Summary
TheFalloutfranchise takes places in a post-apocalyptic America, following a nuclear war that nearly destroyed humanity. Across the officialFallouttitles, the series has explored a dystopian California, Nevada, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and even a dilapidated Washington D.C. In every game,the distinct geography and history of the chosen setting has played into the plot and long-running themes ofFallout.But the U.S. has countless other cities and states that would make excellent locations for future titles in the franchise.
EffectiveFalloutsettings tend to revolve around three main criteria.The first is how much the location stands out historically and culturally, especially if that history takes place before World War 2 (that being roughly when theFallouttimeline diverges from our own). The second is if the location includes unique geography or infrastructure to provide variation from previous games. The last criterion is the location’s relevance to existingFalloutlore, at least for the mainline titles in the franchise:Fallout 1, 2, 3, New Vegas, 4,and76.
1997
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1998
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2001
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2004
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2008
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2010
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2015
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2018
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10Baltimore
Maryland Has The Same Historical Significance As Other East-Coast Fallout Settings
Baltimore works as aFalloutsetting for numerous reasons. For one, it being on the East Coast would allow groups andcharacters from otherFalloutgamesto be close by.Fallout 3andFallout 76take place nearby geographically, and groups like the Brotherhood of Steel and the Minutemen are set up in the general area. All of this would make it easy to fit a game set here into the established lore.
In addition, Baltimore is historically significant in a way similar to Boston, the setting ofFallout 4.It’s importance during the Revolutionary War and its connection to naval development could both lend some thematic connection to the ideas of hyper-patriotism and militarization, common themes in the franchise. Not to mention that the coastal setting of Baltimore provides many opportunities for interesting set pieces on the game’s map, such as abandoned battleships or towns built on boats.
9Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Has Cultural Influences That Can Be Explored In Fallout’s Themes
Similar to Baltimore, Philadelphia is historically relevant to American history and is located in a geographically-convenient place, close enough to connect with previous games.Iconic monuments like the Liberty Bell could make the game feel similar toFallout 3, which focused on a dystopian District of Columbia. But Pennsylvania also has a connection to Amish communities and other traditionalist religious groups which have been around in the area for centuries.
TheFalloutseries has always featured and relied upon retro-futurist technology to create its world and aesthetic (most obviously thePip-Boy worn by vault dwellers). As such,a central idea of the franchise has always been the impact of different kinds of technology on humanityand the conflict between innovation and automation. Incorporating Amish characters, or characters of similar religious beliefs, into the setting would reflect Pennsylvania’s religious diversity and add depth to a consistent conflict in the franchise, introducing a faction to challenge a reliance on advanced technology.
8Nashville
Tennessee Can Leverage Fallout’s Music
Nashville is further from the coast than either of the previous cities, yet it remains close to the established territory of groups likeFallout’s Brotherhood of Steeland the Enclave.It would be easy to work either group in as a potential ally or enemy faction. In terms of interesting geography, areas like the Smoky Mountains and Grand Ole Opry are more spread out than the previous cities on the list. Yet, asFallout 76proved, minimizing distance between locations of interest can make a map fascinating without fully ruining the player’s immersion.
Fallouthas historically featured a soundtrack of songs from the 40s and 50s to match its aesthetic
One of the most well-known things about Nashville, and Tennessee in general, is its connection to music. Bluegrass music and the rock and roll genre both have deep, intrinsic ties to the area.Fallouthas historically featured a soundtrack of songs from the 40s and 50s to match its aesthetic, butNew Vegasand76both proved that players are intrigued by a shake-up in this pattern, andfeaturing new kinds of music and making it central to the setting could go a long way to differentiate a NashvilleFalloutgame.
7New Orleans
Louisiana Could Bring The Series To The Deep South
New Orleans is not only the city furthest south suggested so far, but it would also be the furthest southFallouthas ever gone. The games so far have featured the north and central east coast as well as parts of the west coast, but theDeep South has never been seen in aFalloutgame. New Orleans would be the perfect introduction to this new area of the American wasteland.
The swamps and harbors of the area would do much to differentiate it from previous entries in the series, as would the flora and fauna of the region. This could give the game makers a chance to experiment with new mutant monsters and irradiated plants. The city’s connection to the Mississippi River could also make it an important location for various factions to hold, setting up a conflict where the player could support numerous sides in an effort to control the city.
6Detroit
Michigan Ties Into The Enclave’s Established Lore
Just as theFalloutgames have never traveled very far south, they have also left the Midwest untouched thus far. Setting a game in Michigan would create numerous opportunities for unique geography on the map, centered around the inclusion of the Great Lakes.The historical significance of Detroit being part of the rust belt could create interesting plot hooks, and the collapse of that system happening after theFallouttimeline diverges leaves room for improvisation. Much could be done to implement the ideas of industrialization and capitalistic exploitation into the setting and story.
Entire Fallout Timeline Explained: When Every Fallout Game Takes Place In Canon
Although each game in the Fallout series functions as a mostly standalone story, they each have their place in the franchises' canon timeline.
