What year is Fallout based on?

What Year is Fallout Based On?

The Fallout series has been a beloved franchise since its inception in 1997. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where players take on the role of a survivor in a nuclear wasteland. But the question remains, what year is Fallout based on?

The Answer: October 1997

Released in October 1997, Fallout takes place in a post-apocalyptic Southern California, beginning in the year 2161. The game’s protagonist, referred to as the Vault Dweller, is tasked with recovering a water chip in the Wasteland to replace the broken one in their underground shelter home, Vault 13.

The Setting: Southern California, 2161

The game’s world is set in the late 22nd century, 80 years after the Great War, a catastrophic event that devastated the world in 2077. The game’s setting, Southern California, is now a desolate wasteland, with ruins of what once was a thriving society. The Vault Dweller’s journey takes them across the Wasteland, encountering various factions, from the Brotherhood of Steel to the Super Mutants, each with their own agenda.

The Timeline

Here’s a breakdown of the Fallout timeline:

• 2077: The Great War, a nuclear war that devastates the world.
• 2258: The year Vault 101 is built as part of the Vault-Tec project.
• 2277: The game’s protagonist, the Vault Dweller, is born.
• 2161: The year the game takes place, where the player must recover a water chip in the Wasteland to replace the broken one in Vault 13.

Why 2077 and Not 1960?

So, why does Fallout take place in 2161 and not 1960, a more conventional time period? The answer lies in the game’s concept. Developer Interplay Entertainment wanted to create a game that felt like a retro-futuristic vision of the world, inspired by the science fiction of the 1950s and 1960s. The game’s setting is meant to represent a possible future, imagining what the world would look like 80 years after a catastrophic event.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Fallout is based on October 1997, and takes place in a post-apocalyptic Southern California, beginning in the year 2161. The game’s setting is influenced by the science fiction of the 1950s and 1960s, and its timeline starts with the Great War of 2077 and ends with the game’s protagonist’s journey in 2161. For fans of the series, understanding the timeline and setting is crucial to fully appreciate the game’s world and story.

Timeline Reference

Here is a handy reference table summarizing the Fallout timeline:

Timeline References

• Fandom: Fallout
• Interplay Entertainment
• Wikipedia: Fallout (1997 video game)