda has not announced a release window for Fallout 5, and the game is unlikely to arrive soon. Based on the studio’s development pace, The Elder Scrolls 6 may not launch until around 2028 at the earliest, with a later release also possible. Once that project is complete, Fallout 5 will take priority as Bethesda’s next game.

That timetable points to a potential release in the 2030s, although no specific year has been confirmed. Fallout 5 could also arrive nearly two decades after Fallout 4, placing significant pressure on Bethesda to meet expectations. The company has not revealed the game’s setting, story, gameplay systems, or other details, so its current importance comes from its place in the studio’s roadmap rather than from announced features.

What Fans Can Play While They Wait

The lengthy wait for both major single-player projects does not mean Bethesda’s Fallout plans are empty. The company has confirmed remastered versions of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. Obsidian Entertainment, which worked with Bethesda on New Vegas, is also developing another Fallout game under the broader Bethesda umbrella.

Fallout 76 provides another ongoing source of franchise content. Bethesda is expected to continue supporting the online game with expansions and additional updates while players wait for more information about The Elder Scrolls 6, Fallout 5, and other future projects. These releases can keep the series visible, but they are not substitutes for the next numbered single-player Fallout game.

Key points

• Fallout 5 will follow The Elder Scrolls 6 as Bethesda Game Studios’ next game.
• The Elder Scrolls 6 has been in development after its 2018 announcement and may arrive around 2028 at the earliest.
• Fallout 5 is unlikely to launch before the 2030s, and no release date has been announced.
• Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas remasters, plus continued Fallout 76 content, are planned for the intervening period.

Bethesda’s confirmed franchise roadmap

Expert View

The announcement gives Bethesda’s long-term pipeline unusual clarity, but it also highlights the scale of the wait facing its audience. The Elder Scrolls 6 remains responsible for the next major payoff, while Fallout 5 is positioned as an even more distant project with enormous community expectations. For Bethesda, remasters, Fallout 76 support, and other franchise releases will be important for maintaining engagement between major single-player launches. The roadmap also suggests that fans should judge future announcements cautiously: knowing which game comes next does not mean its development details or release timing are close.