Bethesda has shared a long-awaited update on the future of the Fallout franchise, confirming that Fallout 5 is officially in development—but fans shouldn’t expect to play it anytime soon.

The update came during a company briefing following Microsoft’s recent Xbox layoffs, where Bethesda director Todd Howard outlined the studio’s roadmap and revealed where Fallout 5 currently stands.

Fallout 5 Has Entered Preproduction

According to Howard, Fallout 5 is currently in preproduction, meaning development is still in its earliest stages.

While Fallout remains one of Bethesda’s biggest franchises, Howard described Fallout 5 as a “long-range destination,” suggesting that the next mainline entry is still several years away.

Bethesda also revealed that there are currently at least four Fallout projects in development, but Fallout 5 appears to be the project furthest from release.

The Elder Scrolls 6 Remains Bethesda’s Main Focus

For now, Bethesda’s attention remains firmly on The Elder Scrolls 6.

Although the game was first announced back in 2018, updates have been scarce over the years. Howard confirmed that the majority of Bethesda’s development teams are currently dedicated to bringing the next Elder Scrolls adventure to life.

“With over 65 million copies sold, players are still exploring Skyrim 15 years later, but we know it’s been a very long wait for the sequel. The next chapter is on the way. We’re where we planned to be, loving how it looks, and playing it every day.”

While no release date was announced, Howard’s comments make it increasingly clear that The Elder Scrolls 6 will launch before Fallout 5.

Plenty of Fallout Content Is Still on the Way

Even though Fallout 5 remains years away, Bethesda confirmed that fans won’t have to wait nearly as long for new Fallout experiences.

The studio revealed that several Fallout-related projects are currently underway, including:

• Fallout 3 Remastered
• Fallout: New Vegas Remastered
• A brand-new Fallout game being developed by Obsidian Entertainment
• Fallout 5, currently in preproduction

This means Fallout fans can expect multiple returns to the post-apocalyptic universe before the next numbered entry finally arrives.

A Long Wait Ahead

While the confirmation of Fallout 5 is certainly exciting, Bethesda has made it clear that patience will be required.

With The Elder Scrolls 6 remaining the studio’s highest priority and Fallout 5 only just entering preproduction, the next mainline Fallout adventure is still likely many years away.

In the meantime, remastered classics and an all-new Fallout project from Obsidian should help keep fans busy while Bethesda continues building the future of two of gaming’s biggest RPG franchises.