Recent industry reports suggest that Fallout 5 may have officially been “fully greenlit,” but this development may have come at the cost of Project Blackbird. This news has generated excitement among Fallout fans, especially following the massive success of the franchise’s recent TV adaptation, which has expanded its audience significantly.
The Fallout series, launched by Interplay Entertainment in 1997, became iconic over the years. After Bethesda acquired the rights, they produced incredible titles like Fallout 4 and Fallout 76.
Released in 2015, Fallout 4 achieved remarkable sales, with over 12 million units sold, eclipsing its predecessors. However, since that release, fans have not seen any new mainline single-player entries in the series.
In a recent discussion on the Xbox Two Podcast, Windows Central’s Jez Corden commented on the future of Fallout, indicating that while Fallout 5 has been given the green light by ZeniMax, it remains unclear which studio will take on the development. Corden noted that all of Bethesda’s major teams are currently occupied with Starfield DLC and The Elder Scrolls 6.
Unfortunately, he reported that Fallout 5’s confirmation followed the cancellation of Project Blackbird, an ambitious MMO that faced high development costs and stiff competition in the market. Consequently, more resources have been reallocated to ensure the success of Fallout 5.
As for Fallout 5 itself, details are sparse at this stage. There are, however, suggestions of multiple projects in the works at Bethesda, including a potential remaster of Fallout 3.
Meanwhile, the primary focus remains on The Elder Scrolls 6, which Todd Howard recently assured fans is progressing, though it is not expected to release until 2027 or later. As enthusiasts await these titles, Bethesda Game Studios continues to invite players into the expansive world of Fallout 4, where they can create their unique adventures.