# 'There's a Huge Amount of Mutual Respect' — Todd Howard Dismisses 'Fan Chatter' About Purported Rivalry Between Bethesda and Fallout: New Vegas Developer Obsidian

> **Newsylist Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-18 00:29 UTC · Category: Technology · Sources: 10 · Current Velocity: 8.7

## Executive Summary
Todd Howard denies rumored tensions between Bethesda and Obsidian while confirming an ambitious pipeline of upcoming Fallout and Elder Scrolls titles.

## Intelligence Brief
Todd Howard has dismissed fan theories regarding a rivalry between Bethesda and Obsidian Entertainment, the developer of Fallout: New Vegas, stating there is a "huge amount of mutual respect" between the two. In addition to addressing these rumors, Howard stated he has no plans to retire.


Coverage from IGN, GameSpot, and PC Gamer emphasizes Howard's dismissal of "fan chatter" and "conspiracies" regarding grudges. Simultaneously, reports from TechPowerUp, PCMag, and GamesIndustry.biz detail Bethesda's future roadmap, which includes The Elder Scrolls 6 and four Fallout games currently in development.


Upcoming projects specifically mentioned include Fallout 5, a Fallout 3 Remaster, and a new expansion for Fallout 76. Coverage also notes a closer partnership with ZOS regarding the Elder Scrolls franchise and mentions of Fallout season 2.

## Verified Facts & Key Claims
### What specific Fallout projects are currently in development?
Bethesda has confirmed Fallout 5, a Fallout 3 Remaster, and a new expansion for Fallout 76 are on track.

### How did Todd Howard describe the relationship with Obsidian?
Howard dismissed reports of a rivalry or grudge, stating there is a "huge amount of mutual respect" between the companies.

### Are there other franchises mentioned in Bethesda's roadmap?
Yes, The Elder Scrolls 6 is in development, and there is a closer partnership with ZOS for the Elder Scrolls franchise.

## Key People, Organizations & Locations
There, Track, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Bethesda, Obsidian, Todd Howard, Huge Amount of Mutual Respect, Todd Howard Dismisses Fan Chatter About Purported Rivalry Between Bethesda and Fallout New Vegas Developer Obsidian, Fallout New Vegas

