Bethesda Game Studios’ leader, Todd Howard, has reignited excitement for Fallout 5 by mentioning that the franchise is currently receiving the most attention and development effort within the studio.

Howard’s remarks are partly in reference to Fallout 76, an online multiplayer game that has been actively developed since its rocky launch in 2018. While it has been years since Bethesda released a main single-player Fallout title—Fallout 4 debuted in 2015—the team dedicated to Fallout has been consistently working since then, not just on Fallout 76.

“We’ve had a dedicated team on Fallout for quite some time now. The franchise remains our primary focus,” Howard stated in a conversation with Game Informer.

He also noted that the bulk of their internal studio resources is currently directed toward The Elder Scrolls 6. However, he assured fans that additional Fallout projects are in the works and that announcements would come when the time is right. “We understand fans’ eagerness for news, but we prefer to wait until we can make those announcements memorable.”

Bethesda previously disclosed that Fallout 5 will follow the release of The Elder Scrolls 6, which was first mentioned when Fallout 76 launched. Development for Elder Scrolls 6 is now in full swing, with some fans optimistically hoping for a 2027 release, although that timeline may be overly ambitious. It’s likely that the announcement of Fallout 5 will come later in its development cycle, reminiscent of the brief lead-up to Fallout 4’s launch.

The landscape at Bethesda Game Studios has also evolved significantly since the release of Fallout 4. Fallout 76’s foray into multiplayer marked a notable shift for the studio, while Starfield represented their boldest effort yet with a completely original intellectual property. Both games faced challenges upon release, requiring substantial updates and improvements thereafter—experiences that have undoubtedly shaped the studio.

Angela Browder, the studio director, emphasized the lessons learned from these projects. “Every title we’ve worked on serves as a learning opportunity. With Fallout 76, we’ve gained insights into multiplayer dynamics and what it means to launch a product that doesn’t initially perform as expected,” she shared. “We also learned about engaging with our community and how to adapt in the face of adversity.”

Speaking about Starfield, Browder reflected on the monumental task of creating a space setting, stating, “We conquered our fears of space—something daunting—and utilized our lessons from Starfield as we develop Elder Scrolls 6. Each experience has enhanced our skills as developers.”

Additionally, Bethesda has been involved with the Fallout TV series, the first season of which premiered last year, with a second season kicking off this month and a third already approved. The show has been well-received, maintaining the spirit of the franchise by juxtaposing its dark, unforgiving world with an absurdly upbeat tone. Howard has indicated that Fallout 5 will tie into the TV show’s timeline, set in a period that either follows or coincides with the series.

Given the current momentum around the Fallout universe, the primary question remains: when will fans see Fallout 5? The anticipation is building, and many are eager to make their predictions.