Steam sleuths just discovered two mysterious Fallout games hiding in Valve’s backend. App IDs 2884750 and 2884751 carry Bethesda publisher tags and Fallout naming conventions, but no public store pages exist. Coming weeks after Oblivion Remastered’s surprise launch, the timing screams shadow drop potential ahead of Microsoft’s January 22 Developer Direct.
The SteamDB Discovery
Reddit user Ethangaming2005 posted SteamDB screenshots showing two Fallout-branded apps created December 2025. Both list Bethesda Softworks as publisher with ‘early access’ flags but zero public visibility. App ID patterns match recent Bethesda re-releases – Fallout 4 sits at 377160, Fallout 76 at 1151340.
Community immediately pegged them as Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters. Timing aligns perfectly with Oblivion Remastered’s stealth Steam drop last week. Microsoft’s aggressive Fallout push post-Amazon series success fuels speculation of multiple shadow launches to capitalize on franchise hype.
Why January 22 Makes Sense
Microsoft’s Developer Direct streams January 22 featuring Indiana Jones, Fable, South of Midnight, and rumored Fallout 76 content. Two of three 2025 Directs included shadow drops. Oblivion Remastered appeared unannounced hours before stream with zero marketing – classic Phil Spencer strategy.
| Event | Date | Shadow Drops |
|---|---|---|
| Direct 2024 | June | 2/3 games |
| Direct 2025 | January | 2/3 games |
| Direct 2026 | Jan 22 | Fallout 3/4? |
YouTube channels already predict Fallout 3 Remastered alongside New Vegas updates. Tim Cain’s Obsidian return late 2025 fuels New Vegas 2 rumors, but remasters seem more immediate given SteamDB evidence.
What Fans Expect From Remasters
Fallout 3 celebrates 18 years in 2026. Game Pass version runs terribly even on Series X. New Vegas hits 16 years with persistent bugs despite modder heroics. Both desperately need modern engine upgrades, 60fps, achievement support, and controller improvements.
- Creation Engine 2.0 upgrade (Fallout 4 Anniversary baseline)
- 4K/60fps Series X/S optimization
- Steam Deck Verified status
- Xbox controller remapping
- Modernized UI/inventory
- Optional 2024 graphical presets
Obsidian Connection Heats Up
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain rejoined Obsidian November 2025. SteamDB lists ‘Obsidian’ strings alongside hidden Fallout apps. New Vegas 2 rumors exploded after FTC documents revealed Microsoft meetings about ‘Fallout spin-off’ projects.
Less likely scenario: Fallout 76 expansions or Tactics revival. Most evidence points to core RPG remasters given Bethesda’s pattern (Skyrim, Oblivion). Microsoft’s post-Fallout TV tsunami demands constant content – remasters perfectly fill January void before Starfield Shattered Space.
Commercial Imperative
Fallout 4 sold 60 million lifetime. New Vegas moved 15+ million despite launch bugs. Amazon series drove 15 million Game Pass subs in weeks. Remasters print money – low development cost, massive built-in audience, evergreen appeal.
Oblivion Remastered hit top 10 Steam sales despite zero marketing. Fallout 3/New Vegas follow identical playbook: shadow drop during Direct, watch sales climb. Phil Spencer’s ‘perfect time’ comment post-series perfectly frames aggressive re-release strategy.
Community Reactions Explode
GamingLeaksAndRumours hit 5k upvotes in hours. ‘Fingers crossed for NV achievement support’ tops comments. SteamDB sleuths confirm apps ‘internal only’ – identical to Oblivion pre-drop status. XboxEra podcast doubled down on predictions after discovering identical backend flags.
January 22 becomes make-or-break moment. Success cements Microsoft’s Fallout dominance through 2027. Failure fuels ’empty promises’ narrative ahead of major Direct lineup. Either way, two hidden apps prove Bethesda cooking multiple wasteland projects.
FAQs
What are the hidden Fallout games on Steam?
SteamDB shows app IDs 2884750 and 2884751 with Bethesda publisher tags. No public pages. Community consensus: Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters.
When might they release?
January 22 Developer Direct. Oblivion Remastered shadow dropped identically. Two prior Directs delivered 2/3 shadow drops each.
Will they have modern features?
Expect 4K/60fps, Series X optimization, Steam Deck support, controller fixes, updated UI. Oblivion Remastered baseline.
Is Obsidian making Fallout New Vegas 2?
Tim Cain rejoined late 2025. FTC docs mention spin-off talks. Remasters more likely immediate projects vs full sequel.
Why shadow drop strategy?
Oblivion Remastered topped Steam charts without marketing. Built-in audience guarantees sales. Fills content gaps between majors.
Do achievements come to old Fallouts?
Top community demand. Oblivion Remastered includes them. Massive replayability boost for completionists.
Fallout 5 still years away?
Confirmed post-Elder Scrolls 6 (2030+). Remasters bridge gap through 2028 alongside 76 expansions.
Game Pass day one?
Guaranteed. All Bethesda re-releases hit service immediately. Perfect Fallout TV season 2 tie-in.
Conclusion
Two hidden Fallout apps signal Microsoft’s aggressive wasteland expansion. SteamDB evidence plus Direct timing screams January 22 shadow drops. Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters perfectly capitalize TV-driven hype while Obsidian cooks longer-term spin-offs. Phil Spencer’s content tsunami continues – tune in Thursday for potential double vault opening.