Fallout 5 has been confirmed as another Bethesda project after The Elder Scrolls 6, which itself is prioritized after Starfield, so at least a few years off. That didn’t stop fans from theorizing and speculating while they were waiting. After all, Fallout is extremely popular.
The last time we saw a Fallout main title was in 2015 Fallout 4. The latest entry in the series was 2018’s network-focused Fallout 76, so it makes sense that another single-player Fallout adventure is on the horizon.
Aside from a very rough studio roadmap for future titles, all we know about Fallout 5 is that, as of November 2021, there is a one-page design document acting as a very early plan. We also know that the game will be built on the new Bethesda Creation Engine 2. In addition, we expect Fallout 5 to be exclusive to Xbox, following Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda in early 2021.
While the information is scarce at the moment, there are still many rumors and alleged leaks indicating what we can see in Fallout 5. Read on to find out everything we know about Fallout 5 so far – as well as what we’d like to see from the next chapter of the Wasteland.
Fallout 5: get to the chase
- What is this? The next installment of the Fallout series
- When can I play it? TBC
- What console will it work on? Probably not a PlayStation
Fallout 5 release date and platforms
While there is currently no confirmed release date for Fallout 5, there is a lot of speculation. We’ve seen some optimistic predictions, but given Bethesda has a strong focus on Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6, whether the game isn’t even revealed, we’re not expecting it for a long time.
In the current situation, we expect the Fallout 5 release date to be many years away, which will really extend the previous seven-year gap between Fallout 3 (2008) and Fallout 4 (2015). 2025 or later seems more realistic at the moment.
It depends on how far Bethesda’s teams are in each game. However, given that in an interview with IGN in November 2021, Todd Howard said the studio has a “one-page version of Fallout 5” – a broad rundown of what they want it to be – we think it will be a while before hearing something more.
Moreover, by talking to IGN (opens in a new tab) in June 2022, Howard confirmed Fallout 5 would be a Bethesda project after The Elder Scrolls 6. Considering that this game is still in pre-production and will probably be released in a few years, we imagine we can wait a long time for the next Fallout.
The platforms for Fallout 5 have not been confirmed, but we’ll probably see another Fallout launch on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC. If we’re not looking at next-gen consoles at this point, that is. The PS5, however, is another matter.
It’s understandable that Microsoft and Bethesda would make this title exclusive because the former bought the latter. However, Xbox said exclusive deals for new Bethesda games will be settled on a case-by-case basis, so it’s hard to be sure. At least we should expect Fallout 5 to be an Xbox Game Pass title.
Given that consoles’ lifecycles typically last around seven years, it seems likely that Fallout 5 will arrive on these systems before the rollout of the next next-gen systems.
Fallout 5 location and setting: where can it be set?
If you’ve ever played Fallout, you know how much he loves his American, nuclear-ravaged scenery. All Fallout games were set to the US state, so it seems this aspect will not change. For example, Fallout 3 was set in Washington and Fallout 4 was set in Boston.
It would be nice to see Fallout explore different parts of the world, but it can change the game too much and alienate longtime fans who particularly like the scenery. You don’t have to look far to see fans discussing and fantasizing about where Fallout 5 will take place.
Here are the most famous places we have heard rumors about so far:
New Orlean
Rumors that a new Fallout game would be set in New Orleans began after a trademark filed for “Fallout New Orleans (opens in a new tab)‘was noticed on the Internet in 2016. Ultimately, this auction resulted in nothing more than five years later, but it could all be a clever bait and change.
We’ve already visited the swampy grounds in Fallout, but a game set entirely in the far south would certainly be an interesting approach.
Chicago
This one is a bit more “there” in importance. Owning the game in Windy City is only speculated as Fallout: New Vegas fans remember there is a clue about an Enclave outpost in Chicago.
Anywhere else in the world
There has never been a Fallout game from the United States, so can Fallout 5 stand up to the trend? Having the game in Korea, China, Russia or elsewhere would provide a great way to change the look of the entire map and location. The new version is a great opportunity to give the franchise a fresh aesthetic.
Fallout 5 Multiplayer: Will It Be?
Online multiplayer and co-op
Each Fallout main game was designed for one player only. Fans have probably always loved wandering the apocalyptic wasteland with their friends, but when it was tried in Fallout 76, it didn’t turn out very well.
Fallout 5 would probably only be created as a single player experience considering how the Fallout 76 team is constantly updating and trying to improve the multiplayer experience on their online service. Given 76’s turbulent history, Fallout 5 would likely suffer too much from “bad” multiplayer. Looks like Bethesda may want to avoid it now.
This doesn’t mean there will be some social features missing. There may be a social system like we’ve seen in games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne where you leave messages for other players to give them clues (or trolls), but that might be out of place in the Fallout universe.
Fallout 5 news and rumors
Fallout 5 is coming after The Elder Scrolls 6
In an interview with IGN (opens in a new tab)Todd Howard has confirmed that Fallout 5 will be Bethesda’s next project after The Elder Scrolls 6.
“Yes, Elder Scrolls 6 is in pre-production and, you know, we’re going to be making Fallout 5 after that, so our board will be pretty full for a while,” Howard said in the publication. “We also have other projects that we look at from time to time.”
Work has started … sort of
Work on Fallout 5 has started, but don’t hold your breath to see it any time soon. I’m talking to IGN (opens in a new tab) in November 2021, With the upcoming release of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Anniversary Edition, Bethesda Studio Director Todd Howard revealed that the “one-page” design document was now ready for Fallout 5, a very early blueprint for what the studio had planned for the game.
Being a “one-page” project, the design document is a high-level outline, so there is little to share. With Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6 in number one, it will be a while before we hear more about Fallout 5.
Regarding whether Obsidian – the studio that developed Fallout: New Vegas for the Xbox 360 era – could have any involvement, Howard said, “We’ve worked with other people from time to time. happened … If I could wave my hand and have [Fallout 5] out … you know, I’d like to find a way to accelerate what we do, but I can’t say or commit to anything today that happens when Starfield is off our beat and then Elder Scrolls 6 ”.
Fallout 5 new engine
Bethesda has confirmed that it has updated its engine that was previously used to create The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, Fallout 3, Skyrim and even Fallout 4. As we all know, the engine used in these games, Creation Engine, was …, in janky at best. It was full of numerous animation issues and there was something wrong with all of the character’s designs and movements.
According to Bethesda, this new engine, simply called Creation Engine 2, is used to create Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6. According to GamesRadar (opens in a new tab)the new engine introduces new renders, lighting, animations (Hallelujah), landscape system and photogrammetry.
Todd Howard spoke of the engine following the Microsoft merger announcement in 2021, saying: “It has led to our biggest engine overhaul since Oblivion, with all the new technologies driving our first new IP in 25 years, Starfield as well as The Elder Scrolls 6.”