What will the Fallout 3 remaster look like?

About a month ago a Microsoft document detailing releases from 2020-2024 were leaked online. The document only contains title names for games such as Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Doom etc. Even so, there has been some truth to the naming and release window of such titles. This included predictions on the release of Starfield. Which, was off by about two years however, the game still released. So, it's safe to assume that any game mentioned in the document is at least being prepared to develop or has already started.

Before we discuss the prospects of the Fallout 3 Remaster planned to be released late 2024/early 2025, we need to discuss how Bethesda uses their latest tools to make games.

Creation Engine 2?

Games like Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76 all use the first Creation Engine. However, ever since the release of Starfield, they have switched over to the new Creation Engine 2. It's safe to assume that they can continue to use this new engine to develop a soft "remake" of the game. Their calling it a "remaster" is an off-put term to use though. That could mean many things in today's gaming ecosystem.

This also brings to light the purpose and opportunity of the Fallout 4 next gen patch. The most impressive overhaul to Fallout 4 is to support the latest console hardware. We would assume that means taking advantage of their 120 frame capability. This is important to understand because, the creation engine was never built to go above 60 frames. That's why, in games like Skyrim, the physics of the game gets faster the more you go above 60 frames. So, at 120 frames, the speed of your game is doubled.

Bringing this back to Fallout 3 Remaster, the game could play drastically different. In turn, serving as more of a Remake than a Remaster. This new engine would allow them to tweak and add additional things that the previous engine just couldn't handle. A perfect example of this would be a built-in FOV slider.

Unreal Engine 5?

This exact prospect is not likely but there has been rumors floating about on another remake utilizing both Unreal 5 and the Creation engine. That being, the Oblivion Remake (also in the document).

We aren't exactly sure how they are utilizing both of the engines (if they even are). Some have predicted that they are going to use the physics of the old engine and port it into Unreal Engine 5. This creates a familiar feel to how the original Oblivion game played while giving it a fresh coat of paint on the animations and textures. This is all of course over-simplified as a lot more is taken into account when combing different engines. It's not as simple as a plug and play.

This however, to me, doesn't seem like the case as it would be strange for Bethesda to rely on outsourced material. This all has to do with their expansion of the Creation Club content and library, bridging the gap on mod support for both Console and PC. It would be strange for them to specifically utilize an entire new Engine just so they have to make it work with their Creation Club content. Wouldn't it be simpler to keep using their own created engine?

I'm just happy we're getting a Fallout 3 Remaster

At the end of the day, it's nice to know that Bethesda hasn't forgot about what put them on the gaming map. Unlike other companies such as Activision who charge you full price for their old titles. It is refreshing to know that Bethesda is putting work into their old library of franchises and games, even though we know nothing about this remake. Who knows, they could pull a Skyrim Anniversary Edition and release the game at premium price with a "fresh coat of paint" and some paid mods. I'm willing to remain more optimistic given the Fallout TV show is said to be releasing close to this remaster. Why would they mess around when more eyes are going to be glued to the Fallout franchise than ever?