The Fallout franchise has become more popular than ever, especially following the success of Amazon Prime Video’s hit television series. With its post-apocalyptic setting, unforgettable characters, mysterious underground vaults, and dangerous factions, Fallout offers an expansive universe filled with stories spanning more than two centuries.
However, with multiple video games, spin-offs, and a television adaptation, understanding the correct Fallout timeline can be confusing, particularly for newcomers.
Whether you’re exploring the wasteland for the first time or returning to experience the franchise again, this guide covers the complete Fallout timeline in chronological order, including every major game and the TV series.
From the beginning of the nuclear apocalypse in 2077 to the events of the television adaptation in 2296, here’s everything you need to know about the Fallout universe.
Note: This article contains major spoilers for the Fallout games and television series. Some entries also include flashbacks to earlier periods, so their stories may cover multiple years.
Understanding the Fallout Timeline: When Does It Begin?
Although most Fallout stories take place after the nuclear apocalypse of 2077, the franchise’s alternate history begins much earlier.
The Fallout universe follows a different historical path from our own. Its distinctive retro-futuristic technology, culture, and political landscape developed throughout the 20th century, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s.
In 1969, the United States is reorganised into 13 commonwealths rather than the 50 states we know today. Technological development also takes a different direction, with significant advancements in robotics, nuclear energy, military technology, and artificial intelligence.
As international tensions increase and natural resources become increasingly scarce, the threat of nuclear war becomes more realistic. This eventually leads to the rise of Vault-Tec, a powerful corporation responsible for constructing underground shelters designed to protect selected citizens from nuclear destruction.
However, not all Vaults are designed simply for survival. Many are secretly created to conduct unethical scientific experiments on their residents, making Vault-Tec one of the most important organisations in Fallout history.
Everything changes on October 23, 2077, when nuclear bombs devastate the world in an event known as the Great War.
This catastrophe marks the beginning of the post-apocalyptic wasteland explored throughout the Fallout franchise.
Fallout Games in Chronological Order
The Fallout universe contains several major games, each exploring different locations, characters, and periods of post-war history. Here is how they fit together chronologically.
1. Fallout 4 Prologue (2077): The Great War Begins
Timeline: October 23, 2077
The Fallout journey officially enters its post-apocalyptic era with the opening sequence of Fallout 4.
Although Fallout 4 is one of the later games in the franchise, its opening takes place before the nuclear apocalypse.
Players begin their journey in an ordinary American neighbourhood, creating their character and experiencing everyday family life. Everything changes when emergency sirens announce incoming nuclear attacks.
With only minutes to spare, the family rushes towards Vault 111, hoping to escape the destruction.
Inside the Vault, residents are placed into cryogenic chambers under the promise of protection. However, things are not what they seem.
This opening sequence gives players a rare opportunity to witness the Great War directly rather than discovering its consequences through environmental storytelling.
The year 2077 also plays an important role in the Fallout television series, which frequently explores events from before the nuclear apocalypse.
2. Fallout 76 (2102): The Beginning of the Fallout Game Timeline
Timeline: 2102 (original main storyline)
Fallout 76 takes players to one of the earliest post-war settings in the franchise.
Set in West Virginia, the game begins 25 years after the Great War, when residents of Vault 76 finally emerge into the devastated world.
Unlike other Fallout games, which generally focus on established wasteland societies, Fallout 76 explores the earliest attempts to restore civilisation.
Players take on the role of a Vault Dweller tasked with helping rebuild Appalachia while investigating what happened to the region after the nuclear attacks.
One of the major threats is the Scorched, a dangerous mutated population connected to the mysterious Scorchbeasts.
The game also introduces early versions of important Fallout factions, including the Brotherhood of Steel, while exploring the origins of several wasteland organisations.
As an online multiplayer RPG, Fallout 76 continues to receive updates and expansions. Its later story content extends beyond its original 2102 setting.
3. Fallout (2161): The Original Fallout Story
Timeline: 2161
Released in 1997, the original Fallout introduced players to the post-apocalyptic world that would eventually become one of gaming’s most recognisable franchises.
The story takes place 84 years after the Great War.
Players assume the role of the Vault Dweller, a resident of Vault 13 who is sent into the wasteland to find a replacement water chip after the Vault’s original equipment fails.
What initially appears to be a straightforward survival mission soon becomes a much larger adventure.
During the journey, the Vault Dweller discovers the threat of the Master, a powerful mutant leader seeking to transform humanity into an army of Super Mutants using the Forced Evolutionary Virus (FEV).
The player must stop the Master’s plans and prevent the destruction of humanity.
The story also establishes several important elements of Fallout lore, including Super Mutants, the Brotherhood of Steel, and the early history of the New California Republic.
Despite successfully completing the mission, the Vault Dweller is ultimately prevented from returning to Vault 13, setting up the events of the next game.
