In an interview with the BBC, Todd Howard provided the first concrete information on Fallout 5. Until now, Bethesda has kept total silence on the development of the next episode of the post-apocalyptic saga. But things are changing: the game will take place in a world where the events of the television series have occurred or are occurring.
When asked about this specific point, Howard simply replied: “In summary, yes. Fallout 5 will take place in a world where the stories and events of the series have happened or are happening. We take that into account.”
A world shared between game and series
The series Falloutbroadcast on Prime Video, was a great success. Its second season has just been released, to excellent reviews. For Bethesda, it made sense to unify the narrative canons. This means that Fallout 5 could take elements from the series, or evolve in parallel.
This choice represents a novelty in the franchise. Until now, each game had its own temporality and internal references. From now on, the TV series becomes a reference for the game’s storyline.
A timeline more advanced than all previous opuses
Currently, Fallout 4 remains the most advanced game chronologically with its plot located in 2287. But the Prime Video series begins in 2296. Fallout 5 could therefore take place around 2300, which would make it the furthest episode in time of the license.
This extension of the lore towards the future opens up new perspectives. The universe of Fallout, post-nuclear and retro-futuristic, could integrate elements never seen before. And, according to rumors, a parallel timeline could also be considered, giving Bethesda total narrative freedom.
Patience required: Fallout 5 is not coming yet
Even if this revelation is enough to excite fans, Todd Howard half-heartedly reminded that the development of the game is still far away. Between the continued success of Fallout 76, the TV series to follow and the release of The Elder Scrolls VI as a priority, Fallout 5 is not planned for the next few years.
Behind the scenes, fans speak of an expectation of at least five years. It will therefore be necessary to follow the series carefully to detect the first plot clues of the game to come.