New Xbox Boss’s ‘Reset’ Button Pressed on Fallout and Elder Scrolls Games
Asha Sharma, the new Xbox boss, has reportedly sped up development on new The Elder Scrolls and Fallout games, aiming to revitalize Microsoft’s gaming business. As a result, fans are eagerly awaiting the next installment in the beloved post-apocalyptic franchise, but one former developer has sounded a warning about the risks of releasing new games too quickly.
The last mainline Fallout game, Fallout 76, was released in 2018, and it has been over a decade since Fallout 4 came out. The long-awaited Fallout 5 is still in the works and is expected to arrive after The Elder Scrolls 6. Meanwhile, a remastered version of Fallout 3 or New Vegas could be a possibility, or even a Fallout: New Vegas 2 as a stopgap measure.
Quality Over Speed: Former Dev’s Concerns
Bruce Nesmith, the lead designer of Skyrim and a former Bethesda developer, has expressed concerns about the potential consequences of speeding up game development. In an interview with FRVR, he stated, ‘In my opinion, the biggest risks of shortened schedules are quality, reduced features, polish, or bugs. The things that are done last end up getting set aside to complete the game on time.’
Nesmith’s warning is echoed by the fact that faster development times often result in lower-quality games, which can lead to fan disappointment and fatigue. Fans of the Fallout series have been eagerly waiting for new content, but a hasty release could have negative consequences for the franchise’s reputation and player satisfaction.
Obsidian’s Potential Involvement in Fallout Games
One potential solution to the dilemma of releasing new games quickly is to involve other studios in the development process. Microsoft-owned developer Obsidian, which is known for its work on Fallout: New Vegas, could potentially be tasked with creating a new Fallout game or spin-off. In an interview with The 41st Precinct, Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer expressed his willingness to work on a new Fallout game, but emphasized that it would be up to the higher-ups at Microsoft to make that decision.
Obsidian has been without a new announced project since the failure of Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2 to meet commercial expectations. However, the studio’s recent success with Grounded 2 has shown that they are still capable of producing high-quality games. A collaboration between Obsidian and Bethesda could be a winning combination, bringing a fresh perspective to the Fallout franchise and satisfying fans’ cravings for new content.
Xbox’s New Strategy and Its Implications
Asha Sharma’s ‘reset’ button has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, with Microsoft reassessing its investment in externally developed games. The company has reportedly pulled funding for IO Interactive’s upcoming fantasy project, but Hideo Kojima’s Xbox horror game OD remains safe from the chopping block. Microsoft’s new strategy is focused on investing in its most popular franchises, including Fallout and Elder Scrolls.
The Information has reported that Sharma plans to ‘boost spending on new Xbox games from its most popular franchises to excite die-hard fans,’ while also making significant layoffs. This shift in strategy is likely to have a significant impact on the gaming industry, with fans eagerly awaiting new content from their favorite franchises.
As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the stakes are high for the next installment in the Fallout series. Will Microsoft’s new strategy pay off, or will the pressure to release new games quickly result in a disappointing experience for fans? Only time will tell.
