Bethesda's Fallout 4 has had mixed reviews among fans. While many loved the improved gameplay, fans found more to critique. Fallout 4 was initially released on November 10, 2015, and fans are already wondering when the next installment will hit stores. Two years came between Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, so fans are speculating about the newest Fallout game (and no, Fallout: Shelter doesn't count). Bethesda has been close-lipped about any sequel to the series, whether it be support for side project from another developer or a numbered release.

Though it would make eager fans happy to hear news about Fallout 5, Bethesda is having a blast releasing content for Fallout 4. They're still tightening up the release of Fallout 4 VR and profiting off mods from the Creation Club. While we hope they don't take The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim route and re-release the game several times, even on the Nintendo Switch, it's Bethesda's choice if they want to progress the series now or wait until the magic's worn out.

No matter what Bethesda chooses to do, fans will speculate about Fallout 5 until the last DLC is released. Fans love to spread gossip and overanalyze trailers with what may or may not happen. We've compiled a list of some of those rumors on what has a high probability of happening and what is just a dream that only has a chance of life through extensive mods. Beware: our list contains spoilers for the entire Fallout series.

20 You (Still) Can’t Climb That Ladder

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In the world of Fallout, America is trying to recover from the Great War. Homes are demolished, and people have to rebuild. There are still plenty of pre-war buildings around that you'll find yourself scavenging through to find some loot. These buildings all share the same common trait: you can't climb ladders. Sure, you may see a ladder, but you won't witness yourself or an NPC climbing one. Due to the game engine that Bethesda has used for multiple game series, they don't allow characters to use a ladder. While we're sure that climbing a ladder is a small critique to most players, for those who like to immerse themselves in the world, it's another reason why Fallout is lacking in role-playing.

19 It’s Like I’m Really Getting Radiation Poisoning!

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Bethesda decided to bring two of their most recent, popular games Skyrim and Fallout 4 into the virtual reality world. It not only gave them the opportunity to make money off a previously released game but also to bring their development practices into the current year. With Fallout 5 not being likely for several more years, Bethesda will have time to focus on VR as a same-day release. That means that fans will be able to choose from a non-VR or VR game as soon as the game is available for pre-order. Having more options available for fans will mean that they’re more likely to make a purchase on release day and buy the game later. Either way, Bethesda will make a sale.

18 You’re Still Going To Be A Fish Out Of Water

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The numbered Fallout series has always focused on someone who lived in a vault or is a direct descendant of one. Fallout 2 gave us the Chosen One, who wasn't living in a Vault but still has DNA from the original Vault Dweller. Fallout: New Vegas' protagonist didn't have any mention of their background, but we can only assume that since the Western USA was more established, they didn't have to live in a vault.

Bethesda especially liked a former Vault Dweller because it made newcomers to the series more comfortable.

Being someone who lived in an isolated area helped give the player someone to relate to. Just like them, the Vault Dweller didn't know about the post-apocalyptic world. We don't see Bethesda removing the "fresh out of the Vault" protagonist from Fallout 5.

17 Still Angering PC Gamers Who Love Mods

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When Bethesda first rolled out the Creation Club in Fallout 4, PC gamers were furious. The Creation Club finally gave console players a way to add some mods to their game. For PC users, it conflicted with the Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE), which is essential for some mods to run. Every time the Creation Club updates, it breaks the F4SE, which means some PC players can't play until it's updated. Bethesda is focused on their product. They're able to sell credits for cosmetic mods that have proved popular among some fans. There's no reason why they would remove the Creation Club from any future Fallout, and potentially Elder Scrolls, game. We'll just have to hope that one day both script extenders by modders and the Creation Club can play nice.

16 3D Action Gameplay Is Here To Stay

via: gamespot.com

Fallout 1 and 2 featured isometric gameplay that was popular with role-players at the time. Tim Cain created the entire game engine the first two games used. After Bethesda purchased the IP from Interplay, they traded the isometric world for 3D. Obviously, long-time fans were furious but calmed down when Obsidian worked with Bethesda to release Fallout: New Vegas. Bethesda seems to be trying to move forward with their graphics and gameplay, even though other RPGs are seeing success with isometric games. Bethesda has heard some cries from older fans to return to the past, but the developer and publisher aren’t budging. They already have a vision for the future of Fallout. Just like Cain created Fallout’s engine, Bethesda wants to make a unique path in the world of gaming.

15 Fast Travel Will Be One Of Many Options

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Black Isle Studios' Fallout 1 and 2 featured vehicles the player could ride. While they didn't offer a Gran Turismo experience, it was completely believable that America was able to get some vehicles up and running. Fallout 3 and 4 had Vertibirds where players could ride through the skies, or at least watch one from the ground.

Unfortunately, players weren't able to pilot one.

It only makes sense that a future Fallout 5 game would give players the option to drive through the world in some land, air, or water-type vehicle. Fast Travel will always be available for impatient gamers, but role-players are seeking more options, other than walking, jogging, or sprinting. We can only hope that Bethesda's future technology will allow us to drive one of the old cars littering the Commonwealth.

