Obsidian proposed multiple Elder Scrolls spin-offs similar to Fallout: New Vegas

by Danny Craig · 12/18/23, 2:08 PM
Obsidian proposed multiple Elder Scrolls spin-offs similar to Fallout: New Vegas
Obsidian Entertainment

Veteran game writer Chris Avellone has revealed that during his time at Obsidian Entertainment, the studio had proposed several Elder Scrolls spin-offs to fill the gap between Bethesda’s main releases.

The details:

  • On his X account, Avellone confirmed that Obsidian pitched multiple Elder Scrolls titles to Bethesda, all of which were rejected. This included a game that was "intended to serve the same function as FNV did between F3 and F4, to provide more adventures in the setting during the years before the next Bethesda release."

  • The plan, according to the writer, was to release an Obsidian spin-off in between the major Bethesda releases, which would either take place in the same world or in a different timeline. Avellone mentioned that one idea was for a game set in an alternate Elder Scrolls world where the previous mainline game's hero failed his mission to save it, implying that we may have seen a darker theme in some of the studio's projects.

  • Despite being panned for its bugs, New Vegas has gone on to be regarded as the best 3D Fallout game, with deeper RPG mechanics than those found in Bethesda's entries, although it was created in around 18 months. It's unknown what led to the dismissal of Obsidian's idea, though fans believe that the positive reaction to Fallout: New Vegas from both critics and fans may have contributed to the dismissal of the idea, or that Bethesda simply wanted to prevent oversaturation.

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