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Todd Howard Addresses “Fan Chatter” About Bethesda-Obsidian Rivalry Conspiracies
Bethesda's Todd Howard has publicly dismissed long-running fan speculation that his studio and Fallout: New Vegas developer Obsidian Entertainment harbour some kind of rivalry or animosity. Speaking in a recent interview, Howard described such "fan chatter" as unfounded, insisting there is instead "a huge amount of mutual respect" between the two studios behind the scenes. The comments matter because the alleged feud has circulated among Fallout fans for years and has coloured perceptions of how the two companies collaborate on the franchise.
The rumoured tension traces back to 2010, when Obsidian developed Fallout: New Vegas under a bonus arrangement tied to a Metacritic score target of 84; the game narrowly missed that mark due to technical issues, costing the studio a reported $1 million bonus despite widespread critical praise for its writing and design. Howard said the two companies are "always kind of wondering if we could find a way to work together in the right way," and Obsidian figures such as Chris Avellone have previously confirmed there was no lasting grudge over the missed bonus. The renewed comments come as Obsidian continues work on a new Fallout title, underlining the studios' ongoing collaborative relationship.
In short
- Todd Howard denies rumoured Bethesda-Obsidian rivalry, calling it fan speculation.
- Rumours stem from New Vegas narrowly missing its 2010 Metacritic bonus target.
- Obsidian is currently developing another Fallout game with Bethesda.
Explained simply
For years, fans of the Fallout video game series have theorised that Bethesda Game Studios and Obsidian Entertainment, the two companies behind major Fallout titles, harbour some underlying rivalry or animosity. These rumours have circulated widely among the gaming community and have shaped how players perceive the professional relationship between the two studios.
The alleged tension is believed to stem from 2010, when Obsidian developed Fallout: New Vegas under a contract that included a bonus tied to achieving a Metacritic score of 84 or higher. The game narrowly missed that target due to technical problems, costing Obsidian a reported $1 million bonus, despite receiving widespread critical praise for its writing and design.
These rumours matter because they have influenced how fans view whether Bethesda and Obsidian can effectively collaborate on future Fallout projects. With Obsidian currently working on a new Fallout title, the question of whether the studios can work together constructively remains relevant to the franchise's future.