14 Wandering The Wasteland Will Still Be Lonely

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It’s a lonely path wandering the wastelands of post-apocalyptic America. Most of the Fallout games feature the protagonist leaving their companions and the factions behind to start a new life. If you were close to Cass in Fallout: New Vegas, she’s ready to "intimately celebrate" with the Courier and is disappointed to find her companion gone. Fallout wants gamers to feel how hopeless the world has become. There are even perks to assist you in playing the game solo, except for Dogmeat. Some love playing with Companions but don't find an AI as fulfilling as a real person. Players have been requesting an online version of Fallout for years. Bethesda has told them no each time and focused on creating memorable single-player game experiences instead.

13 They’re Already Hard At Work

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As soon as Nuka-World, the last Fallout 4 DLC, dropped, fans demanded news about Fallout 5. Bethesda had promised more post-game content and didn't release as much content as fans were expecting. In 2016, a year after the release of Fallout 4, the voice of Deacon, Ryan Alosio, misled fans by stating Fallout 5 was in development. Bethesda laughed off the rumor, stating they didn't want to be an Elder Scrolls or Fallout vending machine and were working on other projects.

Now, three years have passed since Fallout 4 has been released.

Since we already know what Bethesda doesn't plan on adding to the game, we know that ideas are already circulating through their offices. While we don't expect any Fallout 5 news at any upcoming E3s, we can assume Bethesda's developers are planning their next installment of the series.

12 Sorry, You’re Still A Smooth Skin

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In every Fallout game, you are forced to play as a human. You may be accused of being a Synth in Fallout 4: Far Harbor, but there’s no proof your human body was discarded and replaced. The Fallout series contains a variety of humanoid creatures, such as Super Mutants, Ghouls, and advanced Synth models, but you don't get the opportunity to play as one. The closest you may get to be a non-human is pretending to be a ghoul in Fallout 3. It seems like the most basic protagonist to play as, but it’s a safe bet for Bethesda. By making a protagonist that can be easily crafted by players, gamers can be anyone they want. There’s a doubtful chance that we’ll never get to play as a non-human in the Fallout series, and that includes Fallout 5.

11 Being Bad Shouldn’t Feel So Good

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The Fallout protagonists have all been good people swept up in another faction’s problems. You may get the opportunity to become evil as time goes on, but the game often focuses on a goody-two-shoes young adult. Black Isle Studios’ original isometric Fallout 3 would have focused on someone convicted of a crime.

After being locked up, you had the opportunity to do good in the world or become a villain.

We can see how the game would focus on someone evil for once to give players a different perspective of the post-apocalyptic world. These roles may range from an employee of Vault-Tec, the company that manufactured vaults that experimented on innocent people or even a Raider who has only known a life of crime.

10 You'll Be Free To Create Your Own Path

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Before Fallout 4, the series has been loose with the backstory of its protagonists. Developers wanted to ensure that role players could be immersed in the world they created. Fallout 4 changed things. Nate was a military veteran while Nora was a Lawyer. When engaged in conversation, they spoke about events from their past, such as Nora's college days. Even worse, Bethesda decided that your character was married, had a child, and is now a widow. Though fans enjoyed Fallout 4, they complained about how Bethesda removed crucial role-play elements from the series. There was an illusion of choice throughout Fallout 4, as characters didn't truly feel they were the voice of their character. Fallout 5 has a low chance of repeating the mistakes of the past concerning a predetermined character.

9 The End Of “Yes (Sarcastic)”

via: kotaku.com

Fallout 4's dialogue choices were vastly different from previous games. In other Fallout installments, you had a clear idea of what you would say. It's obvious that developers wanted to try out Bioware's infamous Dialogue wheels from Mass Effect and Dragon Age, but were not as successful bringing the idea to life. In Fallout 4, most responses were "Yes," "Yes (Sarcastic)," and "No."

Fallout 4's Creative Director Todd Howard spoke to Gamespot about his regrets with the game. He stated "Obviously the way we did some dialogue stuff, that didn't work as well. But I know the reasons we tried that—to make a nice interactive conversation—but [it was] less successful than some other things in the game." Fallout 5 will likely remove the wheel and head back to the drawing board on how to improve conversation in the series.

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There have been more Fallout games developed by members of Black Isle Studios than Bethesda. To date, Bethesda has only fully developed Fallout 3 and 4 by themselves. They had a small part of Fallout: New Vegas, but a majority of the game was created by Obsidian. Long-time fans of the series believe that Bethesda is only making the series worse and they don’t know how to develop Fallout anymore.

Obsidian has expressed that they would love to work on the series again but accept the changes that Bethesda has made.

Obsidian is busy growing on their own as a developer of isometric RPGs like Pillars of Eternity. It’s unlikely that Bethesda will sell the Fallout IP or hand over the reigns to anyone else.

