The Scorched Earth of Fallout: Was the Entire World Bombed?
Yes, while the games primarily focus on the United States, the lore strongly suggests that the entire world was devastated by nuclear fire during the Great War. The Fallout universe paints a grim picture of global annihilation, not just a localized catastrophe. It’s not merely the USA that’s a wasteland; it’s the planet. The specifics may vary from region to region, but widespread destruction is a constant across the established canon. We can infer that Fallout is far from a “USA-centric” apocalypse.
Evidence of Global Destruction
The evidence for worldwide nuclear devastation is pieced together from various sources within the Fallout games and their accompanying materials:
- Limited Surviving Nations: No other major nation survived the Great War intact. The absence of large-scale expeditions from other countries to the USA in the centuries following the war strongly implies widespread societal collapse elsewhere. Had another nation retained any significant power, resource gathering in the relatively untouched regions of the American wasteland would have been a prime objective.
- Resource Wars & Global Tensions: The period leading up to the Great War was marked by resource scarcity and escalating international conflict. The energy crisis caused significant geopolitical upheaval, with Europe invading the Middle East for oil. This global instability culminated in a limited nuclear exchange in the Middle East, a prelude to the all-out war that followed.
- Global Fallout Patterns: The term “fallout” itself suggests a worldwide spread of radiation and nuclear winter. The environmental devastation described across various Fallout titles hints at a global event, not just regional attacks.
- Implied Destruction of Major Powers: While the USA and China are confirmed to have been heavily nuked, the wiki states that other nuclear-armed states were also hit. This would inevitably include major powers like Britain, France, and the USSR.
- Narrative Inferences: The general narrative tone across the Fallout games consistently implies a world-altering event, not simply a national one. The focus is on the resilience of humanity in the face of complete global collapse.
The Fallout World: More Than Just America
Fallout games are often set in the USA, but it’s important to consider the lore implications for the rest of the world. The destruction of international trade, communication, and governance indicates a global collapse. The absence of any other major nation exerting influence on the American wasteland reinforces the idea that they were similarly, if not more drastically, impacted by the Great War.
The Fallout universe’s exploration of post-apocalyptic survival highlights the dangers of unchecked technological advancement, resource depletion, and the fragility of civilization itself. It invites us to reflect on these critical issues in the context of our world today, and games like Fallout can be useful resources for learning when considering a resource like the Games Learning Society.
Factors Influencing Survival
While most of the world was devastated, factors such as geographic location and pre-war preparedness likely influenced survival rates in different regions:
- Geographic Isolation: Islands like Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, are thought to be best placed to survive a nuclear apocalypse.
- Technological Shelters: Places like New Vegas and Big Mt utilized systems to disarm bombs, saving them from total destruction.
- Low Population Density: Areas with low population and strategic value would likely be targeted less, although still subject to the secondary effects of nuclear war, such as fallout and climate change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fallout’s World
1. Who Dropped the First Bomb in Fallout?
The exact details are often debated, but the most common explanation is that China launched the first nuclear strike against the United States. Some theories suggest Vault-Tec orchestrated the initial attack.
2. Did World War II Happen in the Fallout Universe?
Yes, World War II happened in the Fallout universe. However, the timeline diverges significantly after the war, with the rise of retro-futuristic technology and societal changes.
3. Was Anywhere Not Nuked in Fallout?
While no entire countries remained untouched, certain areas, like parts of Point Lookout in Fallout 3, were spared direct nuclear strikes.
4. What Happened to Africa in Fallout?
The fate of Africa is largely unaddressed in the core Fallout lore. It’s speculated that resource depletion and secondary effects from global nuclear war likely devastated the continent.
5. Is Fallout Still Radioactive? Why?
Yes, the Fallout world is highly radioactive due to the presence of long-lived radionuclides like cesium-137, which has a half-life of approximately 30 years.
6. Did Japan Get Nuked in Fallout’s Version of World War II?
Yes, the Fallout universe acknowledges the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.
7. Is There Any Evidence of Survivors Outside the USA in Fallout?
While there’s limited direct evidence, the lack of significant international presence in the USA implies widespread devastation elsewhere, hindering any potential expeditions.
8. Does China Still Exist in Fallout?
The Chinese nation as it was before the Great War ceased to exist. Its cities were vaporized in nuclear fireballs.
9. What Year Did the World “End” in Fallout?
The Great War, the event that effectively ended the pre-war world in Fallout, occurred on October 23, 2077.
10. What Happened Outside of America in the Years Leading Up to the Great War?
Outside of America, most countries fell to ruin due to the Resource Wars, a series of events that included war between the European Commonwealth and the Middle Eastern States and the disbanding of the United Nations.
11. What Would Russia Target in a Nuclear War?
Hypothetically, Russia would likely target major US cities such as New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. However, the Russian nuclear military may focus on strategic military targets.
12. Can You Escape Nuclear Fallout by Driving Away?
Cars do not provide effective protection from radioactive fallout. The best course of action is to seek shelter in a brick or concrete building.
13. How Long Does Nuclear Fallout Last?
The most dangerous period for fallout exposure is within the first 72 hours after a nuclear explosion. However, lingering radiation can pose a threat for up to 1 to 5 years.
14. How Can Games Like Fallout Help Us Understand Real-World Issues?
Games like Fallout, and the scholarship focused on it, helps us explore complex themes such as resource depletion, societal collapse, and the consequences of unchecked technological advancement, promoting critical thinking about our own world. GamesLearningSociety.org is dedicated to the exploration of learning and gaming through research, analysis, and theory.
15. Could the World Recover in Fallout?
Potentially, yes. While it would take centuries to rebuild and restore civilization, the possibility exists, contingent on the number of survivors and their ability to adapt and rebuild.