After releasing Fallout 4 and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, Bethesda has teased it is working on something new. According to job listings, that something new may be an online multiplayer game. While the job listings are real, it should be noted that everything else is pure speculation.
As found on the ZeniMax website, Bethesda is looking to hire a Senior Core Tech Engineer. This is a fairly high-ranking position that helps maintain, optimize and extend Bethesda’s core engine technology. While this sounds like a standard position for any game, the “Desired Skills” section gives some clues about what this person would be hired to work on.
The biggest clue pointing to what this mystery game could be is the bullet point “Experience developing for online multiplayer environment.” This pretty much proves that whatever game Bethesda is working on next, will have some sort of multiplayer component to it. The job listings for a Senior Server Engineer and a Backend Services Engineer also back up the claim that some sort of multiplayer is coming.
So what could this be? According to interviews with Bethesda’s Todd Howard and Pete Hines, we know the developer is working on two new AAA experiences, and neither of them are Elder Scrolls VI. Given how adamant the studio is about NOT working on Elder Scrolls VI, it’s likely this is true.
If you want to dig way back, you may also remember that Bethesda was in a legal battle with Interplay over the rights to a Fallout MMO. The issue was finally settled in 2012, with ZeniMax CEO Robert Altman saying “While we strongly believe in the merits of our suits, we are pleased to avoid the distraction and expense of litigation while completely resolving all claims to the Fallout IP. Fallout is an important property of ZeniMax and we are now able to develop future Fallout titles for our fans without third party involvement or the overhang of others’ legal claims.”
This is why a Fallout-related MMO would make the most sense from Bethesda. Copying the success of Elder Scrolls Online, which is getting a big update on June 6, a Fallout Online could maintain the base-building aspects of Fallout 4 while giving players the opportunity to explore a vast, new wasteland.
Our 2017 #BE3 Showcase is sure to be one wild ride. We’ll let you know how you can score a ticket soon & join in on the fun! Stay tuned!! pic.twitter.com/7QqIuOGGST
— Bethesda (@bethesda) April 5, 2017
As for whatever is coming, we’ll probably be given a tease or two on June 11 when Bethesda hosts its annual pre-E3 press event. Called “Bethesdaland” this year, tickets will be available soon and the event will be live streamed for those who cannot make it. More details on tickets and a schedule of events will be coming closer to the event.
So what do you think? Do these clues point to a Fallout MMO? Do you think Bethesda is working on something else? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
