While Fallout 5 has yet to be officially revealed, it seems highly unlikely that Bethesda has forgotten one of its most popular series.
With Starfield only having just been recently released, however, it makes sense that Bethesda would be keeping its Fallout plans on the back burner, at least for now.
Ranking among the best RPGs of recent memory, Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 offered memorable, and deeply affecting stories. Reinforced by generous environmental storytelling, these games have been some of the most immersive sci-fi offerings to ever grace a hard disk.
Though information on a potential sequel is scarce, there are scattered morsels of information here and there which we've collated for your reading pleasure. Read on to learn everything we know about Fallout 5.
Fallout 5: cut to the chase
- What is it? The next installment of the Fallout franchise
- When can I play it? TBC
- Which console will it be on? Likely not PlayStation
Fallout 5 story and setting: where could it be set?
If you've ever played a Fallout game, you'll know the series revels in its nuclear-ravaged American setting. Fallout games have all been set in a US state, so it would stand to reason this aspect wouldn't change. Fallout 3, for example, was set in Washington while Fallout 4 took place in Boston.
It would be nice to see Fallout explore different parts of the world, but that might change the game up too much and alienate long-term fans who are particularly fond of the setting. For those looking for a different experience, however, modders have been hard at work crafting their own takes on other locations in the Fallout universe. You don't have to look far to see fans discussing and fantasizing about where Fallout 5 will take place.
It is possible that a new Fallout game could be set in New Orleans given that a trademark application for 'Fallout New Orleans' was spotted online way back in 2016.
We've already visited swampy areas in Fallout, but a game set entirely around the deep South would certainly be an interesting take, especially given New Orleans' distinctive urban environments.
Fallout 5 news
Fallout 5 is coming after The Elder Scrolls 6
In an interview with IGN, Todd Howard 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 doing Fallout 5 after that, so our slate’s pretty full going forward for a while" Howard told the publication. "We have some other projects that we look at from time to time as well."
Work has begun...sort of
Work has started on Fallout 5 but don’t hold your breath for seeing it any time soon. Speaking to IGN in November 2021, regarding the impending release of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Anniversary Edition, Bethesda studio director Todd Howard revealed that a “one-pager” design document was already in place for Fallout 5, being a very early blueprint for what the studio has planned for the game.
Being a “one-pager”, the design document is a high-level outline and there is, therefore, little to share. With Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6 both up first, it’ll be a while before we hear more about Fallout 5.
As for whether or not Obsidian—the studio which handled development duties on the Xbox 360-era Fallout: New Vegas—could have some involvement, Howard said "We've worked with other people from time to time. I can't say what's gonna happen...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 really say today or commit to anything... other than [the fact that] our cadence is Starfield then Elder Scrolls 6".
Since we will likely be waiting several years for Fallout 5, you may enjoy our list of the best upcoming games in 2023 and beyond to give you something to look forward to in the meantime.
