15 Fallout Fan Theories That Are Actually Real (And 10 The Creators Totally Rejected)
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Fans love to come up with theories surrounding the Fallout universe. Here are 15 times that fans were right and 10 times they were totally wrong!
You Are Reading :15 Fallout Fan Theories That Are Actually Real (And 10 The Creators Totally Rejected)
The Fallout series is an in-depth role-playing game with decades of history. What first began as a young adult’s quest to save his family from dehydration grew into a universe with government conspiracies and alien lifeforms. The current developer and publisher of the series, Bethesda, isn’t slowing down any time soon. With the newest release of their MMORPG Fallout 76, there are new stories in the Fallout universe to be told.
Since the first game was released, theories began circulating about the characters and what they are capable of. The theories started spreading quickly thanks to internet forums. They combed through the game, looking for cut content or terminal entries that would give more insight into the world. They wanted to find out if there were mentions of a future sequel or references to past games.
Some fan theories have been proven correct, whether it’s within the games or in future sequels. Other theories may only be considered accurate for a short time, but then are made obsolete in future games. Fallout 76 completely changed the timeline, making what was previously considered as proven lore to false facts.
Some outlandish fan theories are completely false. These ideas range from innocent misunderstandings of a character’s age to predicting future events. Bethesda is often quick to correct any issues, but some responses leave gamers frustrated.
As more games are released, fans debate new theories. We’ve compiled a spoiler-filled list of some theories fans got right and others that the creators quickly proved wrong.
25 False: Felines Are Extinct
The first two Fallout games focused on the West Coast. Though dogs were roaming California, there was a lack of cats. The terminal entries explained that due to food shortages, desperate settlers consumed their feline friends as a last resort. Fallout 4 proved this theory wrong.
Cats weren’t extinct in America, only on the West Coast.
Cats were still alive and well on the East Coast. Most of them came from Vault 88. Since they were safe within the underground bunker, they managed to survive for over two decades.
24 True: The Mojave Has A Lone Wolf
Fallout: New Vegas takes place in the Mojave Wasteland. There are a variety of friendly humans and hostile creatures. Some humans have also chosen to live a reclusive life. The Lone Wolf Radio trailer is a metal structure in the desert. There is no sign of life around the trailer.
Gamers have speculated this building belongs to someone who has little trust for modern technology. One of the game’s designers has proven this theory correct. Dini McMurry was inspired by an outspoken conspiracy theorist at the University of Oregon.
23 True: Urban Legends Aren’t Just Legends
Fallout 76 takes players to West Virginia. The region has its fair share of mythical beasts, including the Mothman. Gamers began spotting the shadow of the creature in the sky. Bethesda stayed quiet about the inclusion of the monster in the game for months.
After the Fallout 76 beta went live, gamers were proven right. The folklore creature was part of the game. It can only be discovered during a random encounter. If you try to capture it, the beast will fly away. If you find yourself enamored by the monster, the pre-war faction “Cult of the Mothman” should be your next destination.
22 False: Jet Was Invented By A Young Genius
Jet is an addictive chem that has been part of every Fallout game. It is crafted from Brahmin remains and placed in an inhaler. It gives the user additional action points to use in VATS.
Fallout 2 stated Jet was invented by a young genius named Myron around 2241.
It was why his family was one of the richest in the region. Fallout 4 proved this wrong. A pre-war terminal file from 2077 explains that Jet existed before the Great War. This file proves that Myron was not the original inventor of the chem.
21 True: Vault-Tec Wasn’t Working Alone
Vault-Tec put on the appearance as a large corporation who wanted to help others. Their advanced technology had the potential to make American lives better. Behind the scenes, gamers realized the company had much more devious plans. They were working with the government to make vaults, but for more devious intentions.
With the government’s approval, Vault-Tec created experimental vaults. Although they had a close relationship, Vault-Tec didn’t give away all their secrets. They maintained a Secret Vault with their most valuable secrets to use after the war. Vault-Tec was working to ensure their services were needed for centuries to come.
20 True: Dr. Li Hasn’t Forgotten Her Roots
Dr. Madison Li is the first person the Lone Wanderer sees during birth. The doctor worked with the Brotherhood of Steel to bring Project Purity to life. After Aqua Pura was distributed among the Capital Wasteland, she decided to join the Institute. She wanted to continue working to help people. Many wondered if she gave up on her old group.
Upon speaking with her, you’ll learn that Dr. Li still respects the Brotherhood. It’s easy to convince her to rejoin the group and work on Liberty Prime. She thanks the Sole Survivor for helping her reunite with the Brotherhood.
19 False: A Variety Of Super Mutants
A vast majority of Super Mutants lack any variety. Most of these creatures appear the same but wear different styles of armor. The only differences are Super Mutant Behemoths and The Master in Fallout 1. When Fallout 3 was initially released, players wondered if there were different genders of Super Mutants.
Though Super Mutants were born as humans, the mutation process changes them forever.
Some, like Lily or Tabitha, remember their past lives and pretend to be who they once were. Others become hostile monsters who attack the protagonist on sight.
18 True: Your Spouse Returns
The Sole Survivor has a predetermined background. They are married but separated after entering Vault 111. Either Nate or Nora will be eliminated by Kellogg when the Institute steals Shaun.
Many have wondered if the Sole Survivor was a spouse, or if they’d see their significant other again. Bethesda originally intended to bring back Nate or Nora in the cut side quest “The Replacement.” Nate or Nora would return to the Commonwealth as a Synth. We don’t know why the quest was cut, but we know that Bethesda intended to bring the lovebirds back together, 200 years in the future.
