Because it's so closely tied to real-world events, the Fallout timeline isn't one that's hard to envision like fantasy games where everything is invented. The events of the franchise do fling players into the future, but the games are largely tied to a 200-300-year period in the future. Plus, with nuclear fallout, it's not like there's much in the way of world events. Most of the Fallout world is unknown to players as only a handful of locations, all within North America, have appeared in the franchise over the years. Despite this, the biggest quandary for the Fallout timeline isn't necessarily how everything unfolded, but why it currently ends in 2910.
The latest chronological game in the franchise is Fallout 4, with its events taking place in 2287. That means there are 623 years between the latest chronological game in the franchise and the end of the timeline. There are a few events scattered in between, but they are largely hypothetical—for example, some years can be denoted by things Fallout: New Vegas' Mr. House believes he can accomplish by said year. However, there's an event called the Sonic Invasion that apparently happens in 2910.
It's worth pointing out that the Fallout timeline also refers to 2997, but it's not the end of the timeline—it's a hypothetical year for when Vault-Tec assumes its technology will no longer be viable to sustain human life. Therefore, it's effectively a footnote while 2910 is a year where certain events are effectively confirmed to unfold.
Where the Fallout Timeline Diverges
When looking at the Fallout timeline, it's also important to note where it diverges, not just where it currently ends. 1945 is a key year for the franchise and is often the turning point from real-world events to Fallout events. There are some minute changes before 1945, but nothing with a serious bearing on the franchise. The hundred or so years between after 1945 and leading into The Great War is what defines the Fallout timeline as the Fallout timeline.
Where Each Fallout Game Falls on the Timeline
- When Does the Great War Take Place - 2077
- Fallout 76 - 2102
- Fallout - 2161
- Fallout 2 - 2241
- Fallout 3 - 2277
- Fallout: New Vegas - 2281
- Fallout 4 - 2287
Why the Fallout Timeline Goes All the Way to 2910
All these events lead to the happenings of each game, but Fallout: New Vegas further forecasts the events of the future. Specifically, Fallout: New Vegas' Old World Blues DLC establishes 2910 as an important year within the franchise, with something called the Sonic Invasion of 2910. However, it's something that's entirely missable. It appears in one of the DLC's ending slideshows if, and only if, players fully upgrade the Blind Diode Jefferson AI in the DLC. This has led many fans to question the canonicity of the event, but given that Fallout slideshows tend to be neutral, it's hard to imagine Obsidian slipping one in that wasn't meant to at least be taken seriously. Of course, it's so far into the future that the franchise has, in no way, confirmed it one way or another, but the likeliest thing is that it's a legitimate thing, just one that will remain a mystery forever.
The slideshow states, "Blind Diode Jefferson, with sounds the Courier brought him, created a symphonic counter-frequency that saved Big MT from sonic invasion in 2910. If you didn't hear about it - good." A few things can be inferred from this. The first is that the sound, whatever it is, would have some odd effect on any living humans at this time, perhaps machinery too. The second is that, if it were a joke, it would make more sense to choose a more realistic date, at least pass it off as a joke for some time before pulling it back. Thirdly, it's not clear whether it was a worldwide doomsday event that only the Big MT managed to survive or if it was something aimed specifically at the Big MT. The possibility of the latter could suggest it's Big MT's own doing, some thinktank creation of sonic sounds into space that came back or something to that effect.
It's worth noting that this Fallout: New Vegas slides is told by Blinde Diode Jefferson itself, adding another layer of scrutiny to the event. However, if the AI was just making itself sound more impressive, it would make more sense to make a less outrageous claim. It's so outrageous that the safer assumption is that the Sonic Invasion, whatever it is and especially with the Fallout franchise's penchant for aliens, is something legit. However, outright confirmation is not something fans could reliably expect anytime soon.
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- Gamebryo
- Franchise
- Fallout
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to Vegas. New Vegas.
It’s the kind of town where you dig your own grave prior to being shot in the head and left for dead…and that’s before things really get ugly. It’s a town of dreamers and desperados being torn apart by warring factions vying for complete control of this desert oasis. It’s a place where the right kind of person with the right kind of weaponry can really make a name for themselves, and make more than an enemy or two along the way.
As you battle your way across the heat-blasted Mojave Wasteland, the colossal Hoover Dam, and the neon drenched Vegas Strip, you’ll be introduced to a colorful cast of characters, power-hungry factions, special weapons, mutated creatures and much more. Choose sides in the upcoming war or declare “winner takes all” and crown yourself the King of New Vegas in this follow-up to the 2008 videogame of the year, Fallout 3.
Enjoy your stay.
