The "Fallout" series is set in a post-apocalyptic world that diverges from our own timeline due to a nuclear war. Below is a general timeline of key events related to the Fallout games:
Pre-War Timeline:
- 1927: In the Fallout universe, this year marks the establishment of businesses and technologies that diverged from our own world’s developments.
- 1950s-1960s: Continued advancements in technology, including robots, nuclear energy, and the development of the Vaults to protect people from nuclear fallout, create an alternate 1960s aesthetic.
Post-War Timeline:
- 2077: The Great War occurs on October 23. Nuclear weapons are launched across the globe, resulting in widespread devastation and the beginning of the Fallout world as we know it.
- 2102: The events of Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel occur, further detailing the state of the world.
Game Timeline:
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Fallout: Prelude to the Great War/ Fallouts 1-2:
- Fallout (Set in 2161): The player emerges from Vault 13 to find the Wasteland and locate the Water Chip.
- Fallout 2 (Set in 2241): Set 80 years after the first game, you play as the descendant of the original Vault Dweller.
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Fallout 3 (Set in 2277): The player leaves Vault 101 and explores the Capital Wasteland.
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Fallout: New Vegas (Set in 2281): The events take place four years after Fallout 3, focusing on the New Vegas area, with multiple factions vying for control.
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Fallout 4 (Set in 2287): Set ten years after New Vegas and directly following the story of the Sole Survivor from Vault 111.
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Fallout 76 (Set in 2102): Although it's a prequel to the main series, it takes place in Appalachia, several decades before the events in the previous games.
Future Timeline:
- The timeline extends beyond the games into hypothetical futures depending on player choices and outcomes at the end of each game, as the series often leaves significant narratives open-ended.
This timeline captures the major events and releases in the Fallout franchise, but the lore is expansive and includes numerous factions, characters, and side quests that elaborate on how this world has evolved post-apocalypse.