Fallout 4 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the future Fallout 4 by Bethesda Softworks.

What is Fallout 4?
Fallout 4 will likely be a futuristic post-apocalyptic action-RPG set in an alternate universe based on 50s pulp sci-fi, as if the world had stopped in the optimistic 50s and found itself on a dystopian post-apocalyptic reality. It is expected to be a sequel to the games Fallout, Fallout 2 and Fallout 3.

Is it in production?
Fallout 4 is speculated to be the game Bethesda has had in pre-production since at least August 2010. However no annoucement has been made as to any product being developed in the studio.

But will there be one?
Bethesda has previously indicated that they are likely to create more Fallout titles.

Bethesda's Pete Hines said: "The whole reason we went out and acquired the license and that we now own Fallout is that we clearly intended to make more than one." He also added: "This is not something we're going to do once and then go away and never do it again. When that will be or how long that will be God only knows, but we acquired it specifically because we wanted to own it and develop it and work on it like we do with The Elder Scrolls."

Fallout memorabilia has also been made available on the Bethesda store.

Will it be a MMORPG?
As no game has been announced, we simply cannot say.

Interplay licensed the rights to a Fallout MMORPG from Bethesda in 2007 and is currently developing it under the codename Project V13. Bethesda recently moved to rescind the Fallout MMORPG license, claiming that Interplay is in breach of the licensing agreement. Interplay disputes these claims. As of January, 2012, Bethesda settled the case with Interplay relinqushing any claim for 2 million.

It is however unlikely that Bethesda Softworks would develop a Fallout MMO. Zenimax Media (the parent to Bethsda Softworks) own several MMORPG studios that would be more suited to such a role.

For more details, see: Fallout Online FAQ.

Is it the same as Fallout: New Vegas?
Fallout: New Vegas was a separate project developed by Obsidian Entertainment. For more information, see: Fallout: New Vegas FAQ.

Who will be making and publishing Fallout 4?
No game has been announced, but we expect that Fallout 4 would be developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks.

What will Fallout 4 be rated?
Fallout 4 has not been announced yet, but the game will likely have an M rating, as with previous Fallout games. This is due to the general mature themes in the Fallout universe, as well as the gore that is so prevalent throughout Fallout.

When is it going to be released?
No development has been announced yet. However with Bethesda having focused on releasing Dishonored in October 2012, no games slated for a Christmas 2013 release, we do not expect an annoucnement (much less release) for some time.

Is it made by people who made previous Fallouts?
We expect it will be developed by the same team who made Fallout 3, from Bethesda Game Studios. Interplay and Black Isle, the Fallout and Fallout 2 developers, were not involved in the making of Fallout 3.

Who is developing Fallout 4?
The exact list of developers is unknown, although they'll likely be mostly the same as the Fallout 3 developers.

Will any characters from previous Fallouts appear?
Possibly. Erik Todd Dellums, the voice of Three Dog, teased in January 2013 that his voice, and potentially the character, may appear in a future title.

Did Bethesda really invite fan suggestions in mid 2013 for Fallout 4?
No.

For years the Bethesda Forums have maintained an "Official" suggestion thread for fan ideas. The purpose of this thread is not to solicit fan ideas, but organize those that are coming in anyway.

"This topic is for a friendly discussion of ideas and suggestions for Fallout 4. This thread is so that we can keep all the discussion in one place."

- Bethesda Forums boilerplate comment put in every single suggestion thread

As per Bethesda Forum policy, all threads are closed at 200 posts. Being a popular topic, a similar topic is posted again almost immediately after the previous ones closure, by a forum moderator.

All forum moderators are volunteer members of the forum community, and are not Bethesda/Zenimax staff. They do not speak for any Bethesda/Zenimax group company in any capacity. (The exceptions are those identified as community managers, such as Gstaff and Nick Breckton).

Sadly, this story has been alleged by an online news site a number of times who are clearly unaware of how the Bethesda forums work

Has Bethesda filed for a Fallout 4 trademark?
On the 14th of November, 2013, Bethesda Softworks LLC filed for a European trademark corresponding to Fallout 4 with the Trade Marks and Designs Registration Office of the European Union (OHIM).

However, this trademark was withdrawn and nullified on November 27th, 2013.