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Bethesda yet again reassures fans that The Elder Scrolls 6's roadmap is unaffected by recent Xbox layoffs
Bethesda Game Studios has reassured fans that the development roadmap for The Elder Scrolls 6 remains unaffected by recent Xbox layoffs. Despite reports of substantial impact from staff reductions, the studio stated that work on the highly anticipated RPG will continue as planned. The article also touches on potential remasters for Oblivion and other Fallout titles, and Bethesda's new communication strategy.
Xbox releases four original console games on PC thanks to Backwards Compatibility, but they chose the wrong ones
Microsoft has released four original Xbox console games on PC via backwards compatibility, including Fuzion Frenzy, BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Conker: Live & Reloaded. The article criticizes the selection of games and the lack of achievements at launch, suggesting more popular titles like Halo: Combat Evolved or Jade Empire would have been better choices.
Fallout 3 and New Vegas Remasters are a good start, but before Fallout 5 Bethesda could be doing so much more
The announcement of Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters highlights the long neglect of the Fallout series, with Fallout 5 not expected for many years. While new content for Fallout 76 and a potential Obsidian project are on the horizon, the article argues that Xbox and Bethesda could leverage other studios within their ecosystem to develop more Fallout titles and better manage the franchise's potential.
Bethesda says layoffs haven't affected 'the roadmap' for The Elder Scrolls 6, it hasn't forgotten Oblivion Remastered, and it's not telling you this because Asha Sharma forced it to
Bethesda Game Studios has stated that recent layoffs at Xbox have not impacted the development roadmap for The Elder Scrolls 6. The studio also confirmed plans for remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, as well as an Oblivion remaster with optimizations intended for the Nintendo Switch release that may come to PC and consoles.
Original Xbox games on PC means one less reason to buy the next console
Xbox is making original Xbox console games playable on PC, starting with Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live And Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road To Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. This initiative, which includes achievements and customizable graphics, aims to enhance backwards compatibility and game preservation. The move raises questions about the necessity of purchasing future Xbox consoles if games are readily accessible on PC.
Bethesda Montreal’s Laid Off Employees Told They Will Get Bare Minimum Severance, No Healthcare
Employees laid off from Bethesda's Montreal studio have reportedly been offered the minimum legal severance and lost healthcare benefits, according to the union OneBGS. This contradicts earlier statements about negotiating with the union. Bethesda and Xbox leadership are facing legal complaints for alleged labor law violations in Canada. Despite these issues, the company reaffirmed its focus on The Elder Scrolls 6 and upcoming Fallout projects.
Union claims Bethesda developers were laid off the day Xbox announced new Fallouts—after being told they would…
The Bethesda Game Studios Union has filed a legal complaint against Bethesda, alleging violations of Canadian labor laws. The union claims that Bethesda prematurely terminated Canadian employees on July 17, the same day Xbox announced remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, and confirmed Fallout 5 is in early development. Union representatives stated that affected employees were initially told they would remain employed until September while severance was negotiated, but instead received termination letters with the bare legal minimum severance and immediate loss of benefits.
The History of Game Pass: How the Service Became Xbox’s Greatest Weapon
Introduced in 2017, Xbox Game Pass has evolved from a niche subscription service into a cornerstone of Microsoft's gaming strategy. By offering a vast library of games for a monthly fee, including all first-party titles at launch, it significantly lowered the barrier to entry and encouraged game discovery. Acquisitions of major studios like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard further bolstered its content, while cloud gaming expanded accessibility across devices. Despite challenges like licensing and profitability, Game Pass remains a key competitive advantage for Xbox, shaping the future of game distribution and player engagement.
Pentiment director emphasizes the importance of RPG players not controlling everything
Pentiment director Josh Sawyer believes role-playing games are at their best when players have significant agency but cannot control every aspect of the world. He argues that limitations on player control can lead to more meaningful choices and a deeper connection to the game's narrative, citing examples from Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire and Pentiment itself.
Reported lead of Obsidian's new Fallout game wants you to feel a "sense of agony" when playing an RPG, rather than being an all-powerful god-splatterer
Josh Sawyer, reportedly leading Obsidian's new Fallout game, aims to create RPG experiences that evoke a "sense of agony" through difficult choices, contrasting with Bethesda's philosophy of player freedom. This difference in design approach, exemplified by Fallout: New Vegas and Bethesda's mainline titles like Fallout 4 and Skyrim, is expected to set their upcoming Fallout entries apart.