4. Fallout Tactics (2197): Brotherhood of Steel Timeline
Timeline: 2197
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel is a tactical spin-off that focuses heavily on the Brotherhood of Steel.
Unlike the main Fallout RPGs, this entry emphasises squad-based combat, military strategy, and faction development.
The story follows a group of Brotherhood soldiers as they travel through the wasteland, fighting dangerous enemies and expanding the organisation’s influence.
It provides additional insight into the Brotherhood of Steel and its attempts to establish control over the post-apocalyptic world.
However, there is an important distinction: Fallout Tactics is not fully considered part of the official Fallout canon. Certain elements have been referenced or incorporated into later lore, but its entire storyline should not be treated as established canon.
For players interested in exploring every Fallout release, it is worth experiencing. However, those following only the main canonical storyline can treat it as optional.
5. Fallout 2 (2241): The Next Generation of Vault Dwellers
Timeline: 2241
Taking place 80 years after the original Fallout, Fallout 2 continues the story of the wasteland and explores the legacy of the original Vault Dweller.
This time, players control the Chosen One, a descendant of the original Vault Dweller who belongs to a community known as Arroyo.
The community faces a devastating crisis, and the Chosen One is sent on a mission to find a Garden of Eden Creation Kit (G.E.C.K.), a powerful Vault-Tec device capable of helping restore devastated environments.
During the journey, players encounter several major factions, including the New California Republic and the Enclave.
The Enclave emerges as one of the game’s primary antagonists. Its members seek to eliminate the mutated population of the wasteland and establish their own vision of humanity’s future.
The Chosen One eventually confronts the organisation and must stop its plans.
Fallout 2 significantly expands the franchise’s world-building, introducing new settlements, factions, and political conflicts that influence the events of later games.
6. Fallout 3 (2258–2277): Exploring the Capital Wasteland
Timeline: 2258–2277
Fallout 3 moves the story to the Capital Wasteland, the devastated region surrounding Washington, D.C.
The game begins inside Vault 101, where players experience the early life of the Lone Wanderer.
Initially, life inside the Vault appears relatively peaceful. However, everything changes when the protagonist’s father, James, suddenly leaves the shelter.
At the age of 19, the Lone Wanderer follows him into the dangerous wasteland, beginning a journey that uncovers secrets about their family and the wider world.
The central storyline revolves around Project Purity, an ambitious plan to provide clean drinking water to the people of the Capital Wasteland.
Unfortunately, the Enclave also wants control of the project, leading to another major conflict with the Brotherhood of Steel.
The adventure introduces memorable characters, dangerous enemies, and important locations, including Megaton, Rivet City, and the ruins of Washington, D.C.
One of the game’s most memorable elements is Liberty Prime, a massive robotic weapon deployed by the Brotherhood of Steel against the Enclave.
Fallout 3 plays a significant role in expanding the franchise beyond the West Coast and establishing the Capital Wasteland as an important part of its history.
7. Fallout: New Vegas (2281): The Mojave Wasteland
Timeline: 2281
Often regarded as one of the best entries in the franchise, Fallout: New Vegas takes players to the Mojave Wasteland, particularly the city of New Vegas.
Set four years after Fallout 3, the game introduces a new protagonist known as the Courier.
The story begins when the Courier is ambushed and shot while transporting a mysterious package known as the Platinum Chip.
After surviving the attack, the Courier sets out to find the person responsible, becoming involved in a much larger political struggle.
Three major powers compete for control of New Vegas and the surrounding region:
- New California Republic (NCR): A growing republic attempting to establish order and expand its influence.
- Caesar’s Legion: A brutal military organisation inspired by the Roman Empire.
- Mr. House: The powerful ruler of New Vegas who wants to maintain control over the city.
Players can also pursue an independent path through the Yes Man storyline.
Unlike many other entries, Fallout: New Vegas offers several possible endings depending on the player’s decisions and chosen alliances.
Its four major expansion packs also introduce additional locations, characters, and stories that expand the Mojave Wasteland’s history.
8. Fallout 4 (2287): The Commonwealth Story
Timeline: 2287
After the events of its 2077 prologue, Fallout 4 continues its main storyline in the Commonwealth, the post-apocalyptic remains of Massachusetts.
The protagonist, known as the Sole Survivor, awakens from cryogenic sleep inside Vault 111 and discovers that their spouse has been murdered and their infant son, Shaun, has been kidnapped.
Determined to find their missing child, the Sole Survivor leaves the Vault and begins exploring the Commonwealth.
During the journey, players discover that the wasteland is home to several powerful factions, including:
- The Brotherhood of Steel
- The Railroad
- The Minutemen
- The Institute
One of the game’s biggest mysteries revolves around Synths, artificial humans created by the Institute.
As the story develops, the Sole Survivor eventually discovers that Shaun has grown into an elderly man and is now the leader of the Institute.
Players must decide how to approach the conflict, with several possible endings depending on their faction alliances and decisions.
Fallout 4 also introduces a more developed settlement-building system, allowing players to establish communities and rebuild parts of the Commonwealth.
Fallout TV Series Timeline (2296): What Happens After Fallout 4?
Timeline: 2296
The Amazon Prime Video Fallout television series takes place in 2296, making it the furthest point in the franchise’s established main timeline.
Set in Southern California and the surrounding wasteland, the series introduces a new generation of characters while remaining closely connected to the history and events of the games.
The story primarily follows three characters:
Lucy MacLean: A young Vault Dweller who leaves Vault 33 to search for her kidnapped father.
The Ghoul: A mysterious bounty hunter who has survived for more than two centuries after the Great War.
Maximus: A young member of the Brotherhood of Steel seeking to establish his place within the organisation.
The television adaptation explores the relationship between Vault-Tec, the nuclear apocalypse, and the factions that have shaped the wasteland.
It also features flashbacks to the pre-war era, offering additional context about the events leading up to October 23, 2077.
Importantly, the television series is part of the official Fallout continuity and takes place after the events of Fallout 4.
For newcomers, it provides an exciting way to experience the franchise without needing to play every game first.
Complete Fallout Games Timeline in Chronological Order
If you want a quick overview of the Fallout timeline, here’s a complete list of the major games and television series arranged by their chronological settings.
| Year | Fallout Entry | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| 2077 | Fallout 4 Prologue | Before and during the Great War |
| 2102 | Fallout 76 | Appalachia |
| 2161 | Fallout | Southern California |
| 2197 | Fallout Tactics | Brotherhood of Steel |
| 2241 | Fallout 2 | California and surrounding regions |
| 2258–2277 | Fallout 3 | Capital Wasteland |
| 2281 | Fallout: New Vegas | Mojave Wasteland |
| 2287 | Fallout 4 | Commonwealth |
| 2296 | Fallout TV Series | Southern California |
Important: Fallout Tactics is included for completeness, but its full storyline is not considered established canon. Fallout 76’s later updates also expand its story beyond the original starting year.
What Is the Best Order to Play Fallout Games?
If you’re new to the franchise, playing the games in chronological order is a great way to understand how the Fallout universe develops.
However, the original release order is also worth considering because it allows you to experience how the gameplay, storytelling, and world-building evolved over time.
For a chronological experience, follow this order:
- Fallout 4 Prologue (2077)
- Fallout 76 (2102)
- Fallout (2161)
- Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2197, optional)
- Fallout 2 (2241)
- Fallout 3 (2258–2277)
- Fallout: New Vegas (2281)
- Fallout 4 (2287)
- Fallout TV Series (2296)
Fallout Games in Release Order vs Chronological Order
There are two ways to experience the Fallout franchise.
Chronological order: Follow the events of the Fallout universe from the earliest historical setting to the latest. This is ideal for understanding the development of the wasteland and its factions.
Release order: Play the games based on when they were originally released. This allows you to experience the evolution of Fallout’s gameplay mechanics, graphics, and storytelling.
If you are a first-time player, release order is also an excellent option. You can begin with the original Fallout (1997) and gradually explore the newer games.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fallout Timeline
What Is the First Game in the Fallout Timeline?
Fallout 76 is the earliest major main-story game in the post-war timeline, beginning in 2102. However, Fallout 4’s prologue takes place earlier, in 2077, during the Great War.
Is Fallout 76 the Earliest Fallout Game?
Yes, Fallout 76 has the earliest main post-war starting setting among the major Fallout games. It takes place 25 years after the nuclear apocalypse, in 2102.
Does the Fallout TV Series Take Place After Fallout 4?
Yes. The Fallout television series is set in 2296, nine years after Fallout 4’s main storyline, which takes place in 2287.
How Many Years After the Great War Is Fallout 4?
The main story of Fallout 4 takes place 210 years after the Great War of 2077, in the year 2287.
Is Fallout Tactics Part of the Official Fallout Timeline?
Fallout Tactics is not fully considered canon. Although certain elements have connections to later Fallout lore, its complete storyline is not part of the established main continuity.
Will There Be More Fallout Stories After 2296?
The Fallout universe continues to expand through new games and television content. Future stories may explore different periods, locations, and characters. However, their exact chronological placement depends on official announcements and releases.
Final Thoughts: Exploring the Complete Fallout Timeline
The Fallout franchise is much more than a collection of post-apocalyptic video games. It is an interconnected universe filled with political conflicts, technological experiments, survival stories, and the consequences of humanity’s decisions.
From the first Vault Dwellers emerging into the wasteland to the events of the Amazon Prime Video adaptation, the Fallout timeline spans more than 200 years of fascinating stories.
Whether you choose to explore the games in chronological order or jump straight into the television series, there is plenty to discover in the world of Fallout.
Just remember one thing: War never changes.
