Summary
- Fallout 3 foreshadows the existence of Vault 76, the Vault seen in Fallout 76.
- Bethesda's lore references in Fallout games hint at future storylines, as seen with Fallout 4's Institute.
- Players discover hidden details in Fallout 3 even 16 years after release, sparking curiosity about future Fallout game hints.
A Fallout 3 player online has noticed an interesting piece of foreshadowing relating directly to Fallout 76. It’s cool to see that players still have some things to discover about Fallout 3, 16 years after its initial release.
When it was released back in 2008, Fallout 3 received a ton of praise for its attention to detail. In fact, it’s a praise that has been levied at plenty of Bethesda titles in the years since. The game was Bethesda’s first effort into the post-apocalyptic franchise, and there are plenty of things players missed in Fallout 3 thanks to the sheer level of detail included in the game. With the game now 16 years old, it’s fascinating that players are still discovering new things about Fallout 3, even if this particular detail was retroactively made relevant by the mere existence of Fallout 76.
Redditor BoyDynamo shared their discovery online, which is found on a terminal in Fallout 3. When scouring the terminal for a list of "DC Area Vault Listings," Vault 76 appears. There's even a full entry on the terminal, mentioning the goal of this Fallout Vault is to reopen to the world after 20 years, just as it does in Fallout 76. While it's almost certainly not the case that Bethesda planned the existence of the game as far back as 2008, it is cool to see that the studio pulled from existing lore when it came to deciding the Vault to be featured in Fallout 76.
Fallout 76 Foreshadowing Found in Fallout 3
Other gamers in the thread pointed out that Fallout 3 features plenty of foreshadowing that can be seen in later games in the series. Fallout 4's Institute storyline is heavily alluded to in the quest, "The Replicated Man," showing that some of these Bethesda references are thought through years in advance. The discovery of these kinds of things leads many to wonder about the kind of foreshadowing details that currently exist for Fallout 5 that are currently unknown.
Bethesda remains quiet on the future of the Fallout franchise. The studio is currently in the middle of development of The Elder Scrolls 6, which certainly doesn't seem set to release any time soon. It will be interesting to see what the solution is for Bethesda, as it certainly won't hand out the IP to a third-party developer lightly. It was recently revealed that Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian was interested in making a Fallout game, and while it's unlikely at this point, revisiting this idea would certainly be the dream scenario for many.
- Released
- October 28, 2008
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Engine
- Gamebryo
- Franchise
- Fallout
WHERE TO PLAY
Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world — radiation, Super Mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. From Vault-Tec, America's First Choice in Post Nuclear Simulation.
Limitless Freedom! Take in the sights and sounds of the vast Capital Wasteland! See the great monuments of the United States lying in post-apocalyptic ruin! You make the choices that define you and change the world. Just keep an eye on your Rad Meter!
