Fallout 76’s Launch Issues Prompted Delays for DOOM Eternal, Wastelanders

Much has been made about the issues that Bethesda’s Fallout 76 faced at launch (read our review here for more details). However, it seemingly prompted the company to commit to a higher standard for subsequent releases. According to Bethesda senior VP of global marketing and communications Pete Hines, this is what resulted in id Software’s DOOM Eternal and the Fallout 76’s Wastelanders update being delayed.

Speaking to US Gamer during its Branching Narratives podcast, Hines said, “We said, ‘These are not ready, and we’re not going to make another mistake, and we’re going to take the extra time even though that time hurts, and is painful, and you miss a holiday.'”

So despite DOOM Eternal missing what could have been a lucrative Christmas launch, the final product was worth it. “DOOM Eternal was so much better for it, and the response to Wastelanders was so much better for the extra time.” Of course, Wastelanders would face another delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic but it wasn’t too severe.

As for what Bethesda is currently up to, especially with regards to The Elder Scrolls 6 and Starfield, Hines wouldn’t say. The company is publishing Tango Gameworks’ GhostWire: Tokyo and Arkane Studios’ Deathloop, with both recently confirmed as exclusive to the PS5 at launch (though the latter will also receive a PC version). Deathloop is out this holiday season while GhostWire: Tokyo is out in 2021. Stay tuned for more details on other Bethesda titles in the coming months.