7 Will Take Place After The Institute’s Reign

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Fallout 3 takes place in 2277, while Fallout 4 takes place a mere ten years later. In between that time, the Courier was wandering the Mojave Wasteland in Fallout: New Vegas. If Fallout 5 follows the same pattern of Fallout 4, we can only assume it’ll take place after the events of Fallout 4.

We don’t know which ending would be considered canon to Fallout 4. It’s almost certain that if you take out Elder Maxson’s Brotherhood of Steel, another BoS group will rise on the East Coast. Since Bethesda did so well with the companions of Fallout 4, it’s likely to see them return if the timeline isn’t too far in the future. While it's rumored the series will take place beyond 2287, many fans would still love to see a game take place earlier than 2277 as well.

6 Don’t Look Forward To Building A Guild

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News of Bethesda and Interplay’s legal fight over Fallout Online spread quickly online. Many wondered if we’d ever see an MMORPG version of the game happen. Bethesda won the lawsuit but hasn’t done anything with the new property. Fans took it upon themselves to create unofficial servers of the game to try to hold onto the original. It’s not impossible to believe that the next entry in the series would be an MMORPG. Bethesda and Zenimax made Elder Scrolls Online one of the most popular MMORPGs around and could easily work their magic again with a Fallout Online. Since Bethesda has focused on a single-player experience for their Fallout series so far, it’s unlikely any sequel will have any online play at all, unless you count the Creation Club.

5 It’ll Be So Much Smoother To Waste Those Raiders

via: gamesradar.com

Fallout 4 was created using the same engine as Skyrim. Many were surprised that Bethesda didn't try anything new at the time, but were just happy to hear about a new Fallout game. Fans were shocked that there weren't many improvements on the graphics or gameplay. Firearm animations and speech were improved, but there were still issues in optimization.

Some gamers experienced crash-to-desktop issues that hindered their gameplay experience.

Bethesda has already expressed that they want to work on a new game engine. They're already improving their development with their latest games like the Dishonored series and Prey. These improvements mean that Fallout 4 will take a little longer to be released. If Bethesda can fix the animation styles, add ladders, and improve their graphics, the wait will be well worth it.

4 We Won’t Be Revisiting The Mojave Wasteland

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After the release of Fallout 4, fans were ready for a new game. For some reason, fans assumed that game would be a sequel to Fallout: New Vegas. Fans of the desert-based game were hoping that Bethesda would give Obsidian another chance to make a Fallout game. To some, Fallout 3 and 4 don't exist, and Fallout: New Vegas was the real sequel to Fallout 3. Those thoughts might be because New Vegas used ideas from Black Isle Studios' Fallout 3: Van Buren. Rumors started flying when gamers heard that Obsidian was traveling to New Orleans to explore the swamps for inspiration. That project ended up having nothing to do with Fallout and turned out to be Pillars of Eternity 2. Bethesda doesn't seem to be contacting Obsidian about collaborating on another Fallout game anytime soon.

3 Won’t Be Playing It Anytime Soon

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Bethesda made it clear that they want to focus on other projects. Sure, they have expressed their love for the Elder Scrolls and Fallout series, but they're a creative and diverse team. Their efforts of developing new IPs have paid off, and they've made some incredible games outside of the Fallout series. Though gamers may flood Bethesda's social media posts with cries of "Fallout 5 when?," it takes a lot of time and effort to create a game. Bethesda is likely considering all of the new video game technology has been released since 2015. Fallout 5 will be an even bigger project than Fallout 4. For those still feeling impatient, just remember that there were seven long years in-between the release of Fallout 3 and 4.

2 Will Bring Us To The Great Wall

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When the bombs fell in the Great War, we know that America was hit hard. The West Coast rebuilt fairly quickly, but technology on the East Coast was lacking. Many fans have wondered what happened to the people in other countries. China was a big part of the war, and fans wondered if the next game would take them overseas.

Unfortunately, it's highly unlikely that we'll ever wander the Great Wall of China.

Fallout has always been a series about the post-apocalyptic United States. The retro visuals and music have been at the heart of the series. To take Fallout to another continent would necessarily create a different game. Fans hoping for Fallout to travel outside of America will have to be content with Fallout 3's DLC Mothership Zeta.

1 Might Get Trapped In A Mutated Gator’s Lair

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The Fallout series has primarily focused on the West and East Coast. We've traveled to several sections of the West Coast in Fallout 1, 2, and New Vegas. Fallout 3 and 4 have taken us from the Capital Wasteland to the Commonwealth. The developers may have trapped us in these regions because it was easier to thread the storyline together. However, Bethesda took a huge risk moving Fallout 3 to Washington D.C., which ended up paying off. One portion of the United States that hasn't been explored is the South. There was a PlayStation game entitled Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel that took place in Texas, but it was so poorly received that Bethesda considers it a non-canon entry to the series. We wouldn't be surprised if Fallout 5 would take us into what's left of Texas or Louisiana.