The Fallout series has a few differences from the real-world timeline. Obviously, there has not been a nuclear war that destroyed the world (at least not yet), but some real-world events either changed or never happened in the Fallout universe. These changes can range from small sports-related events to major nations still existing into the 2000s.
Players are sure to notice a few differences between the real world and the Fallout world, but there might be a few changes players do not notice. The divergence between Fallout and the real world started in the 1960s, with a few extra changes that took place before then.
Updated May 2, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Fallout is one of the most interesting franchises players can get into. The recent TV show has done a great job of doing justice to the rich world and how messed up the nuclear post-apocalypse is. The building blocks of this world are interesting to look at. The games and show both focus on an alternate timeline where events in history changed just enough for nuclear war to become a reality, turning the world into an inhospitable wasteland. There are many changes from the existing timeline that are interesting to peruse. Many of them do a great job of making the world as tantalizing as possible.
17 A Spaceship Abducted A Samurai In The 1600s
Can Be Freed From The Mothership Zeta
The idea of extraterrestrial life has been toyed with in real life plenty of times, and many people are convinced that aliens exist. However, there's no hard proof, which can be disappointing for people who want this phenomenon to be confirmed. But in the world of Fallout, aliens have made physical contact with humans several times.
A rather amusing instance is a samurai who can be found aboard the Mothership Zeta if players access this DLC in Fallout 3. Toshiro Kago is a unique companion who doesn't speak English, making everything from combat encounters to simple interactions as hilarious as can be. He was abducted during the 1600s, and has been in cryosleep ever since.
16 A Different Group Of People Walked On The Moon For The First Time
Richard Wade, Mark Garris, And Michael Hagen
The names Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are fresh in the minds of most people. It's well known that these two legendary men walked the face of the moon for the very first time. It was a historic achievement that many people have tried to discredit, only to fail miserably.
While the moon landing also occurred in Fallout's retelling of history, the people who made this massive scientific achievement aren't the same. This time, it was a trio of people from the USSA who achieved this feat. It's a small change, but one that's worth noting.
15 China Replacing The Soviet Union As The "Opponents" Of The US
Led To The Nuclear Wa
In the world of the Fallout universe, the Cold War never happened. The war was anything but cold, with nuclear bombs dropping within moments.
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As a result, the country that turned into a villain for the Americans wasn't the Soviet Union, but China instead. Of course, the advent of the Great War changed the course of history in the Fallout universe for good.
14 A Lack Of Prevalent Racism And Sexism
A Refreshing Change Of Pace From The Real World
During the 50s and 60s, it's obvious that racism was at an all-time high while women empowerment was considered to be a non-issue by many. So, if the Fallout universe still carried over the style and beliefs of the 50s, then there's a pretty major change that everyone would've noticed.
There isn't really a lot of bigotry stemming from either racist or sexist backgrounds in Fallout. Both men and women are considered to be equally competent in combat, and pretty much no character is judged or vilified because of whatever color their skin might be.
13 Vacuum Tube Electronics Being The Norm
Keeps The Retro-Future Aesthetic Intact
There was a time when vacuum tube electronics were all the rage. However, as technology developed, this archaic design was only used in a handful of instances.
However, in the Fallout universe, vacuum tube electronics are all the rage. Sure, other forms of electronics have also made their way into the game, but there's no denying that vacuum tubes are still preferred over the rest.
12 The Creation Of Mutated Insects
These Experiments Occurred Well Before The Great War
For the most part, the fauna of America transformed into gigantic and monstrous versions that could rough up the strongest adventurers around. However, not all of these are mutations caused by radiation from the nuclear war.
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As revealed during the Old World Blues DLC, Cazadores were actually created in a lab on the Big MT by Dr. Borous in 2003. This is a pretty huge difference from regular history, where animals are yet to be mutated into such horrific monstrosities.
11 China Never Going Through With Economic Reforms
The Threat Of War Kept Them From Becoming An Economic Powerhouse
A big reason why China became such a massive powerhouse was because of its economic reforms to enable a free market. This, coupled with its dedicated resources, has led to this country being one of the most influential in the entire world.
However, around the same time, China in the Fallout universe never even proposed these radical economic reforms. It seems the threat of war was so omnipresent all the time that people just had different things to worry about.
10 1950s Mindset
The Style From This Time Period Remained Intact
The world of Fallout will almost certainly give players a feeling they are in the 1950s. The clothes, the cars, and the music that can be heard all take inspiration from the time period. The world seems to have stopped progressing in the 1950s, instead of taking that style and technology and sticking with it.
The fear of communism also makes a huge appearance in the game, being a similar fear in the real-life 1950s. Exploring the wastelands also reveals greaser gangs, along with their slang from the 50s.
9 Scollay Square Wasn't Torn Down In 1960s
Became A Major Settlement In The Post-Apocalypse
Scollay Square is where the settlement of Goodneighbor is located. The only thing is, the real Scollay Square was torn down in 1962. This is one more thing players can add to the list of Fallout Boston looking different from real Boston.
Scollay Square in Fallout survived destruction and the Great War to become a major settlement in post-war Boston. Players who wander around Goodneighbor might not have known that Scollay Square no longer exists, being torn down to redevelop the area after it became a red-light district.
8 Washington Post Renamed Capitol Post
A Legendary Newspaper Had Its Name Changed
The Capitol Post takes the place of the Washington Post in the Fallout universe. Players are able to see headlines of the newspaper during the loading screens, showing the United Nations was disbanded and the United States annexed Canada. The newspaper was started in 1877 and served Washington D.C. Until the Great War.
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Players can meet a reporter for the newspaper in the Operation Anchorage DLC. A character named American War Correspondent will take a picture of three soldiers posing.