Bethesda Softworks, creators of the bestselling Elder Scrolls video game series, have just released the first teaser for the next game in their other much adored property, the post-apocalyptic Fallout franchise.

Yesterday, the company posted an image on their official twitter page. The picture is a simple 'Please Stand By' message, written in the Fallout games' trademark nuclear test background image. The tweet also links viewers to the URL fallout.bethsoft.com where a countdown timer is slowly ticking down. The timer is set to hit zero at 10AM ET later today.

If the game in question does indeed prove to be the much rumoured Fallout 4, it will be the second Fallout game Bethesda has developed since they took control of the franchise with 2007's Fallout 3 and their latest game since 2011's critically acclaimed Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The most recent game in the Fallout series, Fallout: New Vegas, was developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Bethesda still served as publisher on that title.

The announcement ends years of speculation about the next step for the franchise. In December 2013, video game website Kotaku published leaked scripts allegedly detailing the plot of the next Fallout game. The documents claim the next game will be set in Boston, Massachusetts.

The timing of Bethesda's announcement is no simple coincidence. The company is slated to hold their first ever presentation at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in two weeks' time. Bethesda will most likely have the new Fallout game be front and centre at that event.

Games website Gamingbolt also speculates that Fallout 4 may be coming to previous generation consoles. A look at the CSS code on the game's countdown page reveals that five platforms: the PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, and PC are mentioned. Gamingbolt notes is congruent with an E3 listing stating that Bethesda will be showcasing a cross generation RPG at the expo.