I wonder if the slower pace of development has something to do with mr. Howard's
"Sometimes it doesn't just work" 
hwell: perhaps it's Fallout 76 that's slowing them down? Not only it needed some polishing which costs them time and resources they could use elsewhere, but they also have to keep working on it continuously since it's a multiplayer game that evolves? I don't really know as I don't have Fallout 76 yet. I was thinking about getting it, but those negative reviews kinda drove me off.
I know you love Bethesda games, same here. That's why I also love 7 Days to Die, because I can see those similarities here and there between your game and their games and I guess 7 Days to Die would've never been what it is now, if it wasn't for you. I wish you to live long enough to enjoy many more games from Bethesda and I hope they will really pick up the pace again, for all of us lol