XBOX and Meta: More Ways to Enjoy XBOX Game Pass
Xbox and Meta are expanding their partnership, integrating a starter edition of Xbox Game Pass into the Meta Horizon+ subscription. Eligible Meta Horizon+ subscribers will now receive access to over 50 games, 10 hours of cloud gaming monthly, and rewards. This builds upon existing access to Xbox and Game Pass on Meta Quest devices.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake might be re-revealed this year, a new report suggests
A new report suggests that the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake, currently in development at Saber Interactive, may be re-revealed later this year. Sources indicate that development has been progressing smoothly since Saber began the project from scratch, with a potential release window of 2027 or 2028. The original game, released in 2003 by BioWare, is considered a classic RPG.
Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 fans might dread the return of Creation Engine, but New Vegas lead Josh Sawyer once called it "incredibly easy" to work with, even if it is "buggy and unstable"
New Vegas lead Josh Sawyer described Bethesda's Creation Engine as "incredibly easy" to work with, despite its known issues with bugs and instability. His past comments resurfaced amid fan concerns about the engine's use for The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5, suggesting it could facilitate faster development cycles.
"Honestly, it's still getting worse" - Valve Steam Machine engineer says component prices are still rising, potentially paving the way for a price increase
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that consumer electronics component prices are still rising, potentially leading to price increases for products like the Steam Machine and Steam Deck. This trend is also impacting consoles, with Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo having already raised prices or planning to do so. Separately, Bethesda Game Studios leader Todd Howard thanked fans for their support following recent announcements about Fallout and The Elder Scrolls projects, emphasizing that the company listens to community feedback.
"Professional lurker" Todd Howard reappears on internet forums following Bethesda's Fallout and Elder Scrolls announcements to thank fans for their support
Bethesda Game Studios leader Todd Howard has returned to Reddit after a six-month absence to thank fans for their support following recent announcements about Fallout and The Elder Scrolls projects. Howard stated that the studio is actively listening to community feedback and that many ideas come from Reddit discussions. This comes amidst news of layoffs within the Xbox division and a renewed focus on Bethesda's major franchises.
As Bethesda boss Todd Howard praises Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5's "incredible" tech team, fans aren't convinced Creation Engine 3 is a good idea: "Gonna release in an absolute buggy mess"
Bethesda has confirmed that The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 will be developed using the updated Creation Engine 3. While director Todd Howard praised the technology team's capabilities, fans expressed concerns about potential bugs and outdated mechanics like loading screens, citing past issues with Bethesda's engine. The engine's modding potential was noted as a positive by some, while others worried about the impact of recent Xbox layoffs on development.
Bethesda Director Todd Howard Says He Has No Plans to Retire Anytime Soon
Bethesda game director Todd Howard stated in an interview that he has no immediate plans for retirement, citing his passion for his work and colleagues as motivation. He also touched upon the recent layoffs at Bethesda, describing it as a difficult period for the company. Howard is currently leading development on The Elder Scrolls 6 and is involved with new Fallout projects, including remasters and Fallout 5.
Bethesda’s Layoffs Were “Really Tough”, Lets It “Focus Best” On its Franchises, Says Todd Howard
Bethesda's Todd Howard described the company's recent layoffs as a difficult experience, stating that the studio will now focus on its core franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. He also expressed excitement about working with Obsidian Entertainment again on new Fallout projects, including remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, while confirming Fallout 5 remains a long-term goal. The article also touches on industry-wide layoffs affecting Xbox and its studios.
Something for the Weekend – 18/07/26
This week's gaming news includes confirmed remasters for Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, an injury to Ryan Hurst impacting Kratos's portrayal, and an earlier release date for Hot Wheels Infinite Rush. id Software addressed recent layoffs with a positive outlook, while Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown received an expansion pass. Players are experiencing matchmaking issues with Black Ops on PlayStation, and a network test for The Duskbloods is set for August. Several games received reviews, including KAZ (9/10), Beastro (8/10), and Necrophosis Full Consciousness (7/10). New trailers were released for Marvel's Wolverine, Battlefield 6 Season 4, and Zenless Zone Zero 3.1.
Bethesda confirms new Fallout 76 expansion, closer partnership with ZOS on Elder Scrolls franchise
Bethesda Game Studios and ZeniMax Online Studios have confirmed a major expansion for Fallout 76 titled Raven Rock, serving as a prequel to Fallout 3. The studios are also entering a closer partnership on the Elder Scrolls franchise, with The Elder Scrolls VI being a priority. Additionally, Fallout 5 is in pre-production, and Bethesda is collaborating with Obsidian Entertainment on a new Fallout project and remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas.