Fallout: Exploring the Global Impact, Beyond the United States

Fallout's exploration of the American nuclear post-apocalypse, combined with the anticipation of Fallout 5, has left fans wondering if the series will ever venture beyond the United States. The absence of Fallout content outside of America is particularly noticeable with the announcement of Fallout: London, a fan-made project that showcases the untapped potential Bethesda is disregarding. However, despite the demand from fans, taking Fallout to other countries would undermine the core ideas and themes of the series.

One straightforward explanation for Fallout's exclusively American setting is that the games are primarily targeted towards an American audience. However, this argument no longer holds true in today's globalized gaming industry, with Bethesda and the Fallout franchise enjoying widespread popularity and recognition. Despite this, each new installment continues to feature an American backdrop, suggesting that the series has established a distinct narrative with specific political and social commentaries that are deeply rooted in the United States. These elements will continue to shape Fallout 5 and future games.

Fallout Turned The Cold War Hot

Fallout's defining story element revolves around a post-apocalyptic America recovering from nuclear fallout. Unlike real-world events with America and Russia, Fallout presents an alternate timeline where China replaces Russia. Some speculate if Fallout 5 will explore China's role in the narrative. However, the underlying motivation remains rooted in the Cold War and the fear-mongering Red Scare that plagued the United States after World War II. This political sentiment permeates throughout the Fallout games.

Notably, Fallout does not explicitly endorse an anti-communist message. Instead, it cleverly satirizes American exceptionalism and blind patriotism by adopting a reactionary political stance. The prime example of this is Liberty Prime, a robotic superweapon created to serve on the front lines and act as a propaganda symbol for the Americans. Despite its absurd concept and design, Liberty Prime becomes a significant element in Fallout 3 and Fallout 4, as different factions strive to make the literal giant automaton operational, regardless of the impossibility.

Fallout Let Capitalism Rule The World

However, Fallout's criticism extends beyond politics and delves into the boundless capitalist society of 1950s America. The series notably targets this aspect, exemplified by Fallout's portrayal of Vault-Tec. Masking their intentions as concern for the well-being and protection of humanity, Vault-Tec's vaults were actually inhumane, unethical, and involved unscientific experiments on unknowing subjects. These experiments vividly illustrate the dangers of unregulated capitalism and the lengths to which capitalists will go to achieve their own objectives.

The unique combination of unchecked capitalism and patriotic exceptionalism found in the United States during the Fallout era is unparalleled and essential to the series. While other countries may have similar technological advancements, political ideologies, and powerful corporations and nations, none can rival America from the 1950s onwards. Choosing a different setting for a Fallout game would undermine the core spirit that the series embodies, particularly when the recent installments continue to expose the realities of present-day America.