Prior to founding Zenimax Online and working alongside Bethesda on The Elder Scrolls Online, former ESO lead Matt Firor was working on a Fallout Online. Before Bethesda’s acquisition of the series in 2007, Firor scoped out, planned, and acquired investment for the would-be MMO.
Obviously, Fallout Online never came to fruition, although Bethesda would make its own MMO-like experience with Fallout 76, which Firor also assisted on. In an episode of the MinnMaxx podcast, Firor—who left ZOS following mass layoffs in 2025—revealed that Bethesda’s acquisition of the Fallout IP essentially killed the project.
“I was, in fact, [working on Fallout Online]”, the MMO veterans explains. “I had gotten some promised investment. I was pitching a publisher, Brash Entertainment, which existed for about six weeks in that time-frame. And I was talking directly with the head of Interplay”.
Firor explains that he already “had a design” for the game, although he didn’t detail what those plans were. However, as plans were coming together and budgets were settled, the MMO lead simply stopped hearing back.
“He just went totally dark on me,” he recalls as discussions with Interplay ceased. “Like, wouldn’t return my calls or emails. And then, like four weeks later, the headlines: ‘Bethesda acquires rights to Fallout!’ And I was like, ‘Oh, God’”.
This eventually led to the cancellation of Fallout Online just as development almost began. It’s also not the first time an MMO based on the franchise was axed. In fact, following Bethesda’s acquisition of the Fallout IP in 2007, Interplay still attempted to make their own MMO based on the franchise. As expected, a lengthy legal battle ensued.
Despite the cancellation of his game, Firor still loves the Fallout IP, and was actively involved in Fallout 76. “I’m such a huge fan of Fallout, I’ve always been,” he says. “I played Fallout 1, probably, once a year for 17 straight years. I’m not kidding. I’ve loved that IP forever and, you know, working with Bethesda was fantastic ‘cause I got to work with the guys that were doing it”.
While the community often points to Bethesda as being a problem for Fallout, Firor believes that the series is safe under the studio. “It’s in totally good hands”, the ESO creator says. “I played the sh*t out of 76. I love that game. I’ve played them all, and they’re great. So, I don’t think I have anything else to add.”
Firor confirms that his sadly-cancelled next MMO, Project Blackbird, “was not Fallout” related in any way. Additionally, the creator has faith that the next Fallout game—whenever that ends up releasing—will be great, although they understand why fans are upset with the wait for a new entry.
“It’s just like every other game,” he says. “I mean, I’m sure Todd [Howard[ has been asked about this many, many, many times, right? And his answer is always going to be, ‘ready when it’s ready’. And that’s their philosophy and that’s the way they do it. And, you know, when you’ve been as successful as that group has over the years, I think that’s what it is”.
While fans will likely be waiting years for a new Fallout game, as Elder Scrolls 6 is next on the studio’s release structure. On the other hand, Bethesda has committed to “years” of additional updates for Fallout 76 which should add new locations, stories, and more to the MMO.
Right now, there’s no concrete information on Fallout 5, although New Vegas writer Chris Avellone says the ongoing TV show is “laying the groundwork” for the next entry. All that’s known about the game is that it will be built in a new version of the studio’s Creation Engine, and the team will not be using Generative AI.
The next major Fallout release, outside of the TV show, is expected to be Fallout 3 Remastered. Reportedly in development alongside a remake of New Vegas, leaks claim that the 2008 RPG will be brought back with new Unreal Engine 5 visuals.