AFalloutgame set among the ruins of a manufacturing and industrial city would comment on themes already central to the series. And, given that the Enclave is established to have a presence nearby,this could create a natural villainous organization to represent a U.S. governmental force trying to exert control. All of this would create a plot that echoes the messages of theFalloutseries while introducing players to a very different setting.
5New York
New York Is The Quintessential American City
New York City is well-trodden territory when it comes to video game settings, yet it is commonly used for a reason.The city is an iconic part of Americaand its boroughs are well established within the zeitgeist. Given the plethora of existing games that used Manhattan or Brooklyn as a setting, it would be easy to visualizeFallout’sdystopian version of the area.
There are many benefits to putting a game here, from its historical and cultural significance to its proximity toFallout 4. Yet the way in whichFallout’stimeline diverges from the real world may be an issue. So much of New York City has been modified and defined over the past century. The area may look entirely different as a result of the fusion power commonly used in pre-warFallout’sworld.It is difficult to say how recognizable or familiarFallout’sNew York would feel if it were to abide by the logic of pre-established technology and lore.
4Anchorage
Alaska Is Remote But Important To Fallout’s Timeline
While Anchorage is certainly more remote than any location listed thus far, as well as far away from any existing characters or locations, its relevance to theFalloutworld is difficult to ignore:the Great War that destroyed civilization started (supposedly) as a result of conflict between the U.S. and China over control of Anchorage.Fallout 3provided a glimpse into a pre-war Anchorage during this conflict via a simulation, but the games have never featured the area post-war or stated what exactly happened there after U.S. forces triumphed.
An ongoing dispute between surviving Chinese forces and the Enclave would make a very interesting central conflict for the story
Setting a game in Anchorage would not only provide an incredibly unique setting, much more rural and cold than previous entries, but also provide a chance to see what happened after the conflict. An ongoing dispute between surviving Chinese forces and the Enclave would make a very interesting central conflict for the story. Andthe game could incorporate more survival elements than previous titlesin a way that feels natural and expected.
3Chicago
Illinois Was A Common Location For Vault-Tec Vaults
Much like Detroit, Chicago would be a unique location for its presence in the Midwest and because it is adjacent to the Great Lakes. Not only that, but Chicago’s distinct “L” trains could provide a cool alternative to fast travel that makes sense within the context of the game and plays into the location’s distinct features. In addition,Chicago’s role as a metropolis and birthplace of the American skyscraper could both play roles in defining the map’s geography.
Another factor that makes Chicago stand out is a visual clue present in the Fallout TV show. At one point in the show,a background map displays the location of Vault-Tec vaults, many of which are centered around the Chicago area. The idea of this metropolis being a hub for vault dwellers now living on the surface could make for a very interesting story.
Famous American gangster Al Capone is inextricably tied to Chicago’s history, and such figures are always used to help createFallout’s rich adaptation of Americana.
2Seattle
Washington
Seattle is unique on this list because technically, it is already the location of aFalloutgame, just not an official one.Fallout: Cascadiais an ongoing fan project that brings the series to Seattle by heavilymoddingFallout 4, showcasing the region and creating an entirely new story line for players to enjoy.The team working on the game has proven that the location has much to offer, from new aquatic mutants to a dystopian Space Needle.
Seattle’s rainy climate and proximity to the Canadian border both offer interesting geographic optionsto the game makers. In addition, Seattle being on the West coast makes it theoretically possible to connect the game to existing characters inFallout 1andFallout 2, both set in California. While the fan game hasn’t yet been released, it will be interesting to see how the writers connect the NCR and other groups to this new area.
1San Antonio
Texas
San Antonio earns its spot on this list for a multitude of reasons. The Western climate and geography connects it toFallout: New Vegas, one of the most beloved games in the franchise, but provides an opportunity to make the setting more settled and less spread out. The desert area functions extremely well within the context of a dystopian wasteland, andSan Antonio could provide a mix of that desolate geography and more urban areas. The location functions from a thematic angle as well, playing into the gun culture and nationalismFalloutoften satirizes.
this provides a lot of potential for plot points in a new Fallout game
And while groups like the NCR and the Brotherhood aren’t known to be in the area, one faction from New Vegas reportedly has a presence here: Caeser’s Legion. The anachronistic Legionnaires have become some of the most iconic villains in the franchise, andthis location would allow them to return as central antagonists. Perhaps a group similar to the NCR, some kind of Texas Ranger-based team of vigilantes, is trying to bring them down and needs the player’s help. All of this provides a lot of potential for plot points in a newFalloutgame, and wherever the series goes next, it’s clear that the U.S. still has a multitude of interesting and diverse locations to explore.
The city was founded in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the United States.
Fallout
Fallout is a post-apocalyptic RPG franchise set in an alternate future where a nuclear war devastates the world. Players explore vast, open worlds filled with mutants, raiders, and advanced technology. The series emphasizes player choice, allowing various approaches to combat, dialogue, and decision-making. Each game follows different protagonists navigating the wasteland to uncover secrets, form alliances, and rebuild civilization amidst the ruins of the old world. The franchise is known for its rich lore, dark humor, and retro-futuristic aesthetic, which has transferred over into its new series on Amazon Prime.
