Fallout
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"Xbox is not for sale" despite all of the layoffs and neat repackaging of studios within Microsoft's corporate structure, CEO Asha Sharma says
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has denied any plans to sell the gaming division, despite recent layoffs and studio restructuring. While reports suggested Microsoft executives considered spinning out Xbox, Sharma stated the company is committed to its success and will pursue necessary partnerships and operating models. The article notes the human cost of the layoffs and mentions ongoing boycotts against Microsoft.
Xbox CEO Insists It’s Not For Sale Amid Studio Closures, Layoffs
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has stated that the Xbox division is not for sale, despite recent analyst predictions and significant studio closures and layoffs. Sharma emphasized a commitment to finding the right partnerships and operating model for success, even as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella praised the recent 'streamlining' efforts within the division.
Featuring a host of our favorite games from this year and 2 of our favorite gaming devices, you can now place your votes for the best in gaming in the Golden Joystick Awards 2026
The nominations for the 44th annual Golden Joystick Awards 2026 have been announced, with games like Resident Evil Requiem, Big Walk, and 007 First Light receiving multiple nods across 21 categories. Voting is open until October 23, and the winners will be revealed on November 11. This year's nominations are noted for their diversity, featuring both indie hits and AAA blockbusters.
The Elder Scrolls hasn't had a Fallout: New Vegas-style spin-off because of a "very protective" Todd…
Veteran designer Kurt Kuhlmann suggests that The Elder Scrolls never received a Fallout: New Vegas-style spin-off due to Todd Howard's protective stance over the franchise. Kuhlmann implies that the success of Fallout: New Vegas created a perception of competition between Bethesda and Obsidian, which Howard may have wanted to avoid repeating with The Elder Scrolls.
Weekend Discussion - September 27, 2026
This Weekend Discussion post from Shacknews reflects on various gaming topics from the past week, including retro-style shooters like Derelikt, the Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve review, and the Resident Evil Remake Trilogy on Nintendo Switch 2. It also touches on Fallout's publishing history and mentions staff writer Sam Chandler.
Evening Reading - September 25, 2026
This week's gaming news roundup includes reviews for Ace Combat 8: Wings of the Hawk and Fareidolia, updates on Hell is Us and Dawngazer, and details on Hearthstone card reveals and Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. The article also highlights new Shackmaps content, weekend download deals, and a live performance celebrating Hades II's anniversary.
Skyrim loremaster says The Elder Scrolls never got a Fallout: New Vegas-style game because Bethesda is "very protective" over its golden goose
Former Skyrim developer Kurt Kuhlmann suggests Bethesda's protective stance over The Elder Scrolls franchise prevented the creation of a Fallout: New Vegas-style spin-off. He believes Bethesda, particularly Todd Howard, wanted to avoid comparisons that favored external studios like Obsidian Entertainment, unlike what happened with Fallout: New Vegas. While The Elder Scrolls Online provided an ongoing experience, Kuhlmann implies a missed opportunity for a different kind of Elder Scrolls game.
I feel like I'm running a corner store in Dredd or Cyberpunk 2077
The upcoming cyberpunk simulation game Probably Stolen offers a deep shopkeeping experience on a dystopian space station, allowing players to trade in a wide variety of goods, from contraband to basic supplies. The demo showcases mechanics reminiscent of Papers, Please and Strange Horticulture, with elements of Dredd and Fallout in its world-building and resource management.
Tim Cain claims Vault Boy caused issues with Fallout's original publishing partner
Tim Cain revealed that the original tabletop publishing partner for Fallout, Steve Jackson Games, took issue with the mascot Vault Boy and the game's violence. This disagreement led to the deal falling through, prompting the creation of the SPECIAL system for Fallout.
Tim Cain: 'Among other things that Steve Jackson Games didn't like about Fallout was Vault Boy'
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain discussed the controversy surrounding the game's mascot, Vault Boy, and how Steve Jackson Games objected to its inclusion. Jackson's company felt Vault Boy was tonally unfitting and requested its removal, a point of contention that contributed to the breakdown of the licensing deal with Interplay.
