Bethesda Responds to Fallout 4 Next-Gen Update Absence

Posted 2023-08-13 18:50:31

In a recent Twitter interaction with a fan, a representative from Bethesda Softworks has finally provided insight into the status of the long-awaited next-gen update for Fallout 4. Details about the specific contents of this update remain relatively scarce, although it is expected to encompass enhanced graphics and expansions to Bethesda's Creation Club system.

Originally launched in 2015 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, Fallout 4 garnered a generally positive reception from critics and fans. However, it faced the challenge of following in the footsteps of Fallout: New Vegas, developed by Obsidian Entertainment—a company now under Microsoft's umbrella, just like Bethesda. New Vegas is often regarded as a standout entry in the Fallout series due to its robust narrative elements and emphasis on impactful player choices.

While Fallout 4's visuals have held up well over the years and can achieve 60 FPS at 1080p on capable gaming PCs, it has lacked 4K resolution support. Bethesda's announcement in late 2022, commemorating Fallout's 25th anniversary, unveiled plans for a next-gen update featuring Performance and Quality modes. Despite revealing this update, Bethesda refrained from specifying a release date, only indicating that it would arrive at some point in 2023. With most of 2023 already behind us, a fan inquired about the update's progress in a Twitter exchange with Pete Hines, the Senior Vice President of Global Marketing & Communications at Bethesda Softworks.

Hines' response, which could be interpreted as slightly brusque, candidly explains why prioritizing an update for an eight-year-old game takes a back seat to more urgent projects within the studio—specifically, Starfield. Starfield stands as Bethesda Game Studios' first original intellectual property in over two decades and its maiden release since Fallout 4's debut in 2015. With Starfield's launch just around the corner (on September 6), it's reasonable to imagine that the studio is fully engaged in ensuring a successful launch for this highly anticipated title.

Speculation among fans has arisen, suggesting that Bethesda might be holding off on the promised next-gen update to align its release with the debut of Amazon's Fallout TV series, featuring actors like Walter Goggins and co-showrunner Jonathan Nolan from Westworld. While no concrete evidence supports this theory, potential plans may have been impacted by ongoing writers' and actors' strikes. Alternatively, Bethesda could be prioritizing the completion of its first major release in nearly a decade.

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