Fallout 76 has undergone something of a redemption arc in recent years, but for those who remember its much-anticipated release, it was surrounded by controversies and serious issues despite its promising concept.

The reception from gamers was harsh, with project lead Jeff Gardiner recalling instances of receiving public backlash, and Todd Howard eventually admitting the team struggled to meet expectations during a Wired interview.

Nate Purkeypile, who worked at Bethesda for 14 years, transitioned to indie development, stating that the negative feedback from Fallout 76 influenced his decision. In a recent GDC talk, Purkeypile remarked:

“Putting out Fallout 76 was a tough thing. The internet can be really awful; even if The Elder Scrolls 6 is great, I’m sure there’s gonna be these hour-long YouTube videos and death threats yet again. So I didn’t really want to deal with that.”

He further explained that the problem spreads throughout the industry, with solo development attracting less negative attention. “If you put out a game that people don’t like, the internet treats you like you’re clubbing baby seals… I was certain that whatever I didn’t put in a game, it wouldn’t receive that level of exposure.”

This resonates in the ongoing discussions surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows, particularly regarding its inclusion of a historical Black samurai, which has sparked strong reactions from gamers. In a recent clip, streamer FightinCowboy shut down critical comments by stating that normal people don’t get upset about these matters.

In light of Fallout 76’s backlash, Purkeypile expresses hope that the reception for The Elder Scrolls 6 will be better, preparing for the worst outcome. As the gaming community remains divided, an anti-harassment plan has been proposed by Ubisoft for developers facing online hostility as seen with Assassin’s Creed. Results from both Fallout 76 and Shadows show the ongoing struggle against negativity in online discussions.