About Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas is an action RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment. It debuted in 2010 and has become a beloved title among fans of the series. Currently, it is available on platforms including PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Quick Facts — Fallout: New Vegas
| Developer | Obsidian Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | PS5, Xbox Series X, PC |
| Genre | Action RPG, Shooter |
Challenges of a Remaster
Chris Avellone, a former creative officer at Obsidian, expressed skepticism about the feasibility of remastering Fallout: New Vegas. He stated, "I don't think Bethesda has the engineering knowhow to make a remaster of New Vegas at all." This assertion raises questions, especially considering Bethesda's success with the remaster of Oblivion.
Avellone explained that the last milestone set by Bethesda for Obsidian involved delivering all the source code for Fallout: New Vegas for $10,000. He noted, "the very last milestone Bethesda gave Obsidian Entertainment was to deliver all the source code and the ability to make the build for $10,000." However, Obsidian's studio head, Feargus Urquhart, chose not to fulfill this milestone.
Reasons Behind the Decision
Avellone suggested that Urquhart's decision may stem from financial grievances, saying, "It's not a strange decision if you feel... that the New Vegas experience cheated him out of X amount of money." He pointed out that if all assets were given to Bethesda, they could recreate the game at any time. "What that milestone really meant was if all those assets are given to Bethesda, that means they can recreate the game at any time," Avellone explained.
Despite speculation, Avellone clarified that while Bethesda might possess some aspects of the source code, many involved were uncertain about how to reassemble it. He stated, "everyone that I talked to after that period of time said they had no idea how to reassemble it." This lack of clarity adds another layer of complexity to the potential remaster.
Potential Approaches to a Remaster
Avellone mentioned that any attempt to remaster Fallout: New Vegas would likely require a unique approach, similar to the method used for Oblivion. He noted, "One of the only ways they could do [a New Vegas remaster] would involve a similar approach." With the upcoming Fallout 3 remake, Avellone sees an opportunity for Bethesda to test this process.
Future Prospects
With both Bethesda and Obsidian now under Microsoft, the dynamics have shifted. However, Avellone emphasized that ownership does not guarantee collaboration. As the gaming community continues to speculate about the potential for a Fallout: New Vegas remaster, fans may need to temper their expectations.