Few titles in the gaming industry carry the same legacy as Fallout. With its rich narrative, immersive post-apocalyptic world, and the freedom to write your destiny. The Fallout series has garnered a lot of dedicated fanbase over the years.
However, when it comes to the Fallout franchise, there’s one title that stands out as a point of discussion among fans, Fallout: New Vegas. It was a commercial success but it tempered with the established formula of the series. Even Todd Howard doesn’t want to repeat the same mistake.
Todd Howard’s Insights on the Importance of Internal Development
Fallout: New Vegas in 2010, was developed by Obsidian Entertainment rather than Bethesda Game Studios, the original creators of Fallout games. This decision was made to fill the long gap between the Fallout titles.
In an interview, Todd Howard shared his insights into the studio’s approach to game development. He explained the importance of keeping creative control internal. Even though New Vegas was undeniably a critical and commercial success, it reminded him of the pitfalls of outsourcing franchises.
While he acknowledged the quality of Obsidian‘s work on New Vegas by introducing new mechanics, narrative elements, and a different tone. But he was not fond of seeing their beloved franchise undergo changes that strayed too far from its roots. For Howard, it was not a matter of quality, it was about preserving the essence of what made the franchise special. He added that Bethesda doesn’t plan to outsource again.
I wouldn’t say never, But now that our company is so big, it’s always better to keep stuff internal … it becomes less likely, but I could never say never. I thought the Obsidian guys did a fabulous job.
By keeping development internal, Bethesda retained control over the direction of its games. This approach allowed them a more cohesive vision and a deeper understanding of what resonates with its audience.
Learning from Mistakes: Fallout: New Vegas and the Bethesda Approach
The lesson from Fallout: New Vegas serves as a valuable reminder for Bethesda and other developers in the industry. While collaboration can help produce remarkable results, there’s always a risk in entrusting external studios with cherished franchises. It’s a delicate balance between embracing change and honoring tradition, one that Bethesda keenly wants to follow moving forward.
Given some time, fans were able to adapt to the changes in New Vegas and enjoyed the game. This was another lesson that experimentation and innovation are crucial for pushing boundaries but they can sometimes alienate the hardcore fans of the series. One such thing also happened during the reception of Halo 3: ODST among Halo fans.
As Todd Howard and Bethesda are forging ahead with future projects like The Elder Scrolls VI, fans can rest assured knowing that the lessons learned from Fallout: New Vegas have not been forgotten.
