In the wake of the highly anticipated Fallout TV series premiere, fans of the iconic gaming franchise are experiencing a wave of nostalgia and excitement. The debut of the Amazon series has reignited interest in the post-apocalyptic universe and propelled several Fallout games to new heights of popularity.
Following the Amazon series launch, multiple Fallout titles have witnessed a significant spike in player numbers on Steam. Over the weekend, even the 2015 release Fallout 4 managed to break into Steam’s top 20, boasting a peak player count of 83,491. Additionally, Fallout 76, the online spin-off, reached a new record peak on Steam, with 39,455 concurrent players on Sunday.
The surge in player numbers across Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and Fallout: New Vegas has been highlighted by SteamDB’s Twitter account, revealing that concurrent player numbers more than doubled following the TV show’s debut. Furthermore, industry analyst Mat Piscatella noted that Fallout 76 is experiencing its highest engagement rate on Xbox Series X/S since October 2022.
The availability of Fallout games for free to Amazon Prime subscribers, alongside discounts on platforms like Steam, has undoubtedly contributed to the increased player activity. However, the upcoming next-gen update for Fallout 4, scheduled for April 25, promises to enhance the gaming experience with improved frame rates, resolutions, and additional features.
The anticipation surrounding the next-gen update has led to complications for mod creators, such as the team behind the Fallout London mod, who have been forced to delay their release to accommodate the changes. Despite these challenges, the prospect of leveraging the new engine improvements for enhanced gameplay experiences is a source of excitement for modders and players alike.
While the free availability of Fallout games has undoubtedly fuelled the current resurgence, it also begs the question of when fans can expect the next instalment, Fallout 5. Given Bethesda’s development timelines and past release schedules, the prospect of Fallout 5 arriving anytime soon seems unlikely.
Bethesda Game Studios is currently focused on projects like The Elder Scrolls 6, leaving fans to speculate about the distant future of the Fallout franchise. With Bethesda’s history of lengthy development cycles and potential delays, it may be several years before players can embark on a new Fallout adventure.
Despite the excitement generated by the Fallout TV series and the increased interest in the games, the prospect of a new instalment remains a distant dream for fans. Nevertheless, the current wave of Fallout love serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of this beloved gaming universe. As fans eagerly await news of future developments, one thing remains certain: the Fallout series continues to captivate audiences and inspire imaginations around the world.