What Century is Fallout 4? Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic Timeline
Fallout 4 is primarily set in the 23rd century, specifically the year 2287. This places the game roughly 210 years after the nuclear holocaust that devastated the world in 2077, known as The Great War. Although the game is set in the future, its aesthetic and themes draw heavily from mid-20th century America, creating a unique blend of retro-futurism that has become a hallmark of the Fallout series.
The Timeline of Fallout 4
The game’s narrative begins on October 23, 2077, the day the bombs fell. However, the player character, known as the Sole Survivor, is immediately placed into cryogenic stasis within Vault 111, only to be awakened in the year 2287, 210 years later. This time jump is crucial to understanding the game’s setting. While the initial scenes show the world in 2077, the vast majority of the gameplay takes place in the post-apocalyptic 23rd century, offering a glimpse of a world drastically changed by nuclear war. This puts Fallout 4 10 years after the events of Fallout 3, and six years after Fallout: New Vegas.
A Retro-Future Aesthetic
While Fallout 4 is set in the 23rd century, it’s not a depiction of what one might conventionally expect from that period. Instead, the game’s visual style is heavily influenced by 1950s Americana and the era’s vision of the future. This influence manifests itself in various elements: the art deco designs, the atompunk aesthetic, and even the licensed music that features popular hits from the 1940s and 1950s.
The game world reflects a world where technological advancement diverged from our own after World War II, embracing nuclear power and a futuristic vision steeped in mid-century optimism. This results in a unique and stylized version of the future, where robots, ray guns, and towering pre-war structures mix with the gritty reality of a post-nuclear wasteland.
Why the 50s Influence?
The 1950s were a time of great technological optimism in the United States, with a strong belief in the power of science and innovation. However, this optimism was also tempered by the fear of nuclear war, creating a paradoxical blend of futuristic dreams and Cold War anxieties. The Fallout series captures this duality perfectly, using the 1950s aesthetic as a lens through which to explore the consequences of nuclear conflict and the flaws of unchecked technological progress. It’s not so much that the game is set in the 1950s, but rather that it presents the future as envisioned by the 1950s.
A Parody of American Culture
Fallout 4, like the rest of the series, is also a satire of American culture. It uses the familiar imagery of the mid-20th century to critique consumerism, Cold War paranoia, and the potentially destructive nature of unchecked ambition. The game’s alternate timeline serves as a warning about the dangers of ideological extremism and the seductive nature of technological promises.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What year does the main story of Fallout 4 take place?
The main story of Fallout 4 takes place in the year 2287.
How many years after the bombs fell does Fallout 4 take place?
Fallout 4 takes place 210 years after the bombs fell in 2077.
What was “The Great War” in Fallout?
The Great War was a global conflict over natural resources that led to a nuclear holocaust in 2077, effectively ending the world as it was known.
Is the world of Fallout 4 historically accurate?
No, the world of Fallout 4 is not historically accurate. It is an alternate timeline that diverged from our own sometime after 1945. While some elements are rooted in real-life places and events, the overall history and technological development differ significantly.
Why is Fallout 4 so influenced by the 1950s?
The game’s aesthetic is heavily influenced by the 1950s as it’s designed to evoke how Americans of the era imagined the future would be. It’s a retrofuturistic vision that combines 1950s optimism with Cold War anxieties.
Is Fallout 4 set in the 1960s?
No, Fallout 4 is not set in the 1960s. While the game’s art direction has elements from the early 1960s, its primary influence is the 1950s, and its actual timeline is the 23rd century.
What kind of music is in Fallout 4?
Fallout 4 features a selection of licensed music primarily from the 1940s and 1950s, aligning with its retrofuturistic setting.
How does Fallout 4 use nostalgia?
Fallout 4 utilizes Cold War language and themes to create a nostalgic science-fiction narrative, appealing to players’ sense of familiarity and the allure of a bygone era’s imagined future.
What is the setting for the game Fallout 3?
Fallout 3 is set in the year 2277, which is 10 years before the events of Fallout 4.
Why is Fallout considered a parody?
Fallout is considered a satire of American culture and society, using its post-apocalyptic setting and mid-century aesthetic to critique various aspects of American history and ideals.
What is the story behind the Deathclaws in Fallout?
Deathclaws were originally a genetic experiment by the US government, created from Jackson’s chameleons, to serve as shock troops in combat.
What is the institute in Fallout 4?
The Institute is an organization in Fallout 4 responsible for advanced technology, including the creation of synths, and is ultimately responsible for the kidnapping of Shaun, the player character’s son.
Why was Shaun kidnapped in Fallout 4?
Shaun was kidnapped to be a test subject for synth experiments, due to the purity of his pre-war DNA.
What are some of the main themes in Fallout 4?
Fallout 4 explores themes of war, loss, societal collapse, the dangers of unchecked technology, and the search for hope and meaning in a devastated world.
Is there a Fallout 5 in development?
Yes, Fallout 5 has been officially confirmed by Bethesda. However, it is expected to be released after The Elder Scrolls VI, meaning it’s still a long way off.