Bethesda is said to have entered preproduction on Fallout 5, signalling the developer is starting work on the next main entry in the long-running RPG franchise. Fans eager to return to the post-apocalyptic universe have been thrilled by the update, but the studio’s main development focus remains Fallout 5 is still a few years from release so The Elder Scrolls 6 could be a few years from release too.

The reported development status said Bethesda was currently preparing for the project, setting the stage with the core ideas, technology and design goals before going into full production. As with any game in preproduction, features, timelines and gameplay systems could change dramatically before launch.

Fallout 5 in development early on

Preproduction is an important phase of game development. It’s where the project’s overall direction is set. This is the phase where teams usually focus on initial concepts, world building, story planning, gameplay mechanics and technical foundations before full production begins.

That probably means Bethesda is bouncing around ideas for the setting, factions, quests and role-playing systems of Fallout 5. Fans are starving for official details but the studio has not yet publicly revealed the game’s location, story or gameplay features.

However, as the project is still in the early stages, players shouldn’t expect a release date or gameplay reveal for a while.

Bethesda Remains Focused On The Elder Scrolls 6

Bethesda has always said that even with Fallout 5 in preproduction, The Elder Scrolls 6 is still its main priority. The much-rumored fantasy RPG was formally announced a number of years ago and is widely believed to be the studio’s next flagship title.

By putting its development resources into The Elder Scrolls 6, Bethesda can get one major project out of the way before moving bigger teams onto Fallout 5. This development strategy fits with the studio’s approach to past releases, investing most of its resources into one big role-playing game at a time.

That said, Fallout fans may have to wait until The Elder Scrolls 6 is further along before serious work on the next Fallout title can begin.

Following the recent popularity of Fallout, expectations are high

The Fallout franchise has seen a meteoric rise in popularity in recent years thanks to ongoing support for its existing games and a resurgence of interest from new audiences. Fans want more of an open world, more role-playing systems, more choices for the player and graphics that look modern, powered by the latest technology from Bethesda.

Many players also want to see improvements in combat, character progression, settlement building and companion interactions, while keeping the exploration and freedom that has been a hallmark of the series for decades.

Bethesda hasn’t revealed any of the gameplay details yet, but there’s a lot of anticipation due to the franchise’s popularity.

Official Details A While Off

Fallout 5 is supposedly in preproduction, so official announcements will probably be rare for the near future. We’re waiting for the next chapter in the Fallout series, but for now, Bethesda’s public updates will likely be dominated by The Elder Scrolls 6.

When the time comes, fans can expect Bethesda to open up more on the game’s setting, story, gameplay systems, and technical improvements through official showcases and developer presentations.

Until then, players should treat early development reports as indicators of long-term planning, not indicators of an imminent release.

Bethesda’s Roadmap Is Very Far Away in the Future

The fact that Fallout 5 is in preproduction is a good sign of Bethesda’s long-term commitment to one of its most successful franchises. Fallout 5, however, is still a long way off, especially as The Elder Scrolls 6 remains the top priority on the studio’s roadmap.

The wait may be long, but getting into pre-production is a big deal and means the next chapter in the Fallout series is inching forward. Fans won’t get any more concrete information until Bethesda is ready to shift its primary focus away from The Elder Scrolls 6.

Sources

• Bethesda Softworks – Official announcements regarding game development, studio news and upcoming releases are made on the official Bethesda website and newsroom.
• Xbox Wire – Xbox Wire has the official news on Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda titles, developer announcements and upcoming releases.
• IGN – provides game development updates, industry news, interviews, previews and big announcements from top game studios.
• GameSpot – GameSpot covers upcoming games, news from developers, RPG news, and release information for major gaming platforms.
• Eurogamer – Eurogamer is your source for the inside scoop on game development, studio roadmaps, industry analysis and Bethesda news.