Bethesda’s Cryptic Tease: Is a Beloved Franchise from the 2010s Making a Comeback?

Fresh off the monumental success of Starfield and the acclaimed Fallout television series, Bethesda Game Studios appears to be stirring the pot once again. A cryptic social media post has sent the gaming community into a frenzy, with speculation running wild that the developer might be resurrecting a fan-favorite series that has been dormant for years. While a new Elder Scrolls or Fallout is always on the horizon, this new tease points towards something different—a potential return to a world we haven’t visited since the 2010s.

The Mysterious Message That Sparked It All

The excitement began with a simple, yet enigmatic, post from Bethesda’s official accounts. The post contained a shadowy image featuring a complex, gear-like emblem overlaid with a single, cryptic phrase: “The gears of fate turn once more.” No title, no character, and no direct confirmation of what it could be. This deliberate ambiguity has opened the floodgates for theories, as fans dissect every pixel and every word for a hint of what’s to come.

This kind of marketing is classic Bethesda, designed to engage the community and build anticipation. By avoiding any direct links to their flagship franchises, they’ve signaled that this announcement could be for one of their other beloved, but currently inactive, intellectual properties.

Prime Suspects: Which Dormant Series Could Return?

With the tease pointing away from Tamriel and the Wasteland, several key franchises from the last decade have emerged as the leading candidates for a revival. Each one has a dedicated fanbase eagerly awaiting a new chapter.

Dishonored: The Mark of the Outsider

Arkane Studios’ stealth-action masterpiece, Dishonored, is a top contender. The last entry, Death of the Outsider, was released in 2017, leaving fans wondering if they would ever return to the grimy, whale-oil-powered streets of Dunwall or Karnaca. The “gears of fate” line from the tease feels particularly at home in the series’ steampunk-inspired, clockwork world. A potential Dishonored 3 could explore a new protagonist with new powers, expanding on the rich lore of the Empire of the Isles.

The Evil Within: A New Nightmare

Developed by Tango Gameworks, The Evil Within series delivered some of the best survival horror of the 2010s. The last game, The Evil Within 2, concluded its story in 2017. Despite the recent closure of the studio, the IP remains with Bethesda. A revival under a new development team could bring back the terrifying, mind-bending horror that made the series a cult classic. The cryptic nature of the tease certainly fits the unsettling and surreal tone of The Evil Within.

Rage: Post-Apocalyptic Mayhem

While Rage 2 was released in 2019, the series has never quite reached the heights of its Bethesda siblings. The original 2011 title from id Software established a unique post-apocalyptic setting distinct from Fallout. A third entry, perhaps a full reboot, could finally fulfill the franchise’s potential, focusing on visceral combat and high-speed vehicle action. The desolate and gritty aesthetic of Rage could easily be hinted at through a vague, shadowy image.

Connecting the Clues to the Candidates

The ambiguity of the tease allows it to apply to multiple franchises, but certain elements seem to lean in specific directions. Fan theories have broken down the potential hints as follows:

• The Gear Emblem: This points most strongly to the intricate, clockwork-like technology found throughout the world of Dishonored.
• The Phrase “Gears of Fate”: This could be interpreted as a nod to the deterministic and supernatural themes in Dishonored, but it could also apply to the cyclical nightmares of The Evil Within or the struggle for survival in Rage.
• The Shadowy Aesthetic: The dark, obscured nature of the image perfectly matches the horror tones of The Evil Within or the stealth-focused gameplay of Dishonored.

What a Revival Means for Bethesda’s Future

For Bethesda, reviving a dormant series is a strategically sound move. It allows them to diversify their portfolio beyond their two main RPG pillars and cater to fans of different genres, from stealth and horror to first-person shooters. It also keeps the development pipeline active and exciting while the massive teams at BGS focus on the next Elder Scrolls title.

For gamers, this is a thrilling prospect. The return of a beloved series is a chance to revisit a cherished world with the power of modern technology. Whether it’s a new supernatural assassination, a terrifying journey into the human psyche, or a chaotic drive through the wasteland, the future looks bright, and mysterious, for Bethesda fans.

For now, all we can do is wait and speculate. Bethesda has successfully captured our attention, and the gaming world will be watching closely for the next gear to turn. Whatever this new project is, it’s clear that the company is looking to its past to build an exciting part of its future.