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Todd Howard checks his calendar, sighs quietly, and tells us all again that he doesn’t have a grudge against Obsidian or Fallout: New Vegas
Bethesda's Todd Howard has once again had to publicly deny holding any grudge against Obsidian Entertainment or its acclaimed 2010 spin-off Fallout: New Vegas, a rumour that resurfaces periodically among fans despite years of denials. The recurring nature of the question, highlighted by the article's wry framing, reflects how persistent the fan theory has become that friction between the two studios explains why Bethesda has not commissioned another externally developed Fallout spin-off since New Vegas.
Fallout: New Vegas, developed by Obsidian using Bethesda's engine and released as a stand-alone follow-up to Fallout 3, is widely regarded by fans as one of the best entries in the series thanks to its branching narrative and factional politics. Howard has repeatedly said in interviews that Bethesda holds no ill will towards Obsidian, attributing the lack of a sequel-style collaboration to other factors rather than any behind-the-scenes dispute, though the specifics of this latest reiteration were not detailed in the available article text.
In short
- Todd Howard again denies any Obsidian/New Vegas grudge rumour.
- Fan theory persists despite repeated Bethesda denials over the years.
- New Vegas remains a fan-favourite Fallout spin-off from 2010.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The persistent rumours and Todd Howard's repeated public denials might suggest underlying tension between the studios, particularly given Fallout: New Vegas's critical acclaim and the conspicuous absence of similar external spin-offs in the fifteen years since its release. If the partnership had been entirely harmonious and the business case straightforward, one might expect either a sequel or more transparent explanation rather than periodic denials that keep speculation alive.
The case against
Bethesda's lack of external spin-off commissions likely reflects ordinary business considerations rather than hidden grievance—the company may prefer maintaining creative control in-house, faces competing priorities with major franchise releases, and likely had licensing arrangements specific to the New Vegas project. Todd Howard's repeated denials simply address a persistent fan theory that resurfaces periodically; the absence of a sequel is far more parsimoniously explained by standard corporate decision-making than by simmering animosity.
Explained simply
Fallout is a long-running video game series set in a post-apocalyptic world, known for letting players make choices that shape the story they experience. In 2010, publisher Bethesda commissioned Obsidian Entertainment, another video game studio, to develop Fallout: New Vegas as a spin-off.
New Vegas was widely considered by fans to be among the best games in the Fallout series, featuring multiple storyline paths and rival groups competing for power. Over the 16 years since, Bethesda has not commissioned another outside developer to create a Fallout game, which has led to speculation about why.
A persistent theory among some fans suggests that conflict between Bethesda and Obsidian explains the lack of subsequent collaboration, though there is no public indication of any actual dispute. Todd Howard, who directs the Fallout series at Bethesda, has repeatedly denied in interviews that the studio holds any resentment towards Obsidian.