Video summary

I investigated Obsidian's NEW Fallout game...

Main summary

Key takeaways

News and Commentary

Overview

The video discusses a newly confirmed Fallout project developed by Obsidian Entertainment, arguing it could be a “traditional” core Fallout experience co-developed with Bethesda Game Studios. It also examines how Obsidian leadership and long-running Fallout-related priorities may have influenced the pitch and direction.

The discussion relies heavily on journalistic reports and commentary, including input from former Obsidian staff, but it also highlights contradictions—especially regarding what Obsidian originally wanted to build.

Key claims and storyline

  • Obsidian is making a new Fallout game, reportedly led by Josh Sawyer (director of Fallout: New Vegas), based on reporting attributed to Jason Schreier/Bloomberg.
  • Bethesda is involved in an “official capacity” described as a collaboration, with the creator claiming Bethesda’s involvement is hands-on, suggesting Todd Howard/Bethesda Game Studios oversight.
  • The project is early in development, with staffing and production status still in flux—especially noting that other Obsidian projects (e.g., Avowed 2) remain in progress.

Why Obsidian might want it (or be forced into it)

The creator addresses speculation framed as if Obsidian is being pressured into making Fallout (“IGN-style” framing).

The video counters this with quotes intended to show that Obsidian leadership genuinely wants to do Fallout, including:

  • Josh Sawyer: emphasizes long-standing interest in returning to Fallout, while underscoring constraints like “what are we allowed to do and not allowed to do?”
  • Fergus Urkheart (CEO): says they would make another Fallout if the opportunity arises, including a desire to do it before retirement.

The video also argues Obsidian’s recent work suggests enthusiasm for similar RPG goals—pointing to The Outer Worlds 2 and its “New Vegas inspiration” influence.

The biggest uncertainty: pivot or “Fallout” from scratch?

A major portion centers on whether an existing Obsidian project—referred to as “Codename Michigan”—is being:

  • converted into Fallout, or
  • scrapped and rebuilt.

Conflicting statements are presented:

  • Chris Avellone: cited as saying the original Sawyer-led project was intended to be Fallout, but Bethesda forced a change in direction/tone “similar to Fallout.”
  • Jason Schreier: cited as saying:
    • Michigan was not Fallout and
    • it was scrapped for a new Fallout,
    • while leaving open whether some work could carry over.

The creator suggests the contradiction matters because reusing Michigan assets could accelerate development, but it’s unclear whether anything survives.

A separate argument claims Microsoft/Xbox pitch dynamics may have made Obsidian more confident about pushing their own vision, using Sawyer’s Pentiment “greenlight” story as an analogy.

What the game might feel like (and what it probably isn’t)

Based on reporting (attributed to Jez Corden), the creator claims the game is:

  • Not isometric
  • Not described as a spin-off
  • Likely a core open-world, traditional Fallout-style experience aligned with Bethesda’s strengths

From this, the video argues:

  • It likely isn’t literal “New Vegas 2”
  • However, Obsidian’s influence should still bring deeper choice/consequence mechanics and faction nuance—noting how New Vegas handled this better than the more simplified Karma framing in Fallout 3.
  • It shouldn’t just be a “prettier New Vegas,” especially given franchise fatigue and audience division around the Fallout TV show.

Engine and modding concerns

A substantial section speculates about Unreal Engine vs Creation Engine:

  • The video claims debate occurs at higher levels about whether the project should use:
    • Unreal, or
    • Creation (Bethesda’s tech)
  • Reasoning tied to:
    • Bethesda’s remasters and hybrid approaches
    • mod support/long-term viability
    • revenue potential from mod ecosystems

The creator argues:

  • Obsidian has pipeline experience with Unreal, and switching tech could slow development
  • Bethesda may still push toward Creation Engine for business reasons
  • A key requirement may be a workable mod monetization strategy that satisfies both players and platform goals

Setting ideas: leaning toward New Orleans (not the West Coast)

The video’s leading guess for setting is New Orleans, citing:

  • Chris Avellone: claims Obsidian once considered Fallout New Orleans, and that Fallout San Francisco was also pitched (and rejected)
  • Josh Sawyer: suggests New Orleans, California, or the Midwest would be interesting, alongside claims that Fallout has limited canonical information about New Orleans (referencing Fallout 76 content)
  • Bethesda’s historical protective stance about San Francisco
  • perceived teasing patterns across other Fallout titles

The creator also floats a possible Canada-border angle, inspired by the show’s improved Canada-related storytelling—especially if “Michigan” connects to border geography.

Talent involved (“fearsome fivesome”)

The creator lists and weighs key Obsidian figures with Fallout history, noting uncertainty about how many are actively on the project:

  • Josh Sawyer (confirmed)
  • Fergus Urkheart (CEO; expected to be heavily involved)
  • Tim Cain (may be drawn to creative freedom; reportedly did not join for Fallout but wants something new)
  • Leonard Boyarsky (creative director on The Outer Worlds 2; viewed as likely in the Fallout-adjacent camp)
  • John Gonzalez (rumored to oversee Shadowrun; the creator suggests he may not be directly on Fallout depending on how Shadowrun develops)

The video emphasizes that a meaningful share of senior personnel are ex-New Vegas staff, presenting this as credibility for gameplay systems rooted in New Vegas-style RPG design.

Overall predictions and conclusions

  • The creator predicts it probably won’t be New Vegas 2
  • Expectation is a Fallout game with new exploration areas plus “old-school” strengths such as:
    • skill checks
    • meaningful player choice
    • faction ideology depth
    • potentially updated movement/vehicle possibilities
  • Timeline prediction: a 4–6 year window for visibility/release, based on Obsidian’s cadence and the need to ship something new (beyond remasters)
  • Final thesis: Obsidian/Xbox likely have genuine internal desire for this Fallout project, not purely coercion—though engine debates and the “Michigan” pivot suggest many constraints remain unknown

Presenters / contributors (as named in the video)

  • Josh Sawyer
  • Fergus Urkheart
  • Chris Avellone
  • Jason Schreier (Bloomberg reporting)
  • Todd Howard
  • Jez Cordon
  • Jordy Midler / Jordan Midler (mentioned)
  • Brandon Adler
  • Matthew Singh
  • Lord Cognito (co-host mentioned in Sawyer interview)
  • Tim Cain
  • Leonard Boyarsky
  • John Gonzalez
  • Jordan Midler (also referenced)
  • “Dr. Mattiey” (video’s presenter/author)

Original video