Bethesda is Too Protective of The Elder Scrolls to Allow New Vegas-Style Spinoffs, Says Skyrim Co-Lead
Former Skyrim co-lead Kurt Kuhlmann stated that Bethesda is highly protective of The Elder Scrolls franchise, preventing the creation of New Vegas-style spinoffs. This contrasts with the Fallout series, where Obsidian Entertainment developed Fallout: New Vegas. While Todd Howard is protective, The Elder Scrolls Online has helped alleviate pressure, and anticipation for The Elder Scrolls 6 remains high, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma praising an early build.
Resident Evil is the most successful video game movie yet, and should be the template for game adaptations going forward
Zach Cregger's new Resident Evil movie is praised as a successful adaptation that prioritizes tone and atmosphere over direct character inclusion, setting a new template for game adaptations. While previous films, including the Milla Jovovich series and Welcome to Raccoon City, are criticized for their missteps, Cregger's original story is seen as a groundbreaking success that captures the spirit of the games.
Bethesda say new underlings Obsidian will retain their "distinct" creative identity, despite no longer being as free to work on their own creatively distinct series
Bethesda's Jill Braff announced that Obsidian Entertainment will now report to Bethesda, impacting its creative independence. While Braff claims Obsidian's distinct identity will remain, the article argues this structural change, especially with Obsidian working on a new Fallout project, will likely dilute their ability to create original series like The Outer Worlds or Pentiment.
Bethesda says that Obsidian's 'creative identity' will be preserved, just months after multiple projects were cancelled and it was told to make a Fallout game
Bethesda Game Studios stated that Obsidian Entertainment's 'creative identity' will be preserved following its integration into Bethesda and the cancellation of multiple projects. Despite assurances, the article expresses skepticism, highlighting recent layoffs and the shift to developing a new Fallout game after a 16-year hiatus from the franchise.
Bethesda försäkrar att Obsidian ska få behålla sin identitet
Bethesda has assured employees of Obsidian Entertainment that the studio will retain its distinct creative identity and operate as a separate team following its acquisition by Xbox. Bethesda Game Studios will continue to lead the Fallout franchise, with both studios collaborating on a new Fallout project.
Fallout's iconic Vault Boy exists because the devs were struggling to solve an old-school RPG problem
The iconic Vault Boy mascot for the Fallout series originated from a need to create distinct icons for the original game's SPECIAL stat system, which was initially based on the GURPS system. Art director Leonard Boyarsky proposed a cartoon character to represent attributes, leading to the development of Vault Boy, though objections from Steve Jackson Games ultimately led to the creation of the custom SPECIAL system.
Bethesda boss confirms Obsidian will remain a "distinct" team
Bethesda boss Jill Braff confirmed that Obsidian Entertainment will remain a distinct studio with its existing leadership following Xbox's recent studio reorganisation. This move places Obsidian under Bethesda's reporting structure, though its creative identity and strengths will be preserved. The teams will continue to collaborate on new Fallout projects.
Report: Bethesda president tells Obsidian staff it won't lose 'creative identity' after merge
Bethesda president Jill Braff reportedly assured Obsidian Entertainment staff that their 'creative identity' will remain intact following the merger into Bethesda. The move, announced by parent company Xbox, involves a change in reporting structure rather than creative oversight. Obsidian leadership will continue to lead the studio, which will report to Braff, while Bethesda Game Studios will continue to lead the Fallout franchise, with both teams collaborating on a new Fallout project.
Obsidian will keep its "creative identity" under Bethesda, Fallout and Elder Scrolls boss says in leaked memo
A leaked memo from Bethesda president Jill Braff suggests Obsidian Entertainment will maintain its creative identity while reporting to Bethesda following Xbox's recent layoffs and restructuring. Despite assurances, concerns remain about Obsidian's future, particularly regarding its original IP development and the shift towards franchise-led projects, especially with reports of layoffs and a new Fallout game collaboration.
Obsidian's "creative identity and strengths" will remain intact, promises Bethesda, as it takes control of Fallout: New Vegas studio
Following Xbox's recent reorganisation, Obsidian Entertainment is being moved under Bethesda's umbrella. Bethesda president Jill Braff assured staff that Obsidian's creative identity will remain intact, with CEO Feargus Urquhart continuing to lead the studio. This move comes as Bethesda Game Studios leads the Fallout franchise, with early work on a new Fallout project already underway.
