Fallout 76 was recently announced at E3 in June 2018. Developer and Publisher Bethesda stated that the game would be a prequel to the other installments in the Fallout series. Fallout 76 takes place in 2102, twenty-five years after the Great War.
Fallout 76's name can be confusing to those unfamiliar with the series. The number refers to the vault the protagonist of the game would reside in, at least at the beginning of the game. Though we know little of the main story, we know that this is only a small piece of the entire franchise. Though some were disappointed it would be a multiplayer game, it only increased the interest in the franchise for many.
The Fallout series has primarily relied on role-playing. The developers who have worked on the series over time wanted gamers to experience what it's like to have to rebuild after a devastating war. As the series progresses, players have learned how quickly survivors on the West Coast rose up, formed factions, and rebuilt cities. After Bethesda took control of the IP, longtime fans of the series got a glimpse into how the settlers of the East Coast didn't have it so easy.
Several major events occurred between the start of Fallout 76 and the most recent numbered sequel in the series, Fallout 4. Our list compiles some of the significant events that took place, from the Vault Dweller from Vault 13 to the rise of the Institute in the Commonwealth. If you're ready to dive in be aware that there are major spoilers for the entire franchise within our list.
25 A Mutant Is Born
Richard Moreau was formerly a doctor in Vault 8. He was exiled from the Vault because of a heinous crime, where he managed to meet with a few other wanderers.
In 2102, the groups' travels took them to the Mariposa Base, where they discovered the government was producing the Forced Evolutionary Virus.
He was accidentally submerged into a vat of the virus, mutating him into a horrible creature. This also changed his way of thinking. As a stronger being, now known as the Master, he wanted other humans to turn into Super Mutants as well.
24 Scientific Minds Banded Together
The Commonwealth Institute of Technology (CIT) was known as a hub for scholars and intelligent minds. After the Great War, they banded together and worked on new technology. Their hard work eventually led to the development of the Institute in 2110. Though their base is no longer at CIT, accessible only through teleportation, they have managed to discover scientific breakthroughs that pre-war America dreamt about. Unfortunately, the Institute was solely focused on bringing their vision of the future of humanity to life. They didn't care about who got hurt or worse in the process.
23 War Over Basic Necessities
After the Great War, necessities were used to bring in a profit. Their greed became more important than helping others. In 2126, merchants took over The Hub's water tower. Anyone that wanted water had to pay a large fee. This was the beginning of the Great Merchant Wars in 2126 to 2128. Now called the Water Merchants, they fought anyone who dared take the tower from them. Other merchants banded together to take them down. Finally, Roy Green helped everyone agree. A maximum price was put on water to make it fair for both sellers and buyers.
22 A New Army Is Formed
The Master, formerly known as Richard Moreau, is pleased with the results of his Super Mutant experiments. In 2137, he decides to increase production. On average, one of five is admitted into his group, the Unity.
The Unity is composed of the Master's idea of a "perfect" race.
He tricked other humans into joining by building churches and hospitals on the West Coast, to lure in others interested in his cause. From there, the humans were forced to undergo mutations with the FEV.
21 Vault Dweller’s Journey Begins
Fallout 1 begins in the year 2161. The Vault Dweller is assigned to leave the vault and search for a water chip. The Vault Dweller's journey would take them around the West Coast, where Super Mutants are terrorizing innocent people. The Vault Dweller had to defend themselves, along with helping others. They would discover a small town called Shady Sands that would one day have a higher purpose. One year later, the Vault Dweller would defeat The Master and retrieve the water chip. After returning to Vault 13, the Vault Dweller is told to leave and never return.
20 A Thriving New Settlement Is Created
Shady Sands was formerly a small settlement but managed to be self-sufficient. They had fertile land, a well, and Brahmin herds for protein. The Vault Dweller previously helped them get rid of their Radscorpion problem and rescue Tandi from the Khans, a group of Raiders. After the Vault Dweller left, the residents were inspired to grow. Shady Sands soon became New California Republic (NCR) in 2186. Over time, the NCR would become the largest, thriving settlement within the state of New California.
19 Brothers Escape The Institute
The Institute is home to several scientific breakthroughs. In their early years, they were focused on making perfect humans with the use of technology.
Nick Valentine and DiMA were two Synth prototypes that were used to test independent thought.
Though Nick believed he was the person the Institute programmed him to be, DiMA knew something wasn't right. He couldn't bear to see himself nor his brother be used as experiments any longer. In 2187, he decided to escape with his brother. While DiMA went on to form Acadia on Far Harbor, Nick was left behind to survive alone.
18 The Sole Survivor Temporarily Awakens
Fallout 4's prologue gives gamers insight into their life before the war and two centuries afterward. In 2227, we witness two of the Institute's scientists, and Conrad Kellogg enters Vault 111. They temporarily awaken the Sole Survivor, their spouse, and baby Shaun. Their spouse fights to hold onto their baby, but Kellogg ends their struggle early. The scientist takes Shaun, leaving the Sole Survivor helpless. After a few parting words from the kidnappers, the Sole Survivor is placed back in cryogenic slumber.
17 Another Wave Of Mutants
After the Vault Dweller stopped the Master in Fallout 1, the West Coast hoped that Super Mutants would become a distant, terrible memory of the past. The Enclave is working hard on reviving military technology to become stronger. They stumble upon the remains of the Mariposa Military Base. In 2237, the Enclave manages to obtain data from the FEV that creates Super Mutants. They begin work on building the second wave of Super Mutants. The Enclave decides to move on, leaving some soldiers to take out the mutants. The Super Mutants prove to be too strong and take over the base.
