# 'There's a Huge Amount of Mutual Respect' — Todd Howard Dismisses 'Fan Chatter' About Purported Rivalry Between Bethesda and Fallout: New Vegas Developer Obsidian

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-17 22:07 UTC · Category: Technology

## Executive Summary
Todd Howard shuts down fan theories about a rivalry between Bethesda and Obsidian while announcing major Fallout remasters.

## Intelligence Brief
Todd Howard has publicly addressed and dismissed what he describes as fan chatter regarding purported rivalry conspiracies between Bethesda and Obsidian, the developer of Fallout: New Vegas. According to reports from GameSpot, Yahoo Tech, and PC Gamer, Howard stated that there is a huge amount of mutual respect between the two entities and explicitly denied holding a grudge against Obsidian or the Fallout: New Vegas title. These statements arrived alongside a broader set of updates regarding the future of Bethesda's intellectual properties. EGW.News further reports that Howard utilized this platform to clarify that he does not currently have plans to retire from the industry. Coverage from multiple outlets, including Engadget, emphasizes that these revelations come at a time when Bethesda is detailing the future of Fallout and other franchises in the wake of Xbox cuts. Detailed reports from 80 Level confirm that new Fallout games are in development, specifically including remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas.


Additionally, Massively Overpowered reports that Bethesda has confirmed a new expansion for Fallout 76 and intends to establish a closer partnership with ZOS regarding the Elder Scrolls franchise. The collective focus across these outlets suggests a strategic push toward legacy content and collaborative expansion. This development is significant because it addresses long-standing community speculation regarding the relationship between the primary franchise holder and the studio entrusted with New Vegas. The mention of a grudge in PC Gamer and Yahoo Tech highlights the persistent nature of these fan conspiracies. By addressing these claims while simultaneously announcing remasters of the very game at the center of the controversy, Howard is attempting to pivot the narrative toward cooperation. The context of Xbox cuts mentioned by Engadget adds a layer of corporate instability, making the confirmation of new projects and stable partnerships a critical signal to the market.


