Josh Sawyer Comments on the Chance for a Fallout: New Vegas Sequel
Obsidian Entertainment director Josh Sawyer—who also served as project director and lead designer on Fallout: New Vegas—recently weighed in on the idea of him and the studio making a follow-up to the franchise’s most beloved entry. It’s a conversation Obsidian hears constantly online, since many players still treat Fallout: New Vegas as the high-water mark for the series. So when lists and debates inevitably circle back to it, Sawyer’s perspective lands right in the middle of that fan appetite.
His remarks arrive during a busy period for the Fallout brand. New Xbox leadership has reportedly signaled interest in putting more resources into major properties and accelerating production timelines, with The Elder Scrolls and Fallout called out specifically. Since Fallout 5 is expected to land after The Elder Scrolls 6, the gap between big releases is likely to feel long for players—though there are rumors that Fallout 3 and New Vegas remakes are also being prepared.
There’s also a plausible “middle ground” scenario: if an executive decides to commission another Fallout project before Fallout 5, it could fall to a different studio to keep the series moving. Obsidian, in particular, has experience doing exactly that, and it sits within the Xbox ecosystem alongside Bethesda. In other words, the idea isn’t just fan talk—it’s structurally believable.
A gaming journalist also discussed a separate item: a new, still unannounced Fallout effort said to be in development at a Microsoft studio may have been canceled.
Obsidian’s Josh Sawyer Says Fallout: New Vegas Sequel Would Be Decided By “Titans Above” Him
In a recent interview on the Human Can Opener Podcast, Sawyer explained what determines whether he’s involved in another Fallout entry. When the question came up—whether Obsidian could make another game in the series or include him in any capacity—he framed it as something handled above his pay grade.
Quick facts
- Josh Sawyer is Obsidian’s director and is known for leading Fallout: New Vegas.
- He described his role as advisory and game-direction focused, not the final decision-maker for IP plans.
- Sawyer said “titans above” him decide what happens with major properties like Fallout.
- He noted that the way things worked out for New Vegas could happen again “so who knows.”
- Fans are waiting for Fallout 5, which is expected after The Elder Scrolls 6, with remakes rumored for Fallout 3 and New Vegas.
Sawyer’s core point was simple: he’s not the person signing off on what the studio does next. “These are things that take place above my head, right?” he said, describing how his responsibilities don’t extend to final calls about intellectual property decisions. He then clarified his titles and influence—studio design director as an advisory function, plus game director responsibilities—before emphasizing that the ultimate authority sits higher up.
“I’m just a director,” Sawyer said, explaining that his design-director role is meant to advise the teams, and that his game-director position still doesn’t equate to ownership of IP-level decisions. He added that there are “titans above” him who decide what happens with franchises and related plans, and that it isn’t up to him.
When pressed on whether he’d someday wake up and discover he’s making a Fallout game, Sawyer didn’t deliver a promise—but he also didn’t close the door. His response pointed back to history: “Well, it’s how it happened with New Vegas, so who knows?”
There’s no formal confirmation here that Obsidian will take on a new Fallout project. Still, the implication is that the studio could be open to it if the decision-makers decide to assign them one. That said, Obsidian has been keeping busy across Xbox in recent years, and it still has ongoing work to consider.
On the studio’s current slate, the Grounded 2 team is reportedly continuing with new content and releases. Meanwhile, Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2 have been described as not reaching important performance targets. In that context, a Fallout return could be both an opportunity and a risk—something fans would welcome, but something that still depends on direction from the people Sawyer calls “titans.”
Once (and if) the bigger decision arrives, there are multiple paths Obsidian could take. A return to New Vegas would be a natural fit in terms of branding, especially with the Amazon Fallout series keeping the setting in active conversations. And “Fallout: New Vegas 2” would also be an easy marketing hook.
That said, there’s another compelling option tied to long-standing rumors: Obsidian building the rumored Fallout: New Orleans spiritual successor to F:NV. The franchise’s structure fits that kind of move, and the setting would provide a fresh stage for the kind of faction-driven, location-specific storytelling players associate with New Vegas.