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Published (UTC) | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| TechPowerUp | Bethesda Confirms 4 Fallout Games in Development Alongside The Elder Scrolls 6 | 2026-07-17 21:00 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxNZ1FzOGZfRWJiNnhPTHE3U0NONjVxelFaUkptc3BHOE9KQ3V4QV9MMkVVWEVlR2NFelZtdld0dHJNWGRBT2FXNkk3LWpCS0FJaldZck1CQmI5UThxNHZaSTE4OHlYUmo3M0hLNkhPTlVtMFNWVkN2UDUzZnliMHI1Z3NjQ1ZLVDlqbWxRNTJraXdLSEs1bDhkUHR5dXZiazdXcHZ4UDZPT3N5OWJSRnM4cWJwTdIBuAFBVV95cUxPZkhtNWpmZFpxSldnaEV3T1R6V21lUjJSdHhDQjZJdlM0bGFYMVFJdG1CWVNmMkNYeFBSTWRQcDNGQWx6cUh6b0Rob1hBb1MybTBQc3BCUk56WnRmQ1c0OTlXWndUYnBOUUpMcUFvdkwxMUltV1BDVDNpcWRWSmtHNjY1UWpucWNhTnoxbXZLNXNiakpUNlMtckNjWkRLQkN) |
| Engadget | Bethesda Details What's Next For Fallout And Its Other Franchises Amid Xbox Cuts | 2026-07-17 21:00 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxQSUtTY0N3OUp0NjBmb1NnZFJjXzc1WnVCU252RUZmWGc4bXVMNWdfc0R5X1RIVDFFRTZBeDQ1c2NINUhxMFBFQkhHYVJWN2lVNzlWREdXRURUTzNQZ3g3RkczTVU5M3J1d3ljdEpobXVEczIyWHJQUDJsTHU3OWVUaTNubktqbFhNN3pyTzVGQ2wzVlRGeXR5RWdldjlnLTBYYWJfVllvdTlJWEV2N0cxY1dXUQ?oc=5) |
| Massively Overpowered | Bethesda confirms new Fallout 76 expansion, closer partnership with ZOS on Elder Scrolls franchise | 2026-07-17 21:00 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizgFBVV95cUxORDhFVVE0eUh3T21pemFfTUdBaUxWRmliZWd2TXB5WkFLaFBzUTd0cUpLUXBzTE9LcWQ2bUZELUpjejRsX01YVzJRbFFmTkV6aXpxNW5nNkxYUlBRMEozZFBrZ05HOUlwZGt0UzBXUTh0X2J1REF0cGFqbnlNSUI2OXhoc1hnRkFpU1YyTmtVT0pRUkxndjhURlRLdzZsZVlUUi1FSXMzRVRXY2xacUNWX2pJRnV4R3NhU0tqMnN3aWNfZHdsOTFaSy1nM0RSZw?oc=5) |
| PCMag | Bethesda: Fallout 5 and a Fallout 3 Remaster Are Still on Track | 2026-07-17 21:00 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxNSi1COU5DeW5ZQWZJTlBOekM0MF9TNFlBM1JKVzg2UkN4aWpvdi1ucWZZTnhJTVJQVE8ydHFkS3Y1M2JWeGZQcUJoLVJKYWNUM2N2WVRpNzByb28yeHc3bGlENkFTWWs5ZjFtaUxjbFNmcmRWUFRyanBSOUd1eEw4ejhJR0sxN1B6c0p5aHZaNkkxZzg?oc=5) |
| GamesIndustry.biz | Bethesda reveals plans for Fallout 5, The Elder Scrolls 6, and more | 2026-07-17 21:00 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxQaEJXNDlFNE03enc2ZTlUX25aV2o3U2x1MHNFN0dqNEFOSTFGamEzMlctUE4wSGh6aHNLalRqMFdacWtPOXRQQWYtRUtfYU9OYnNiNGtGSTVWbFpDQTZfNUdTYUpWT3c5Y2xhODNKMEdnQnp3RU5ObXdSNkpaeFM1TTJieWZIUXgwS2tWNVgwYXFBeG44b2luZXZDdw?oc=5) |
| EGW.News | Todd Howard Stated There Is No Rivalry Between Bethesda and Obsidian, and He Also Doesn't Plan to Retire | 2026-07-17 15:45 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxPRjZLNFRQckxvOUxCTnk3MnRsWEduQlpvVjZLVDc5QW9fbGhwQ25LWTNVY3djUC1YVncydFc5X3dzc1dhcS1kZVphdXNmd1FNN2pYWUFKUWZiVWJpWksyd2I1Z055X3cyMG94clYxQ0UyY19zcUREMTYtWE1CNzJpZktRSHZoY2FtRThwbDJPV0pFbDA0aFQ1cnd6VQ?oc=5) |
| PC Gamer | Todd Howard checks his calendar, sighs quietly, and tells us all again that he doesn't have a grudge against Obsidian or Fallout: New Vegas | 2026-07-17 15:45 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihAJBVV95cUxNam1KM0xSdEZBU0tiak5aUDlTWGhKVi1Fc2VnTFJaTnYwVUVNcjZEcldVcGtFTzRLc0lwaWk1QTE3Vklaa0tUdU1OWW0tNHpUM3NSUXlLWExHWUlfV1I4NUVpSmdDZkxidHQwRGVPdGZCN2JJeDV4Tm9qM2RjTGJIdXJBbHg4Z3NjQ05SMEdrUU1DQ0JLRmd5eER6bnU3VDhwbGhQWTl5RU94dEZkaGNUQUZUaFFIRFhsU1YwMTZlazEwLWlyVm9xcVVGY0NYY1RlX2pFVy1qQVIzNmFwbUh5V05KYXdWSDJQeDFMZFdqWlNManRETlpLeUZFcjV3Zk13c1A4dw?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Tech | Todd Howard talks Fallout season 2, Obsidian, and Deathclaws | 2026-07-17 15:45 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigwFBVV95cUxNaFRKRmdvVERaaC1GTW5MZ09VZm5vazhBcnJ4cEQ1ZmpwalgwSlZyTGJGSEpSQ0JZVl9zUVVlcmd5S1F5N3M2c200WjhSTzB2bndsNnppYVpveTVFZnd5cWxaUFJmNkdsa01JRkRkX013eS13bmNOdjZhZ3Q5dnh0SERyYw?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Tech | Todd Howard checks his calendar, sighs quietly, and tells us all again that he doesn't have a grudge agains... | 2026-07-17 15:45 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxOakFPbGxDMm5MQUJHV0hlS3N5eW5fWE5CeHVuUGd5R0JSWUtGSjFPR3NINFdvVFktczZ1TlFwQXR4bTNMR3Nqdnh6b181dVN6SXlEYXBKcUlTaEtaNG11TWpGTl9DanYtRmFLQ2pFQlQ3MDRlbFJLLVlyYW9saFlOOVE5YzFHTm1QS0ZzRlI5cnY?oc=5) |
| GameSpot | Todd Howard Addresses "Fan Chatter" About Bethesda-Obsidian Rivalry Conspiracies | 2026-07-17 15:45 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxNa0JpN2IzOXFBWFRpaVJ2NEtjR1MyNHg5LUdXWDhKX01kNllUVlI0Zl96all2ZXNzZ3RwNWVTOERBRVZvRzVmb3BCTTZzWTZZeXFKY1NLNVVkamdtdlZBTkgzeFBaWU5TUGZvbXpmSkFqWXd5ajM0LV9GMUlLR1Z4ZmpROEtCdWNwbmJiUWpZLUsybG96aWtUZUNsOU0xX1B1Mkk3YmpUVllrUXhEWFVfVFhHYw?oc=5) |
| IGN | 'There's a Huge Amount of Mutual Respect' — Todd Howard Dismisses 'Fan Chatter' About Purported Rivalry Between Bethesda and Fallout: New Vegas Developer Obsidian | 2026-07-17 15:45 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAJBVV95cUxPX19mTU96dHQ3cFlta2ZzZzJZNWh0akxVcnpEcldXbFd6NmJpWTg4ejhkb3dRclptR3lqT3d1STNXVmxCMnhRX1BXY20zN244VHQ5TVBjSDR6c1ZkWm1IX0Rtc3ZPVWxiMlh2MEloa2dGWkl2c29jMjREZ01MMDNseXM0T1dxYnloUEV3WTVBV250LTNNVGtKUElidG9PcWp6RXJxX3EtTEpveEZfLU05QW5iWF92b2x5Z3JvMWlBTlc4RlhUaHhuQXNOZ2JaNmkzNmhneXMzSkRudm1NS2I2TDBTRjBwN0E1dFRnWnROM205WnAxdmU2bjY5V1hBU200emFJTml1V00?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://www.newsylist.com/trend/2026-07-18/there-s-a-huge-amount-of-mutual-respect-todd-howard-dismisses-fan-chatter-about*
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