A statement from Todd Howard outlines the studio's strategy for greater collaboration and a focus on user-generated content
Image credit: Bethesda Softworks News by Lewis Packwood Features Editor Published on July 17, 2026 Follow Bethesda Softworks Todd Howard, executive producer and game director at Bethesda Game Studios, has published a note outlining the company's plans over the coming years, including Fallout 5 and The Elder Scrolls 6, as well as remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, and a Fallout Shelter TV show.
The strategy is closely focused on evolving existing franchises, as well as emphasising user-generated content. "We're investing more deeply in the worlds players love, giving creators a bigger role in shaping their experiences, and bringing our teams closer together so we can get our games into your hands sooner, support them longer, and continue building them alongside you for decades to come," said Howard.
"We've believed from the beginning that our worlds belong not only to the people who make them, but also to the people who play them. That's why we've long provided players with the tools to create their own experiences, dating back to the Morrowind Construction Set. This year marked another major milestone for Creations with its expansion to Fallout 4, joining Skyrim and Starfield. We're proud to say Creators have already earned more than $10 million in royalties from their work."
In terms of the plans for Fallout, Howard said the franchise was one of the studio's biggest priorities, noting that Fallout 4 has now sold more than 35 million copies. "Fallout 5 remains our long-range destination," he said, "and we have multiple Fallout projects in active development right now."
These projects include the Raven Rock expansion for Fallout 76, which is due next year and which offers a prequel story to Fallout 3. In addition, Howard promised further seasons for Fallout Shelter, which has now surpassed 250 million players. "An unscripted Fallout Shelter television project is also in the works with our partners at Amazon Studios and Kilter Films," he said, adding that production on season three of Amazon's Fallout show is already underway.
"We also know many players want to revisit previous Fallout experiences," said Howard. "While we're not announcing any dates today, we have been working on remasters for both Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas."
In addition, Howard promised something special for Fallout's 30th anniversary in 2027, "when Fallout Day will be celebrated live in Washington, DC."
The note emphasised collaboration among studios, confirming that Obsidian is working on a new Fallout project, as previously reported .
"We're also bringing our teams closer together across Bethesda," said Howard. "ZeniMax Online Studios will partner closely with Bethesda Game Studios on The Elder Scrolls franchise, while continuing to deliver incredible new experiences for The Elder Scrolls Online." He promised more ESO to come in the future.
"By aligning more directly across the franchise, we can create even better experiences for players," he said. "Bringing our teams closer together is helping us build a stronger foundation for everything we create next."
Howard said that both The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 are being developed using Creation Engine 3, the same technology used in Starfield, and noted that Fallout 5 is in preproduction. But he said that The Elder Scrolls 6 is our "primary development focus", and th...