ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the origins of the Fallout world, focusing primarily on the first two games in the series, Fallout 1 and Fallout 2. This chapter first discusses some of the media influences that inspired the design of the Fallout world, arguing that tabletop role-playing games played a particularly important role in the creation of the franchise. This chapter then examines the map and timeline of Fallout 1, as much of the series’ commentary on American expansionism begins in the first game. From there this chapter analyzes similar elements in Fallout 2, discussing the ways in which the second game builds on the political commentary established in the first game. Overall, this chapter suggests that the tabletop game influences and political commentary developed in the first two games has a significant impact on the direction of the Fallout franchise as a whole.
