Honestly, if I was Microsoft, I’d be looking to get a new Fallout game rushed into production immediately. And it probably wouldn’t be Bethesda making it. Not necessarily Fallout 5, but a new game in a new, interesting location. Something that can capitalize on the interest generated by the show, especially if it can come out near the release of season 2.
I agree that it would be in Microsoft’s best interest to set high priority to another Fallout AAA game, but there is no way they could make it in 1-2 years. AAA RPG games nowadays take a minimum of 3-4 years to make. 5 or more years for games with extensive content and high production values.
Three other reasons this would not be in Microsoft’s/Bethesda’s best interest are as follows:
A. After the failed release of Starfield, this drastically changed many people’s perspectives and trust factor in Bethesda, as the game came out in a broken state. People are quite a bit less likely to buy a game just on the trust factor than they might have been years ago. And… this is the second game to eat shit on release month from Bethesda.
B. With how well AAA RPG fans received Balder’s Gate 3, there were mentions online about how many people in the gaming industry took pause with their game dev to take count of what their game(s) were going to be offering, as this seemed to have become the new benchmark. So studios and publishers are more likely willing to spend an extra 8 - 12 months before. (Or so I would hope.)
C. While I believe you meant to say, ‘finish a Fallout game they had been working on for a few years’, I still don’t think they should risk releasing it soon. Bethesda is in dire need of a new solid gaming experience, and from what I’ve read online, (with a grain of salt,) they aren’t even close to releasing Elder Scrolls 6. And hell, they can’t fall back on their old cash cow, Skyrim, as it came out back in 2011. So there are those who say this is a make-or-break moment for them, as the future for them looks bleak if they can’t land their next video game release. I’m hoping they do, but I’m not holding my breath for them.