Todd Howard feels outsourcing Bethesda IP like Fallout to external developers no longer makes sense for the studio.
In interview with The Guardian, Howard and vp of marketing Pete Hines discussed the future of Bethesda’s biggest titles. While the studio handed out the Fallout IP to RPG veterans Obsidian Entertainment to create 2010’s Fallout: New Vegas, Howard told the outlet it wasn’t a deal Bethesda planned on repeating.
“I wouldn't say never,” said Howard. “[But] now that our company is so big, it's always better to keep stuff internal ... it becomes less likely, but I could never say never.”
It doesn’t look like Bethesda holds any resentment towards Obsidian’s handling of its properties either. “I thought the Obsidian guys did a fabulous job,” added Howard.
Bethesda is indeed keeping multiple large projects in internal development, with Fallout 76 due to drop November 14th.
The studio has confirmed that the multiplayer adventure doesn’t mark a departure from its trademark sprawling RPGs. We’ll still be seeing future entries in The Elder Scrolls, although we know very little about how 6 will turn out.