In a recent interview with Kinda Funny Games, Todd Howard, the director and executive producer at Bethesda Game Studios, shared the company's focus on finding ways to shorten the time between game releases. With Starfield released last year and The Elder Scrolls 6 currently in development, it appears that fans will have to wait longer for a sequel to 2015's Fallout 4.

Howard acknowledged the lengthy development cycles, stating, "You know, they do take a long time, and so I think one of the things we're focused on here is obviously making sure they're of the highest quality, but also finding ways to increase our output because we don't want to wait that long either, right. It's never our plan, but we want to make sure we get it right."

Amid the success of Amazon's Fallout TV series, Bethesda has been considering external partnerships for future games. When asked about partnering with external developers for projects like Obsidian's Fallout: New Vegas or mobile spin-offs, Howard confirmed that they have always been open to such discussions. He highlighted the efforts made for the show, stating, "It might seem like there isn't a big new game out, but we added content into 76 for the show. 76 has a really great map expansion that's coming this summer with Skyline Valley."

Howard emphasized the importance of delivering games at a high-quality level, focusing on maintaining the integrity of the franchise. He mentioned ongoing plans for Fallout as a franchise, including future seasons, mobile offerings, and updates for Fallout 76, while also keeping other projects in mind.

Regarding collaborations with Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind Fallout: New Vegas, Howard praised their work and acknowledged the importance of the game to Bethesda and its fans. However, he refrained from revealing any specific plans for future collaborations with Obsidian or Microsoft, who now owns both Bethesda and Obsidian.

Fans and industry insiders have speculated on the possibility of Bethesda partnering with external developers to expedite game releases and expand the Fallout universe. Some believe that Microsoft's ownership of both Bethesda and Obsidian could open up opportunities for collaborations similar to New Vegas.

As Bethesda Game Studios continues its quest to enhance its output, fans eagerly anticipate future announcements and developments. While the company remains committed to delivering high-quality games, the prospect of external partnerships may provide new opportunities for the beloved franchise.