Rafomac News, Tech & Trends That MatterBethesda has pulled back the curtain on its future Fallout projects, including the long-awaited Fallout 5 and remasters of Fallout 3 and New Vegas. Meanwhile, Xbox experiments with ad-supported game streaming, sparking debate across the industry.
Where Fallout Is Headed Next
Bethesda has finally confirmed what many fans have been waiting years to hear: Fallout 5 is officially in pre-production. Alongside this, they announced remasters of both Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas are in development, though no release dates were shared. The New Vegas remaster, in particular, holds special significance given the beloved status of the original game and speculation about a New Vegas sequel.
This hefty Fallout lineup includes an expansion for Fallout 76, Raven Rock, arriving next year as a prequel to Fallout 3. Bethesda also revealed a collaboration with Obsidian Entertainment on a new Fallout project. Obsidian’s Josh Sawyer is reportedly leading this effort, fueling hopes it could be a true Fallout New Vegas successor.
The Elder Scrolls franchise isn’t left out. Bethesda is partnering closely with Zenimax Online to create new content for The Elder Scrolls Online, reassuring fans amid recent layoffs at Zenimax. Meanwhile, Bethesda Game Studios remains focused on The Elder Scrolls 6, which currently commands the majority of its development resources and shares the new Creation Engine 3 technology platform with Fallout 5.
Despite Xbox’s recent mass layoffs, Bethesda pledged continued support for Starfield with fresh DLC and modding enhancements. Over 40% of players currently engage with Creation Club content, underlining Bethesda’s focus on long-term player-driven experiences.
Changes and Challenges at Bungie with Marathon
Bungie is shaking things up with Marathon. The game’s director Joe Ziegler, who took over in 2024 after Christopher Barrett’s exit, has now left. Replacement roles have been assigned to veterans Dell Shaft III and Julia Narden, promising a new creative direction. Marathon recently launched a PvE mode called Vault Breaker to attract more players, boosting concurrent users briefly from 1,000 to around 15,000 before numbers slid again.
This pivot towards PvE feels counterintuitive to some, given Bungie’s prior success with Destiny’s PvE content. Marathon was meant to capture the PvP audience Destiny left behind, but that strategy is now being repositioned as a co-op PvE shooter.
Xbox Experiments with Ads in Game Streaming
Xbox also made waves with a new experimental feature offering ad-supported game streaming sessions to non-Game Pass users, limited to one-hour playtimes punctuated by ads before each session. This feels less about consumer demand and more like Microsoft testing its ad tech platform for future monetisation models, possibly hinting at an ad-supported Game Pass tier down the line.
Industry insiders shared mixed feelings about Game Pass’s long-term impact. Mike Brown, creative director of Maverick Games, lamented studios closing despite huge investments in the subscription model due to insufficient subscriber numbers. Others criticized Game Pass for devaluing games, potentially harming perceived market value—a sentiment echoed by former Xbox studio leadership.
Industry Updates and Game Releases
In other news, Nintendo is fighting a class action lawsuit over tariff-related price hikes, arguing consumers willingly paid agreed prices amid complex trade developments. On the hardware front, Valve engineers confirmed ongoing difficulties sourcing memory components for Steam Machines due to supply challenges.
Notable games releasing soon include the remastered Halo: Campaign Evolved hitting PC, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles on July 28, with a notable engine switch to Unreal Engine 5. Indie titles such as Mistfall Hunter, a dark fantasy action RPG, and Tractor Corn is Supporting Me from Another World, a bizarre truck-driving JRPG hybrid, are also launching this week.
Looking Ahead: More Than Just Games
Gaming communities have grown too, with This Week in Video Games celebrating a year of delivering ad-free, expertly curated content with a team of industry insiders and exclusive columns. They’ve expanded into short-form videos and launched a lively Discord for player discussion.
This continued growth illustrates a demand for quality journalism in gaming—free of clickbait and clutter—supported by fans who value genuine, well-researched voices. As Bethesda’s Fallout projects gather momentum and industry shifts unfold daily, it’s clear the future holds plenty for players and creators alike.