16 The Enclave’s First Threat
Arroyo was a settlement founded by the Vault Dweller. It managed to survive well on the West Coast for years until a severe drought put their settlement in jeopardy.
In 2241, the Chosen One is sent out to recover the Garden of Eden Creation Kit (G.E.C.K.) that would save their settlement.
The Chosen One's journey would take them throughout the West Coast, where they would encounter the Enclave. The Chosen One manages to save both the people of Arroyo and the remnants of Vault 13. Together, they form the city of new Arroyo.
15 Is it A Human Or A Robot?
Although Nick Valentine and DiMA escaped from the Institute, the faction was still hard at work perfecting their Synths. In 2242, the Institute began creating Synths that had the appearance of people. They sent out two of their prototype Generation 3 Synths, Armitage and Harness, into the Capital Wasteland. The Institute was interested in how they would react to being on the surface instead of inside a lab. While Armitage works as the bodyguard for Dr. Zimmer, Harkness has forgotten his Synth background.
14 The Legion Begins Its Reign
In 2246, a young man named Edward Sallow embarked on a journey through Arizona to learn more about its residents. Instead of helping them, he was disgusted with their way of living. During the same mission, the team uncovered a cache of history books about Ancient Rome. Inspired by what he read, Sallow decided to take up the name Caesar and form a legion of like-minded individuals. He began his plans to conquer the tribes he previously encountered, along with portions of Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
13 A New Faction Moves To The East Coast
The Brotherhood of Steel first began on the West Coast. They wanted to find more technology that may have been abandoned in America after the war. The group sent out Owyn Lyons and a small group west.
In 2255, Lyons and the Brotherhood arrived in the Capital Wasteland.
They were impressed by the remnants of the capital. The group decided to move into the ruins of the Pentagon and rename it as the Citadel. They planned to stay and learn as much about the area as possible.
12 The Birth Of A Wanderer
Fallout 3 begins on July 13, 2258 with the birth of the Lone Wanderer. It appears to be a happy moment at first. Unfortunately, the delivery is too much on Catherine. She passes away during childbirth, leaving her husband, James, devastated. James decides that the best course of action is to make sure their child is safe. Accompanied by Star Paladin Cross, James and his newborn travel through Megaton and to Vault 101. The Overseer accepts James as their doctor.
11 Rivet City’s New Scientist
After the loss of Catherine, James abandoned Project Purity. The project would have purified the water within the Capital Wasteland. Madison Li no longer had a project to work on, plus her two friends were gone. She decides to move to Rivet City and help out in their Science Lab. Her work is so well-received that she takes over the lab, leaving its previous leader, Pinkerton, lost. He decides to take up residence in the ship's broken bow and work on his projects alone.
10 The NCR Rises In Power
The small settlement of Shady Sands transformed into the NCR. The NCR grew to become one of the largest groups in new California. In 2271, their group moves into New Vegas. Impressed by the city, they head back home and tell residents about what they saw. Tourists began to flood the region, making New Vegas even richer and forming The Strip.
The NCR's power was only increasing on the West Coast.
Though Caesar's Legion was busy going to war, the NCR was making a deal with residents. It was just the beginning of the battle between the two factions.
9 Clean Water For All
James, Catherine, and Madison Li worked hard to bring Project Purity to life. They couldn't complete the project without the help of James' child, the Lone Wanderer, in 2277. Although the Wanderer initially left Vault 101 to find their father, it led them on a much more important journey. At the end of the game, Madison was the only scientist left to help. With the help of the Brotherhood of Steel, they activated Project Purity, bringing clean water into the Capital Wasteland. After two centuries, settlers no longer had to worry about finding clean water.
8 Not This Time, Aliens
Aliens have been part of the Fallout series since the first game. In 2277, the aliens became more aggressive in their attempts to take over Earth. The Lone Wanderer is abducted and transported onto an alien mothership called Zeta. Not wanting to be part of their experiment or watch Earth be destroyed, the Lone Wanderer takes action. Along with other abducted humans, they take down the aliens on-board the ship and stop any further destruction from happening. The Lone Wanderer is successful, but only against the Zeta mothership. The aliens didn't plan to stop their plans to take over Earth yet.
7 A New State On A Mountain
After Super Mutants were born in America, no faction has been victorious in completely removing them. Not all Super Mutants were interested in destroying humans. Tabitha, one of the last surviving Nightkin from The Master's army, found other wandering Super Mutants.
Tabitha decided to found the State of Utobitha in Black Mountain in 2278.
The settlement would become a haven for Nightkin, Super Mutants, and Centaurs. During this time, they have also captured a Ghoul named Raul, who is forced make repairs around the settlement.
6 A Courier’s Property Is Stolen
When the Courier accepted a job in 2281, they didn't expect it to change their lives and the Mojave Desert. The Courier is on their way to deliver a Platinum Chip when they are ambushed. Benny, head of the Chairmans, attacks the Courier. They are left in the Goodneighbor Cemetery until a Securitron finds them. The Courier is taken into Goodsprings and is healed by Doc Mitchell. After making a full recovery, the Courier travels to The Strip to retrieve their stolen property.