In a statement released today on the Bethesda blog, Todd Howard spoke about what it means to join the Microsoft team. In the blog post, he also mentioned how the technology of the upcoming Microsoft Xbox Series X and S consoles allowed Bethesda to makes its biggest technological leaps yet.
"These new systems are optimized for the vast worlds we love to create, with generational leaps not just in graphics, but CPU & data streaming as well. It’s led to our largest engine overhaul since Oblivion, with all new technologies powering our first new IP in 25 years, Starfield, as well as The Elder Scrolls VI."
Considering that Bethesda has largely been using the same engine since The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, this is good news to many. If Fallout 4 could look as good as it did with that old technology, one can only imagine what the future will hold for Bethesda titles after this "generational leap."
Howard's blog post was primarily about the positives of Bethesda parent company ZeniMax joining Microsoft, as the upcoming acquisition was announced this morning. Time will tell what this will mean as far as Bethesda properties becoming Xbox console exclusives - upcoming titles like Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI might still come to PlayStation 5, but at this point there's no way of knowing for sure.