The original Fallout's lead developer reveals that China initiated the nuclear war, explains vault suit design, and shares the Calvin and Hobbes influence behind Sugar Bombs
Tim Cain clarifies pivotal lore details about Fallout’s origins in a recent video, discussing the real initiator of the nuclear war and the conceptual design of vault suits.
In his latest YouTube video titled “Non-expository Fallout lore,” Tim Cain, the lead developer of the original Fallout, has shared new insights into the game’s backstory. Cain explains that the nuclear war was triggered by China, a detail that adds depth to the game’s setting. Despite not being formally documented in the game, it’s suggested that the U.S. was conducting unauthorized bio-weapons research, which led to tensions and ultimately war.
Cain humorously points out, “Nobody should be walking around the Wasteland going, ‘Hey did you know they dropped nukes eighty years ago?’ Yes! Everybody knows that!”
He elaborates further on the concept of vault suits, clarifying that these were envisioned to be ’extruded’ from machines within the vaults, rather than being pre-manufactured. This idea is due to the impracticalities of storing enough suits for the generations of inhabitants in a sealed environment. Moreover, the beloved Sugar Bombs cereal was inspired by his passion for Calvin and Hobbes, showcasing how personal interests have seeped into the game’s culture.
Overall, the video indicates Cain’s ongoing engagement with the Fallout lore and his desire to share the intricate details often overlooked in the gameplay.
