Summary
- Insider Jez Corden confirmed on the Xbox Two podcast that Fallout 5 is “fully greenlit” by Bethesda.
- The green light reportedly came as Microsoft cancelled Project Blackbird, a ZeniMax MMO, to allocate resources elsewhere.
- However, Jason Schreier debunked the connection between Project Blackbird’s cancellation and Fallout 5’s development.
- The Fallout 5 development studio remains unknown as Bethesda focuses on The Elder Scrolls 6 and Starfield DLC.
Fallout 5 Fully Greenlit Amid Bethesda’s Project Portfolio
Jez Corden, a well-known Xbox reporter, revealed in a recent episode of the Xbox Two podcast that Fallout 5 has been “fully greenlit” by Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax.
This confirms that the next mainline Fallout game is officially moving forward, though details such as the development studio or timeline remain undisclosed. Bethesda Game Studios is currently focusing heavily on The Elder Scrolls 6 after completing engine upgrades and pre-production phases.
Corden also mentioned that Microsoft’s cancellation of Project Blackbird, a ZeniMax Online Studios MMORPG, was partially motivated by the need to allocate resources towards projects with a higher chance of success, like Fallout 5. However, this claim was refuted by journalist Jason Schreier, who explained the layoffs were primarily cost-cutting measures and not a strategic shift to funnel resources to the next Fallout game.
Current Development Context and Expectations
While Fallout 5’s greenlighting is a positive sign for fans, the game is not expected to be released anytime soon.
Bethesda continues to prioritise The Elder Scrolls 6, which is anticipated to launch around 2026 or later. In addition, Bethesda is working on Starfield DLC, which also occupies their core teams.
Little is known about Fallout 5’s storyline, setting, or gameplay. Given Bethesda’s track record and the long development cycles of its flagship RPGs, fans should anticipate a wait before seeing the next Fallout game.
Bethesda’s Todd Howard has emphasised the ambition to redefine role-playing and open-world games with their upcoming titles, setting high expectations for the next Fallout game.
