Fallout
News, coverage and analysis tracking Fallout across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Only 16 Fallout: New Vegas developers still work at Obsidian, says RPG's original writer
Only 16 developers who worked on Fallout: New Vegas are still employed at Obsidian Entertainment, according to the game's original writer. The studio is currently developing a new Fallout title.
Making Fallout and Elder Scrolls games will "be harder than ever now" following Xbox cuts, say laid-off Bethesda devs calling loss of institutional knowledge "staggering"
Former Bethesda Game Studios developers report that recent layoffs at Xbox, impacting dozens of staff, will make developing core franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls significantly harder. They expressed concern over the staggering loss of institutional knowledge and its potential impact on future projects, including The Elder Scrolls 6.
"I don't know how anyone remaining at Xbox Studios can feel safe" - New report reveals environment of uncertainty and fear, and a "staggering" loss of institutional knowledge
A new report details an environment of fear and uncertainty within Microsoft's Xbox Studios following recent layoffs, with employees unsure of future cuts and the impact on game development. Studios like id Software and Bethesda Game Studios have lost significant talent, raising concerns about the loss of institutional knowledge and the ability to maintain core franchises and proprietary technology.
'The entire thing is going to fall apart:' Inside the latest round of mass layoffs at Xbox
Microsoft's Xbox division has conducted its fifth round of mass layoffs since 2023, impacting 3,200 employees across studios like Bethesda, ZeniMax Online Studios, and id Software. Employees describe the process as cruel and self-defeating, with swift video calls and disabled communication channels. The cuts have led to significant loss of institutional knowledge, particularly concerning id Software's proprietary id Tech engine and the development teams for major franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls.
Fallout Keychain Companion Collection Available Now on Official Bethesda Gear Store
The Fallout Keychain Companion Collection, featuring mascots like Slocum's Joe, Blue Brahmin, and Nuka-Cola, is now available on the Official Bethesda Gear Store. The store also restocked the popular Slocum's Joe Dough Boy Oversized Plush. DPI Merchandising LLC, which specializes in gaming merchandise, powers the store.
Fallout: New Vegas writer says he feels "embarrassed" by some of the Fallout TV show dialogue, but has no…
Fallout: New Vegas writer Chris Avellone expressed embarrassment over some dialogue in the Fallout TV show, feeling it doesn't meet the quality of game writing. While he praised the cast and the show's fun factor, Avellone believes some Hollywood writers struggle to respect the source material and context of game franchises, leading to missed opportunities.
Obsidian: "Vi har fortfarande samma dna som vid New Vegas och KOTOR"
Obsidian Entertainment's Brandon Adler addressed criticism regarding the studio's current identity, stating that despite recent layoffs and shifts in project focus, the core 'DNA' remains the same as when they developed games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Fallout: New Vegas. He emphasized that many lead developers are still the same individuals who worked on previous acclaimed titles.
Xbox’s ‘Reset’ – What its Franchise-First Future Could Look Like | IGN Opinion
This opinion piece explores Xbox's potential future strategy of releasing its major franchises more frequently, including titles like Halo, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout. It suggests ways Xbox could leverage its resources to achieve this goal.
Fallout: New Vegas level scaling is designed to teach players that "this is not actually Fallout 3," Josh Sawyer says: "You're going to get your ass handed to you if you're not careful"
Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer explains that the game's level scaling was intentionally designed to differ from Fallout 3, aiming to teach players that the world is more dangerous and unforgiving. This approach, inspired by the original Fallout, allows for more open-ended exploration with difficulty gates, encouraging players to level up before tackling certain areas.
Obsidian game director reacts to people "spouting off" about the studio and how it's not what it "used to be"
Obsidian Entertainment director Brandon Adler defended the studio's current identity amidst recent layoffs and external criticism. He emphasized that the core team and creative DNA remain consistent with the studio's history, despite changes and project shifts, including a new Fallout game.
Avowed 2 Is Still Being Worked On, Reaffirms Jason Schreier
Despite reports of cancellation, a small team at Obsidian Entertainment is still working on Avowed 2. The project is being kept alive while the studio awaits further assignments on Fallout projects, according to Jason Schreier.
Summary: what's happening at Xbox?
Xbox announced a major restructuring involving 3,200 job cuts, with 1,600 immediate layoffs, primarily affecting ZeniMax studios like Bethesda and id Software. Several studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, are being sold off or spun out as independent entities. This move aims to refocus on high-earning franchises and improve profit margins, impacting the development of upcoming titles like The Elder Scrolls 6 and potentially State of Decay 3.
Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re Making
Xbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.
Can a top-down, focused software strategy save Xbox? | Opinion
Xbox has undergone significant layoffs and studio closures, impacting 20% of its workforce and five internal studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine. This strategic shift, led by Asha Sharma, aims to address financial issues and improve first-party development, though the article questions the effectiveness of these measures and criticizes the company's past spending and treatment of developers.
'I find myself in the novel position of looking for a job' — 27-year Bethesda veteran who designed Skyrim's humanoid races and a Microsoft dev behind Xbox backwards compatibility have been laid off
Xbox has undergone a significant restructuring, leading to the layoff of thousands of employees, including industry veterans Christiane Meister from Bethesda Game Studios and Kevin LaChapelle from Xbox. Meister, who designed races for The Elder Scrolls series, and LaChapelle, a lead developer for Xbox's backward compatibility, are now seeking new employment. This wave of layoffs also affected studios like Compulsion Games and Ninja Theory.
Avowed 2 Has Not Been Cancelled Following Layoffs at Obsidian – Rumor
Despite recent layoffs at Obsidian Entertainment and rumors of cancellation, former co-founder Chris Avellone has stated that Avowed 2 is still in development and the studio hopes to "re-pitch" the concept. While some projects are being re-evaluated, expansions for The Outer Worlds 2 are still planned, and Grounded is continuing development.
How to Play the Fallout Games in Chronological Order
This guide details how to play the Fallout games in chronological order. It helps players experience the series' narrative progression from the beginning.
'All options are on the table, considering the drastic measure already put in place' — Could Microsoft sell Xbox? Analysts say it's too expensive for that, but that it could be dismantled piece by piece
Industry analysts are discussing the potential sale or dismantling of Microsoft's Xbox division amidst a significant restructuring. While a full sale is considered unlikely due to its high cost, analysts suggest that individual studios or intellectual properties might be sold off piecemeal. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has acknowledged the business is 'not healthy' and is implementing changes to improve its financial performance and strategic direction.
What will another Obsidian Fallout game even look like all these years on? Here's my attempt to read the radioactive tea leaves
Following reports of Obsidian Entertainment being redirected to work on a new Fallout game, this article speculates on what such a title might look like. It considers how the studio could innovate within the series, potentially by exploring new settings and gameplay mechanics, while acknowledging the influence of the recent Fallout TV show and other modern RPGs.
"Great job Microsoft": Former id Software artist says the legendary dev has been "relegated to support studio size" after Xbox's strategy of "nuking a team into the dirt"
Former id Software artist Derek Best stated that Microsoft's recent layoffs have reduced the iconic FPS developer to a support studio size. Best, who was among the 136 employees laid off, criticized Microsoft's strategy, noting the significant loss of institutional knowledge and the impact on the id Tech engine team. The layoffs have raised concerns about the future of id Software's core franchises like Doom and Quake.
