The Retro-Futuristic World of Fallout is a Divergent History
In short: The Fallout universe presents a world where the 1950s never truly ended. Instead of moving forward, humanity leaned into nuclear power to create a kitsch, analogue aesthetic that persisted until the bombs fell in 2077. It is a study in alternative history rather than a realistic projection of our future.
The world of Fallout is defined by a specific historical divergence. Following World War II, humanity did not follow our actual technological trajectory. Instead, the narrative depicts a society that leaned heavily into nuclear power, resulting in a 'retro-futuristic' evolution. This created a world characterized by a 1950s aesthetic, featuring kitsch home appliances and robots, which persisted well into the 21st century. This 'Leave it to Beaver' atmosphere serves as the cultural backdrop for the series' technological and social structures. The narrative highlights a world of kitsch home appliances and Matt Berry-voiced robots. This unique atmosphere is described as an alternative version of the Leave it to Beaver show. It serves as a stark contrast to our own technological history.
The geopolitical landscape of this timeline also differs from our own. In this reality, the United States reformed into thirteen distinct Commonwealths. This structure remained stable until the 'Great War' on October 23, 2077, when a nuclear conflict between the United States and China devastated the globe. The story takes place 219 years after this catastrophe, primarily focusing on the regions near Los Angeles and the remains of California. The series takes place specifically near Los Angeles. It explores the remains of California after the nuclear war. The story begins with the protagonist leaving Vault 33.
Central to the survival of the 'wholesome' pre-war society was Vault-Tec, a powerful mega-corporation. Leveraging its wealth against a near-bankrupt government, Vault-Tec secured contracts to build a series of massive underground bunkers known as Vaults. While these were intended to protect a 'lucky' few from radiation, the narrative explores the tension between the projected perfection of these hideouts and the reality of the dangerous Wasteland that exists on the surface. Only a fortunate minority inhabited these distinct, numbered subterranean bunkers. They hunkered down for generations to ensure survival. The protagonists often chart a journey across the dangerous Wasteland.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Watch These Mistakes Before Seeing The Sci Fi Series Fallout
- Also: Fallout: the hit game turned TV show explained
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