Fallout: New Vegas 2 Hype Rises From The Ashes Of Xbox Layoffs

It's fair to say it's been a bit of a glum week for the world of gaming. In a time we should be getting pumped for what's looking like the industry's biggest year in living memory, we've instead hit stumbling block after stumbling block.

It all started with the announcement that GTA VI won't include a disc, which was then eclipsed by reports that numerous Xbox studios are about to get the axe. While that dominated most of the news as we fear the worst for Senua's Ninja Theory, Sony then said, "Hold my beer," as it announced it'll stop production of physical games in January 2028.

We still don't know which studios are about to feel Microsoft's scythe, but with Fallout being one of the company's biggest IPs, there's hype that Fallout: New Vegas 2 could somehow be crawling out of this quagmire as a surprise announcement.

Obsidian Entertainment Apparently Marked Safe From Xbox Closures

Bethesda Softworks

Although things are looking increasingly shaky for Blade's Arkane, noted insider Jason Schreier is here to put our fears at rest that Obsidian Entertainment is about to suffer a grim fate. Over on Bluesky (via Comicbook.com), the journalist wrote: "Despite a report this morning, I can confirm that Obsidian is *not* in negotiations to avoid shutting down.

“Plenty of details are still up in the air surrounding the layoffs (picture will be clear on Monday), but Xbox is keeping Obsidian, according to people familiar with the situation."

This new split over onto ResetEra, where Schreier continued to debunk myths surrounding the New Vegas developer. Responding to the idea that Obsidian was already working on a mythical New Vegas return, Schreier mused: "FWIW, this isn't true, although I suppose it could become true real soon given Sharma's reported new direction."

We've been burned before, with various insiders claiming a New Vegas remaster is real, and even a bizarre tease from McFarlane Toys. It's important to note that although Schreier doesn't directly give New Vegas 2 the nod, the internet has taken this idea and run with it. After all, what’s wrong with a little hope in such dark times?

READ MORE: The Fallout TV Show Is Embarrassing Bethesda As Season 3 Filming Begins Soon

Fallout: New Vegas 2 Or Fallout: New Vegas Remaster?

As Capcom continues to make bank on its Resident Evil remakes, you only have to look at the hype surrounding the Code: Veronica revamp to see this could be a license to print money for Obsidian and Microsoft. Barely a week goes by that someone isn't banging the drum of remasters and remakes for Bloodborne or The Simpsons: Hit & Run, while New Vegas does the rounds in the same circles. A New Vegas remaster would be an easy way to slap a coat of paint on the Mojave Wasteland and watch the dollars roll in, and arguably, there couldn't be a better time considering Amazon's Fallout series just went there.

However, a full-blown Fallout: New Vegas 2 would be an altogether different beast. The aforementioned Fallout series served as something of a New Vegas sequel that picked up Mr. House's story, so why not continue this in video game form? As the TV series proved, there's still plenty of life down in the desert.

All of this comes as new Xbox boss Asha Sharma is apparently prioritising both Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, but with no sign of Fallout 5, ravenous fans are desperate for something to satiate their hunger.

Responding to a bit of hopeful news that Obsidian isn't getting the boot on Reddit, one fan cheered: "Announcing New Vegas 2 by Obsidian would be the easiest layup for Xbox. One Last Thing it at TGA as an Xbox exclusive and they'd heal years of bad decisions."

Another added: "Sharma wants more Elder Scrolls and Fallout, and Obsidian is the studio to do it. Just drop the unsuccessful IPs for the successful ones."

A third concluded: "Fallout New Vegas 2 should be one of those strong titles that Xbox definitely need to do. With television series going strong, old players hungry for more, new players interested and a developer that is perfect to complete it in 3 years – absolute no-brainer."

Obsidian returning to New Vegas in any form would be a massive gamble, but if we were them, we'd place it all on red.