Bethesda has officially announced remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, ending years of speculation and providing a long-awaited update on Fallout 5. The announcement came via a blog post on Bethesda's website, though no release dates or concept art were shared.
Remasters Confirmed Amid Fan Demand
Following the release of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, fans anticipated similar treatment for older Fallout titles. A Fallout 3 remaster had been an open secret since 2023, and rumors of a New Vegas remaster or sequel had circulated. Bethesda's blog post confirmed both remasters, noting a special plan for Fallout's 30th anniversary in October 2027, though the company may reveal more before then.
Fallout 5 and Starfield Updates
Bethesda stated that Fallout 5 is in pre-production, but The Elder Scrolls 6 remains the priority and is progressing well: “We’re where we planned to be, loving how it looks, and playing it every day.” The post also confirmed that Obsidian Entertainment, developer of New Vegas, is working on a new Fallout project alongside Bethesda, though details on whether it is New Vegas 2 are unclear.
Surprisingly, Bethesda reaffirmed commitment to Starfield, calling it “an important part of our future.” The game boasts “over 17 million players logging almost a billion hours to date,” with additional DLC promised for next year.
Damage Control Amid Xbox Layoffs
The announcements are widely seen as damage control following massive Xbox layoffs earlier this month. Approximately 1,600 employees were let go, with another 1,600 expected to be impacted by June 2027. The layoffs have worsened Xbox's reputation, making promises of fan-demanded remasters a strategic move. Critics note that Microsoft, which owns Obsidian, could have greenlit a New Vegas project years ago.
In an interview with Windows Central, Todd Howard, director of Elder Scrolls and Fallout, addressed the layoffs: “I’ve been doing this a long time, whenever you’ve worked with people for, in some cases, many decades, and they’re no longer here, that’s really personally very difficult, and difficult for our teams. … I think we’re at another change moment for how we support each other, and what we do with these games and for our fans.”
