Fallout: New Vegas dev says Bethesda made the studio sit through ‘a whole powerpoint about all the things Obsidian did wrong’
According to Fallout: New Vegas developer Chris Avellone, Bethesda Softworks criticized Obsidian Entertainment’s work on the acclaimed 2010 game through an unflattering presentation. In a recent three-hour YouTube interview with content creator TKs-Mantis, Avellone revealed that Bethesda made the studio “sit through a whole PowerPoint about all the things Obsidian did wrong,” including using review scores as ammunition against the developer.
The revelation highlights a disconnect between how Bethesda perceived Fallout: New Vegas during development and how the gaming community views it today. The game has become increasingly celebrated over the years, with many fans and critics considering it the series’ finest entry and lamenting that it may represent the last of the original Fallout formula before Fallout 4’s more streamlined approach.
Avellone, who served as a writer and project director on the game and was instrumental in creating its DLC content, has become a notable voice discussing the game’s legacy. He previously left Obsidian Entertainment in 2015 under contentious circumstances, citing disagreements with the company’s management practices.
The comments offer insight into the friction that can exist between publishers and developers even when a project achieves lasting cultural impact. While Fallout: New Vegas has become a touchstone in gaming discourse and maintains a passionate fanbase, the initial reception apparently did not satisfy Bethesda, which may have set expectations Obsidian struggled to meet.