Fallout 5 is officially confirmed and is currently in pre-production at Bethesda Game Studios, according to a statement from studio director Todd Howard published on July 17, 2026. There is no release date yet — Bethesda's top priority remains The Elder Scrolls VI, with Fallout 5 development ramping up after that. Alongside Fallout 5, Bethesda also confirmed remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, plus a new Fallout game made in collaboration with Obsidian Entertainment.
This news arrived just weeks after Microsoft/Xbox announced sweeping layoffs across its gaming division, and Howard's statement was widely read as Bethesda setting out its future direction in that context.
Bethesda's 2026 Fallout Roadmap at a Glance
| Project | Status (as of July 2026) | Studio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fallout 5 | Pre-production | Bethesda Game Studios | Built on Creation Engine 3; no release window given |
| The Elder Scrolls VI | In active development (studio's top priority) | Bethesda Game Studios | Shares Creation Engine 3 with Fallout 5; no release date |
| Fallout 3 Remaster | Confirmed, in development | Bethesda | First official confirmation after months of rumors |
| Fallout: New Vegas Remaster | Confirmed, in development | Bethesda (with Obsidian legacy ties) | Development stage not detailed |
| New Obsidian Fallout game | Confirmed collaboration | Obsidian Entertainment | Separate from Fallout 5; details not yet announced |
| Fallout 76: Raven Rock | Planned major expansion, next year | Bethesda Game Studios | A prequel storyline tied to Fallout 3 |
What Todd Howard Actually Said
Bethesda director Todd Howard published a lengthy statement outlining the studio's future following what multiple outlets described as significant layoffs across Xbox, including at Bethesda itself. In it, Howard confirmed four Fallout-related projects moving forward at once: the long-rumored Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters, a new title being developed with Obsidian, and Fallout 5 itself, now formally in pre-production.
Howard has referenced Fallout 5 publicly since as far back as 2018, but this is the first time the game's development stage has been confirmed in this much detail. He described Fallout as one of Bethesda's biggest current priorities, while making clear that The Elder Scrolls VI remains the studio's lead project internally, with the two titles sharing the same underlying Creation Engine 3 technology.
Why This Announcement Happened Now
The timing lines up with a major restructuring at Xbox: reporting from Variety indicates the company is cutting up to 3,200 jobs — around 20% of its workforce — under new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, in what's been called the most significant restructuring in Microsoft's gaming history. Bethesda's roadmap statement reads as a response to that moment, reassuring fans about the future of its flagship franchises while the wider division contracts.
The Fallout 3 and New Vegas Remasters
Both remasters had circulated as rumors for months before this statement. Bethesda has now confirmed both are actively in development, though it hasn't detailed how far along either one is, what platforms they'll target, or pricing. Given the New Vegas anniversary attention it received in 2025, a remaster has been one of the most requested projects among longtime fans.
The Obsidian Collaboration
Separately from Fallout 5, Bethesda confirmed a new Fallout title being made with Obsidian Entertainment — the studio behind the fan-favorite Fallout: New Vegas. This confirms an earlier Bloomberg report and gives Obsidian its second official crack at the franchise. No title, setting, or release window has been shared yet.
Where Fallout 76 Fits In
Fallout 76 isn't being left behind. Bethesda confirmed a major expansion called Raven Rock, planned for next year, which will serve as a prequel tied to the original Fallout 3 story — a nod to long-time fans as the remaster of that game develops in parallel.
What's Still Unknown
- No release date for Fallout 5
- No confirmation of which internal team (beyond "Bethesda Game Studios" broadly) is leading Fallout 5 day-to-day
- No platform details for either remaster
- No name, setting, or timeline for the Obsidian Fallout project
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fallout 5 officially confirmed? Yes. As of July 17, 2026, Bethesda has confirmed Fallout 5 is in pre-production.
When will Fallout 5 release? No release date has been announced. The Elder Scrolls VI remains Bethesda's top priority, and Fallout 5 is expected to follow it.
Is there a Fallout 3 remaster? Yes, Bethesda confirmed it's in development, ending months of rumors, though no release window has been shared.
Is Obsidian making a new Fallout game? Yes, Bethesda confirmed a collaboration with Obsidian Entertainment on a separate new Fallout title, distinct from Fallout 5.
Does this affect Fallout 76? No — Fallout 76 is getting a new expansion, Raven Rock, planned for next year as a prequel to Fallout 3.
Article last updated July 17, 2026. This page will be revised as Bethesda shares further details.
