‘Consider Selling Your IP as Writing Quality Declines’, Advises FOLON Lead to Bethesda

Chris Avellone Critiques Bethesda’s Understanding of Fallout

In a recent revelation, esteemed game designer Chris Avellone expressed concerns that Bethesda lacks a deep understanding of the Fallout franchise. This critique comes shortly after Dean Carter, the lead developer at Team FOLON, which was behind the critically acclaimed Fallout London released in July 2024, shared similar sentiments with Esports.net. Carter suggested that Bethesda should consider divesting their intellectual properties, including the popular Elder Scrolls series, as he feels the series may not be in the best hands anymore.

Concerns Over Bethesda’s Recent Game Quality

Carter articulates his disappointment particularly regarding the writing quality in Bethesda’s latest titles and the disappointing launch of Fallout 76, which did not appeal to fans of the single-player experience. He states, “With the greatest respect to Bethesda, I feel like they’ve probably gone one game too far. It’s time to look into selling off your IP because, while the franchise is beloved, it may not be in the right hands.”

A Call for Improved Writing Talent

Despite his criticisms, Carter sees potential for Bethesda’s future projects if they rejuvenate their writing team.“If they harness skilled writers, the next installments of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout could be exceptional, ”he suggests. He emphasizes the utmost importance of good writing in developing engaging narratives in games.

Concerns Regarding the Creation Engine

Carter also raised concerns about Bethesda’s continued use of the Creation Engine, although he acknowledges that it has its merits.“While it’s a proprietary engine with its benefits, it is showing signs of aging and needs an overhaul, ”he commented. He believes enhancing the engine could enable the integration of exciting features like drivable vehicles or metro systems, akin to those in Fallout: London.

Team FOLON’s Future Projects and Bethesda’s Direction

After the successful launch of Fallout London, Team FOLON has now registered as an official game developer and is exploring an indie project powered by Epic’s Unreal Engine. They are committed to releasing the final two planned DLCs for Fallout London: Last Orders and Wildcard.

Bethesda’s Stance on Industry Criticism

Meanwhile, Bethesda remains undeterred by external opinions. In a recent retrospective on Fallout 3, Angela Browder, Studio and Production Director at Bethesda Game Studios, noted that the initial doubts regarding their acquisition of the Fallout IP allowed for more creative freedom. The studio is resolutely focused on their franchises and is gearing up for the release of The Elder Scrolls VI, with potential launch dates suggested between late 2027 and 2028.

It seems that while external critics question the current trajectory of Bethesda’s franchises, the studio intends to reaffirm its commitment to develop and expand its beloved worlds.

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