17 True: It Wasn’t A Sign Of Approval
A “thumbs up” is a symbol of many meanings. To most, it is a sign of approval. The symbol has a different meaning in Fallout. Vault Boy is often seen flashing this sign, but it’s not doing it to approve your actions. He’s giving a “thumbs up” to see if it’s safe to leave the vault.
In the event of an atomic bomb, the U.S. government prepared some precautions. If a person sees a bomb explode, they should measure the blast with their thumb. If it was bigger than the person’s thumb, then it was a sign to evacuate immediately.
16 False: Super Mutants Can Have Families
Chris Avellone is a developer who worked on the original Fallout series. He wrote the Fallout Bible, which was considered to be a resource for the series. Bethesda considers the resource to be non-canon to the current version of their series.
Many were led to believe that Super Mutants could create children.
This theory is incorrect. Super Mutants are created by experimenting on humans against their will. The only way to make more of these spooky creatures is to capture unsuspecting civilians.
15 True: Chosen One Jr.
The Fallout series has primarily starred a protagonist on a mission. There is little emphasis on finding a special someone. In Fallout 2, the Chosen One is sent to retrieve a G.E.C.K. to save their homeland. Several side quests take them off-track. If the Chosen One is a male, they leave behind a legacy. Even if the Chosen One doesn’t choose to spend extra time with the Bishop family, the end slides prove that they created a child. The Chosen One returns home and continues life, unaware of their young son.
14 False: Updates Are Automatic
The Pip-Boy is one of the most advanced pieces of technology in America. It can slow down time to land the perfect attack, sort inventory, and display a map all while playing your favorite radio station. Some players might believe the Pip-Boy’s information automatically updates, especially when NPCs state they’ll mark a location on your map.
Fallout 2 proves that Pip-Boys don’t automatically update. This is why there is outdated information on the Chosen One’s Pip-Boy. These machines can only receive updates by plugging it into a terminal.
13 True: Not All Vaults Are Bad
It quickly became evident in the Fallout series that Vault-Tec wasn’t working in the best interest of the people. They used unsuspecting civilians for social experiments.
Most fans believe that every vault used as a testing ground, but not every vault was used for terrible reasons.
In Fallout: New Vegas, Vault 3 was a standard vault. The only reason the residents inside were harmed was due to the outside dangers of the country. Though many vaults were harmful, some vaults were safe havens, exactly as Vault-Tec advertised.
12 False: Their Games Are Set In A Single Universe
Within the Brotherhood of Steel’s Prydwen, Scholars are performing extensive research. They are growing various vegetation so that they don’t have to rely on trading with settlers. Within this vegetation is a plant that was previously only found in The Elder Scrolls series. Fans began to speculate the games took place within the same universe. Bethesda’s Marketing Executive Pete Hines quickly proved the theory wrong by stating “there isn’t any universe in which those universes are in the same universe.”
11 True: A Spy Among Us
The Institute is always watching the Commonwealth. They have Synths who have infiltrated society, such as Mayor McDonough. The Sole Survivor may suspect someone was following them around Boston. Deacon is a member of The Railroad, which helps Synths escape the Institute. He’s taken an interest in the Sole Survivor. If you’ve ever felt like someone was watching you, you’d be completely right. Deacon isn’t any danger to the Sole Survivor unless you side with the Brotherhood of Steel or the Institute. He wants to help others, no matter what risks he may face.
10 False: He Changed Inside The Vault
Fallout 3 brought the franchise to new players. Most had little knowledge of how Super Mutants operated. They only knew that these spooky creatures were once humans.
A fan theory began to circulate that one of the recruitable companions, Fawkes, was female.
This theory was proven wrong in several ways. Though the majority of Super Mutants don’t have genders, lead designer Emil Pagliarulo clearly stated that “Trust me, Fawkes is and was male.” Another hint is that Fawkes wears a tattered male Vault suit.
9 True: Long-Time Use Is Dangerous
There is a lack of healing items in the Fallout universe. Every item has to be used with care. Some believe that items can be used back-to-back without any issues. This isn’t the case. Every item has a side-effect, such as addiction or worse.
Long-term use of Stealth Boys can have a long-term effect on its user. Nightkin are particularly at risk. Since they use the items at a high frequency, they have suffered the worst side effects. Doctor Henry in Jacobstown stated these effects range from delusions and schizophrenia.
8 False: Aliens Are Friendly Creatures
Aliens have existed in the Fallout series from the beginning. Most of the time, we have only seen proof of their visitations, such as a crash landing or their remains. Many felt terrible for them because they believe aliens were only interested in humans. Fallout 3 proves that these creatures aren’t looking out for our best interests.
Aliens are hostile towards humans. For centuries, they have taken innocent humans and kept them prisoners on their ships. In Fallout 4, the surviving alien immediately attacks the Sole Survivor. Aliens exist, but it’s better to avoid them.
7 True: There Were Visitors In The Commonwealth
Pre-war America warned civilians of the threat of war. Most buildings have posters with propaganda warning not to trust strangers. Many believed that these images were false. Fallout 4 proves the government was right all along.
There were spies from other countries trying to harm civilians.
The Yangtze submarine is trapped in the harbor, trying to return home. Captain Zao realizes the war is over, but can’t make the repairs to his ship. The Sole Survivor can consider him another survivor of the devastating war and help him return home, or refuse to help an enemy spy.
6 False: Super Mutants Originated In California
For decades, gamers were led to believe that the Master created Super Mutants in 2103. They were eventually created with the Forced Evolutionary Virus (F.E.V.) in Vault 87 and unleashed on the East Coast. Bethesda has proved this wrong.
The first Super Mutants were created on the East Coast, a few decades after the Great War ended. West Tek experimented by contaminating the local water with F.E.V. Super Mutants began roaming across Appalachia before The Master obtained the right equipment.
Link Source : https://www.thegamer.com/fallout-fan-theories-creators-actually-real/