Former Fallout: New Vegas writer criticizes Bethesda for ‘not understanding’ the series’ roots
Fallout faces a paradox in 2026. While the Amazon series shines, fans have been waiting for a decade for a new game in the franchise. In this scenario, Chris Avellone, lead writer of the acclaimed Fallout: New Vegas, dropped a bombshell. He stated, in recent social media discussions, that Bethesda Game Studios, owner of the IP, does not understand the origins of the post-apocalyptic series or simply does not care about them. This statement, made in early January, rekindles an old debate in the community and sheds light on the future of the franchise, which hasn’t had a main title since 2015.
Avellone explained his view directly. For him, Bethesda’s approach has turned Fallout into a “colorful and shallow theme park,” with occasional exceptions in DLCs like Far Harbor. The writer, however, notes that if players are having fun, that’s fine. The criticism comes at a peculiar time: the TV series prepares its second season in Las Vegas and rumors about a remaster of New Vegas gain strength. Therefore, the analysis by a central figure in the franchise is crucial to understanding the artistic direction the series has taken and where it might go.
The legacy of New Vegas and the remaster rumors
Avellone’s words resonate strongly because Fallout: New Vegas is often cited as the pinnacle of the series’ narrative and complex moral choices. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the game carries the DNA of the original Interplay titles, something that, in the writer’s view, has been lost. Meanwhile, Brazilian fans remain hopeful for a new chapter or, at least, the return of the classic. Several insiders claim that a remaster of New Vegas and Fallout 3 is in development, following the success of the re-release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion last year.
With an Xbox event scheduled for the coming weeks, the chance of an announcement is not zero. Thus, the controversy created by Avellone may, in fact, serve as extra fuel for the hype. If Bethesda is indeed focused on The Elder Scrolls 6, a remaster would be a smart way to keep the community active. In the end, the love for the games is what unites the fans, even amidst fierce criticism about the soul of the series. The question that remains is: what is the next step for Fallout in gaming?
