Fans of the Fallout series have been buzzing with excitement lately, fueled by speculation that the next installment, Fallout 5, might hit the shelves sooner than anticipated. The recent success of Fallout’s live-action adaptation on Amazon Prime Video seems to have lit a fire under Xbox, potentially speeding up the game’s development process.

The Prime Video series not only rekindled the enthusiasm of long-time Fallout enthusiasts but also drew in a new wave of fans, boosting player counts for previous titles like Fallout 4, Fallout New Vegas, and Fallout 76. This surge in interest hasn’t gone unnoticed by Xbox, who reportedly aims to capitalize on the momentum.

However, Microsoft-owned Bethesda’s ongoing commitments, particularly their focus on The Elder Scrolls 6, might pose a challenge to the expedited development of Fallout 5. While Bethesda has acknowledged the concept for Fallout 5, concrete details remain scarce.

Fortunately, Obsidian, the company that worked on Fallout New Vegas, could be there to save the day. The company’s CEO has previously expressed interest in returning to the Fallout universe, and with their upcoming projects seemingly on track for release, they could be available to helm a new Fallout title, which could be released within the current decade.

The discussion gained traction on the Xbox Two Podcast, where industry insiders speculated on the feasibility of an earlier Fallout 5 release. Despite skepticism regarding typical development timelines, the potential reuse of existing technology from projects like Starfield could facilitate a quicker turnaround.

One key question looming over the speculation is the platform for Fallout 5. With Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda, there’s uncertainty about whether the game will be exclusive to Xbox consoles and PC or if it will also see a release on PlayStation platforms.

As of now, everything regarding Fallout 5 remains speculative, with neither Microsoft nor Bethesda confirming any details. However, given the success of the Prime Video adaptation and the promising future of the Fallout franchise with a second season already greenlit, the possibility of an expedited Fallout 5 release seems increasingly plausible.

While fans eagerly await official announcements, one thing is certain: the wasteland of post-apocalyptic America has never felt more alive, and the anticipation for the next chapter in the Fallout saga is palpable.

[Via SR]