Obsidian Pitched Elder Scrolls Spin-Off to Bethesda, But It Was Turned Down - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 January 2024 / 4,449 Views
Obsidian Entertainment co-founder Chris Avellone via Twitter revealed the developer had proposed a spin-off The Elder Scrolls title to Bethesda, however, it was turned down.
"One of the Elder Scrolls proposals (which I pitched) was intended to serve the same function as [Fallout: New Vegas] did between [Fallout 3] and [Fallout 4], to provide more adventures in the setting during the years before the next Bethesda release," said Avellone via Twitter.
"I thought it couldn't hurt to try and push a similar system to what Treyarch/Activision had going with Call of Duty at the time (but hopefully less rushed). Bethesda could do a core release, then we'd release a [The Elder Scrolls] title (in same world or a divergent timeline/era) before the next big [Bethesda] push.
"Probably less relevant now that Elder Scrolls Online is going, but at the time, it seemed to be something that could benefit both studios. Not surprisingly, it didn't gain much traction - I never got the impression [Bethesda] was happy with [Fallout: New Vegas]'s reception (good and bad)."
Obsidian did develop 2010's Fallout: New Vegas.
I thought it couldn't hurt to try and push a similar system to what Treyarch/Activision had going with Call of Duty at the time (but hopefully less rushed).
— Chris Avellone (@ChrisAvellone) December 18, 2023
Bethesda could do a core release, then we'd release a TES title (in same world or a divergent timeline/era) before the…
Not surprisingly, it didn't gain much traction - I never got the impression Beths. was happy with FNV's reception (good and bad).
— Chris Avellone (@ChrisAvellone) December 18, 2023
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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I totally get that '(good or bad)' bit at the end. A lot of fans preferring New Vegas to Fallout 3 probably didn't go down well at Bethesda, but on the other hand the criticism it got from others for being a 0.5 sequel also probably wasn't a good seen as being good for the franchise internally.
Big mistake
Maybe for the better, as this leads to Avowed and Obsidians creativity unleashed, unhindered by Bethesda.
What could have been........Fallout New Vegas was an amazing accomplishment for only having a year and a half of development time. An Elder Scrolls spin off with a higher budget and proper development time could've been magical!
Although Avowed is no longer Obsidian's Elder Scrolls, it's still the next best thing we're gonna get.
Obsidian and Bethesda never get along lol
Why dont they work on their damn ips, create something , than always beg bethesda.
They are now. Pillars of Eternity series, The Outer Worlds, and Avowed now. All since Fallout New Vegas.
Not like they aren't creating new ips despite also wanting to do FO.
Don't forget Grounded
