Fallout fans are puzzled by the changes made to the Fallout 4 backend on Steam with the addition of the "newvegas2" branch in the April 4 update, which can be found on SteamDB (open in new tab). This is the kind of change that developers make before new content is added or beta testing begins, but the way it is named suggests that players are assuming that Bethesda is planning a sequel to Obsidian's Fallout: New Vegas, or a remastered version using Fallout 4's engine. (opens in new tab), wondering if it means that they are planning a version.

A day later, Bethesda removed this branch, presumably to quell all speculation. Because we are still speculating here.

The most likely answer relates to a next-gen update for Fallout 4, which Bethesda has announced will be released in 2023 and will include "performance mode features for higher frame rates, quality features for 4K resolution gameplay, bug fixes, and even bonus content for the Creation Club!" That is to say that it will include When the equally gorgeous Skyrim Anniversary Edition was released, not only did it include all the creations that were available in Skyrim, but 26 new creations, including references to the previous Elder Scrolls games Morrowind and Oblivion, were included.

So the branch may simply be named in honor of the new New Vegas-themed Creation Club pack. Bethesda is clearly not averse to incorporating some of Obsidian's "Fallout" games into their own, as there is already a creation in the store that adds an anti-tank rifle directly from NCR. In "Fallout 76," the box art for "New Vegas You can even get a suit of ranger armor like the one in the "New Vegas" box art. Just last year, Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart said, "We want to make another Fallout game. And it's clear that people would love to see a remastered version of New Vegas made with the Fallout 4 engine, and the Fallout 4: New Vegas mod basically does that, and on a smaller scale, the Project Mojave mod (in a new tab open in a new tab) has recreated several New Vegas locations, and the companion mod has brought in companions such as its, Veronica, Arcade, Raul, and Rose.

Hopefully Bethesda has learned its lesson from the launch of Skyrim Anniversary Edition and Fallout 4's next-gen update won't be a headache for modders. It would also be nice if the new additions were a bit more exciting. When Creation Club was first added to Fallout 4, Chris tried it out and was simply underwhelmed by its content.

Meanwhile, if you want to replay Obsidian's series of games in shiny new condition, you don't have to wait for a hypothetical remaster; the modders are there to help you get the best out of Fallout:NewVegas.