Looking forward, the industry will monitor the rollout of the Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters as promised in the 80 Level report. Observers will also be tracking the implementation of the new Fallout 76 expansion and the evolving nature of the partnership between Bethesda and ZOS for the Elder Scrolls series. Further details regarding the second season of the Fallout television series are expected, as Yahoo Tech notes that Howard has discussed the show in conjunction with these game updates. The timeline for these releases remains a key point of interest as Bethesda navigates its current corporate structure.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Engadget | Bethesda Details What's Next For Fallout And Its Other Franchises Amid Xbox Cuts | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxQSUtTY0N3OUp0NjBmb1NnZFJjXzc1WnVCU252RUZmWGc4bXVMNWdfc0R5X1RIVDFFRTZBeDQ1c2NINUhxMFBFQkhHYVJWN2lVNzlWREdXRURUTzNQZ3g3RkczTVU5M3J1d3ljdEpobXVEczIyWHJQUDJsTHU3OWVUaTNubktqbFhNN3pyTzVGQ2wzVlRGeXR5RWdldjlnLTBYYWJfVllvdTlJWEV2N0cxY1dXUQ?oc=5) |
| Massively Overpowered | Bethesda confirms new Fallout 76 expansion, closer partnership with ZOS on Elder Scrolls franchise | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizgFBVV95cUxORDhFVVE0eUh3T21pemFfTUdBaUxWRmliZWd2TXB5WkFLaFBzUTd0cUpLUXBzTE9LcWQ2bUZELUpjejRsX01YVzJRbFFmTkV6aXpxNW5nNkxYUlBRMEozZFBrZ05HOUlwZGt0UzBXUTh0X2J1REF0cGFqbnlNSUI2OXhoc1hnRkFpU1YyTmtVT0pRUkxndjhURlRLdzZsZVlUUi1FSXMzRVRXY2xacUNWX2pJRnV4R3NhU0tqMnN3aWNfZHdsOTFaSy1nM0RSZw?oc=5) |
| 80 Level | Bethesda Confirms New Fallout Games Including 3 & New Vegas Remasters | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxQek04UEpPV3hwQnhvNzdjOHp0Ty1ydGFWOURrejgwLWgzVGU2dmdOb2ZXNXFzRXQ4WWtKOVVBRUpsOGZwM1RkZk5pT0ItSUc4OGY0cE9VM0QyZlo2WnNacDBuUkg2MGNtZzBMZ0lSNTlfZUJBSXJselg5ZlN4WGh3UWl1Y3VPRUR6NXR1UC1VRVcyYUdkdUk4UjJIeXdBUDgxZDdMMnNsb0pLbjY4?oc=5) |
| EGW.News | Todd Howard Stated There Is No Rivalry Between Bethesda and Obsidian, and He Also Doesn't Plan to Retire | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxPRjZLNFRQckxvOUxCTnk3MnRsWEduQlpvVjZLVDc5QW9fbGhwQ25LWTNVY3djUC1YVncydFc5X3dzc1dhcS1kZVphdXNmd1FNN2pYWUFKUWZiVWJpWksyd2I1Z055X3cyMG94clYxQ0UyY19zcUREMTYtWE1CNzJpZktRSHZoY2FtRThwbDJPV0pFbDA0aFQ1cnd6VQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Tech | Todd Howard checks his calendar, sighs quietly, and tells us all again that he doesn't have a grudge agains... | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxOakFPbGxDMm5MQUJHV0hlS3N5eW5fWE5CeHVuUGd5R0JSWUtGSjFPR3NINFdvVFktczZ1TlFwQXR4bTNMR3Nqdnh6b181dVN6SXlEYXBKcUlTaEtaNG11TWpGTl9DanYtRmFLQ2pFQlQ3MDRlbFJLLVlyYW9saFlOOVE5YzFHTm1QS0ZzRlI5cnY?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Tech | Todd Howard Addresses “Fan Chatter” About Bethesda-Obsidian Rivalry Conspiracies | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxPdEVOaWJYSUNKZ3IydmxBNUhtNDdOYUdhWnJBZjl3WGJleFRBMUpodEktV2pBUFp6UWY3bmtuSHRheWNUMVN6NWZzVVNDUy1PY0pvMGNkSzFoMmNXb0pfVnlBNXV2QkVYQUdrd2lleGlDd2JlRzVzRkdkX0swV3NobEN0THR3S2VKN2I1cUFNTzk?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Tech | Todd Howard talks Fallout season 2, Obsidian, and Deathclaws | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigwFBVV95cUxNaFRKRmdvVERaaC1GTW5MZ09VZm5vazhBcnJ4cEQ1ZmpwalgwSlZyTGJGSEpSQ0JZVl9zUVVlcmd5S1F5N3M2c200WjhSTzB2bndsNnppYVpveTVFZnd5cWxaUFJmNkdsa01JRkRkX013eS13bmNOdjZhZ3Q5dnh0SERyYw?oc=5) |
| GameSpot | Todd Howard Addresses "Fan Chatter" About Bethesda-Obsidian Rivalry Conspiracies | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxNa0JpN2IzOXFBWFRpaVJ2NEtjR1MyNHg5LUdXWDhKX01kNllUVlI0Zl96all2ZXNzZ3RwNWVTOERBRVZvRzVmb3BCTTZzWTZZeXFKY1NLNVVkamdtdlZBTkgzeFBaWU5TUGZvbXpmSkFqWXd5ajM0LV9GMUlLR1Z4ZmpROEtCdWNwbmJiUWpZLUsybG96aWtUZUNsOU0xX1B1Mkk3YmpUVllrUXhEWFVfVFhHYw?oc=5) |
| PC Gamer | Todd Howard checks his calendar, sighs quietly, and tells us all again that he doesn't have a grudge against Obsidian or Fallout: New Vegas | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihAJBVV95cUxNam1KM0xSdEZBU0tiak5aUDlTWGhKVi1Fc2VnTFJaTnYwVUVNcjZEcldVcGtFTzRLc0lwaWk1QTE3Vklaa0tUdU1OWW0tNHpUM3NSUXlLWExHWUlfV1I4NUVpSmdDZkxidHQwRGVPdGZCN2JJeDV4Tm9qM2RjTGJIdXJBbHg4Z3NjQ05SMEdrUU1DQ0JLRmd5eER6bnU3VDhwbGhQWTl5RU94dEZkaGNUQUZUaFFIRFhsU1YwMTZlazEwLWlyVm9xcVVGY0NYY1RlX2pFVy1qQVIzNmFwbUh5V05KYXdWSDJQeDFMZFdqWlNManRETlpLeUZFcjV3Zk13c1A4dw?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-07-17/there-s-a-huge-amount-of-mutual-respect-todd-howard-dismisses-fan-chatter-about*