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In a recent interview with MrMattyPlays, Bethesda’s Todd Howard addressed one of the most persistent questions in gaming: Will we ever see remasters of Fallout 1 and Fallout 2? His answer might disappoint some fans, but his reasoning reveals a deep respect for these pioneering titles that helped shape the post-apocalyptic gaming scene.
Todd Howard’s stance on preserving gaming history remains firm. | Image Credit: @Bethesda Softworks/YouTubeThe original Fallout games, released in 1997 and 1998 respectively, are more than just entries in a beloved franchise—they’re cultural artifacts that helped define an entire genre. And with the recent success of the Fallout TV series bringing renewed attention to the franchise, many have wondered if it’s time to give these classics a modern makeover.
However, Howard’s perspective on preserving these games in their original form offers an interesting glimpse into how Bethesda views the legacy of the franchise they inherited.
Why Todd Howard wants to protect Fallout’s legacy
Sometimes the old ways are the best ways forward. | Image Credit: Interplay Inc./BethesdaThe debate over remastering classic games has always been a contentious one, with passionate arguments on both sides. While some players crave modern conveniences and updated graphics, others argue that these “improvements” can often strip away the very elements that made these games special in the first place.
In the case of Fallout 1 and 2, Todd Howard‘s position leans firmly toward preservation over modernization:
The main priority for us is to make sure they’re available and you can still play them. So in the PC, obviously they’re there for people to go and get and play, and making sure that, you know, they run okay.
This stance might seem conservative to some, but it comes from a place of genuine appreciation for what these games represent. The isometric, turn-based gameplay and distinctive art style of the original Fallout games aren’t just design choices—they’re fundamental to the experience that made these titles legendary.
It’s a refreshingly honest take in an industry obsessed with remakes and remasters. While other publishers rush to capitalize on nostalgia with modernized versions of their classics, Bethesda’s approach acknowledges that some games are perfect time capsules of their era.
I could argue… I think some of the charm of games from that era and the original Fallouts is a little bit of that age, right? So I would never want to sort of paste over some of that with ‘well, we changed out this work so it’s more modern.’
Howard’s perspective reflects a growing understanding in the gaming industry that not everything needs to be updated or modernized to remain relevant. Sometimes, the “jank” is part of the charm.
The future of classic Fallout games
The mouse and keyboard legacy lives on. | Image Credit: Interplay Inc./BethesdaThe question of console ports naturally came up during the discussion, but Howard remained firm in his belief that these games belong on their original platform:
Anything is possible but you know that’s going to be a longer dev throw and you sort of have to ask yourself, ‘Is that the way we want to put our time right now, or is it best played the way it was on a PC?’ And if you ask me, I think the best way to play it is on a PC, mouse and keyboard, the way it was.
This commitment to preserving the original experience rather than adapting it for modern platforms speaks to a larger philosophy about game preservation. While remasters and remakes have become increasingly popular in recent years, there’s something to be said for maintaining games in their original form, complete with all the quirks and limitations that made them unique.
For now, it seems that fans hoping to experience these classic titles will need to do so the old-fashioned way—and maybe that’s not such a bad thing after all. Sometimes the best way to appreciate history is to experience it exactly as it was, dated graphics and all.
What do you think about Howard’s stance on preserving classic games in their original form? Should Fallout 1 and 2 get the remaster treatment, or are they perfect just the way they are? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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