Bethesda Vet: Todd Howard Didn't Want Another New Vegas Situation

Former Elder Scrolls designer Kurt Kuhlmann suggests Todd Howard avoided mainline-style spinoffs after Fallout: New Vegas to prevent fan division.

Ever wonder why Bethesda hasn't let another studio make a mainline-style Fallout spin-off since New Vegas? According to former Elder Scrolls designer Kurt Kuhlmann, it might be because Todd Howard didn't want to recreate that situation for The Elder Scrolls.

Kuhlmann, who worked at Bethesda for years, shared his thoughts on the Fallout: New Vegas diehards and how their intense passion might have influenced Howard's approach to future spin-offs. He said, "I don't know that Todd wanted to create that situation again for The Elder Scrolls." That situation being a beloved external spin-off that some fans hold above the main series entries.

For those who remember, Fallout: New Vegas was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and released in 2010. It quickly became a fan favorite, with many praising its writing, quests, and role-playing depth. But it also sparked endless debates about which studio "does Fallout better." That kind of division can be tough for a creator who's spent decades building a universe.

Kuhlmann's comment doesn't come from a place of malice. In fact, it's pretty relatable. If you poured your heart into a series, would you want to hand the keys to another team and risk fans saying they did it better? Probably not. And it's not just about ego—it's about protecting the vision and cohesion of a world you've built.

Of course, this doesn't mean Bethesda dislikes New Vegas or Obsidian. Quite the opposite. Senior Bethesda devs have often spoken positively about New Vegas and shown respect for their peers at Obsidian. What seems to get under their skin is the online toxicity—YouTubers and fans calling for people to be fired or impugning their character over perceived missteps.

Now, Obsidian is making a new Fallout game again, but the circumstances feel different. With all the layoffs and studio closures under Xbox, it's hard to see anyone truly winning here. The Fallout memers might have gotten what they wanted, but in a monkey's paw kind of way.

So, what do you think? Was Todd Howard right to be protective, or should Bethesda embrace more external spin-offs? Let us know in the comments!