Alright, gamers, your Lead Tech Analyst here from In Game News. We just got a fresh drop from Todd Howard, speaking with Kinda Funny, and there’s a lot to unpack for anyone invested in the future of Bethesda’s iconic franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. Let's cut straight to the chase:

  • AI Use: Bethesda is being "incredibly cautious" with AI, viewing it purely as a data analysis tool to tackle "big data tasks," not for generating in-game content. Howard emphatically states "we're not using it to generate anything."
  • TES 6 Delay: Seven and a half years post-announcement, The Elder Scrolls 6 release date is "a while yet," with Howard reaffirming his regret about the early reveal.
  • Fallout's Future: Despite the Amazon TV series hype, a new mainline Fallout game is still nowhere to be seen, though Howard confirms "multiple" Fallout projects are in the pipeline.
  • Remasters & Remakes: Howard has "softened" on remasters following Oblivion Remastered's success, but remains "sort of anti-remake" for games he personally made, valuing the original "personality" of older titles.
  • Shadow Drops & Leaks: Howard prefers "shadow drops" for announcements, stating that leaks, while annoying, have never ultimately affected a game's success.

AI's Role at Bethesda: A Cautious Hand

For many of us veteran RPG fanatics, the idea of generative AI touching Bethesda's hand-crafted worlds sends shivers down our spines. We’ve seen what even extensive procedural generation did to the perception of some of Starfield's vast, albeit sometimes barren, planets. So, our hearts collectively skipped a beat at the thought of AI-generated content in a new Elder Scrolls or Fallout game. Thankfully, Todd Howard has been crystal clear on this front, reaffirming his previous stance that AI is not generating anything inside Bethesda's studios. We believe this is a critical distinction that will reassure many in the community.

Howard clarifies that their interest in AI lies squarely in its utility for "big data tasks." As he puts it to Kinda Funny's Greg Miller, "For us, we're being incredibly cautious... [We're] kind of viewing [AI] as a tool, like an analyst, to look at the data in our games." This means things like analyzing "long-term player analysis" or procedural systems data, freeing up developers to "move on to the creative stuff." Howard champions "artistic intention" and the "hand-crafted, human intention" as "what makes things special," a sentiment we wholeheartedly endorse. While AI is "changing really rapidly," it’s clear Bethesda's current application is far from what many gamers fear most, focusing on productivity and analytics rather than content creation.

The Elder Scrolls 6 & Fallout's Future: Long Waits and Multiple Projects

Let's address the elephant in the room: The Elder Scrolls 6. It's been seven and a half years since its announcement, and Howard continues to express regret for revealing it so early. Our take? That regret is probably shared by many in the player base, as it seems we're still "a while yet" from even hearing a TES 6 release date. The long development cycles are a Bethesda hallmark, but the sheer anticipation for this title is immense.

Meanwhile, the Fallout franchise is riding a massive wave of hype thanks to the Amazon TV series. Despite this, a brand-new, mainline Fallout game remains elusive. Bethesda has been "hammering Fallout 76 with content to good effect," but fans are clamoring for a fresh single-player experience. Howard dodged specifics but reiterated that Bethesda has "multiple" Fallout projects in the works. While AI tools could, theoretically, help expedite these long-awaited titles, the prevailing skepticism around AI in game dev means any such move would carry significant reputational risks alongside potential benefits. It’s a tightrope walk for quality and fan trust.

Remasters vs. Remakes: Howard's Evolving Philosophy

On a more immediate note, Howard offered some interesting insights into remasters and remakes. After the well-received Oblivion Remastered last year, it's no surprise that Howard has "softened on the whole remaster thing." The fidelity and success of Oblivion's refresh clearly resonated, and we can't argue with results. This bodes well for the swirling rumors of Fallout 3 and/or Fallout New Vegas remasters – titles that many in our community would instantly buy.

However, Howard draws a firm line at full-blown remakes for games he personally worked on. "I'm sort of anti-remake," he states, expressing a belief that "part of the age of a game is part of who and what it is, its personality, and what it represented when it came out." We respect this artistic integrity. There's a tangible charm to playing a game as it was originally intended, even if it shows its age. It’s a nuanced stance, acknowledging the demand for modern polish while preserving the original intent.

Shadow Drops and Leaks: The Howard Doctrine

Finally, Howard touched on leaks and announcements. He’s a fan of the "shadow drop," a surprise release that catches everyone off guard. "That is my preferred method," he confesses. And who among us doesn't love a good, unexpected announcement that drops a game within hours or days?

Leaks, as Oblivion Remastered suffered from, are a frustrating part of the game development cycle for creators. "In the moment you're always pissed off," Howard admits. Yet, he holds a surprisingly pragmatic view on their ultimate impact: "I don't think a leak has ever affected the success of a game." While they might "take away" from the excitement of a planned reveal, they rarely dent sales. It's a bold claim, but looking back at some infamous leaks, it's hard to argue with the eventual commercial performance of those titles.