History of Fallout 4 in Timeline

Fallout 4 is a 2015 action role-playing game by Bethesda Game Studios. Set in post-apocalyptic Boston and the surrounding Commonwealth, it's the fourth main installment in the Fallout series. Initially released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One on November 10, 2015, it later received versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on April 25, 2024. The game features an open world environment where players explore, complete quests, and engage in combat.

1961: Commercial Featuring "The Wanderer"

In 1961, the song "The Wanderer" sung by Dion DiMucci was released. It was later featured in commercials for Fallout 4, leading to a lawsuit over the use of the song in a violent setting.

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2009: Initial Plans for Fallout 4

In 2009, initial plans for Fallout 4 were formed when director Todd Howard wanted to explore the world of Fallout before the bombs fell, and a team began production that year.

2011: Skyrim's Release

In 2011, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was released, shifting Bethesda's full attention to that game, and regular support was provided until 2013 with updates and DLC.

2013: Fallout 4 Enters Full Production

In mid-2013, after finishing support for Skyrim, Fallout 4 entered full production, continuing until mid-2015.

June 2, 2015: Bethesda Countdown Timer

On June 2, 2015, Bethesda published a countdown timer scheduled to expire on June 3, 2015, at 14:00 UTC, hinting at an upcoming announcement.

June 3, 2015: Fallout 4 Reveal

On June 3, 2015, Bethesda's game website went live, revealing Fallout 4 along with its box art and platforms. The trailer was also released, confirming the game's setting in Boston and its surrounding Massachusetts countryside.

June 14, 2015: E3 2015 Press Conference

On June 14, 2015, Bethesda provided more details about Fallout 4 during their E3 2015 press conference, further elaborating on the game's features and world.

October 23, 2015: Fallout 4 Goes Gold

On October 23, 2015, Bethesda announced that Fallout 4 had gone gold, indicating that the game was ready for release.

November 10, 2015: Fallout 4 Worldwide Release

On November 10, 2015, Fallout 4 was released worldwide for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, marking the fourth main installment in the Fallout series.

2015: Best Games of 2015

In 2015, Fallout 4 was placed on various lists of the best games of the year, earning the "Role-Playing Game of the Year" award from the Game Critics Awards and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.

2015: Creation Engine Update

In 2015, Fallout 4's Creation Engine was updated with features like dynamic lighting, next-generation god rays, volumetric lighting, and advanced visual effects, enhancing the game's graphics.

2015: Fallout 4 Production Ends

In mid-2015, Fallout 4's full production concluded, marking the end of a two-year intensive development period.

February 16, 2016: Add-on Details Announced

On February 16, 2016, Bethesda announced details, prices, and release dates for the first three add-ons for Fallout 4: Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, and Far Harbor.

March 22, 2016: Automatron Release

On March 22, 2016, Automatron, the first add-on for Fallout 4, was released in European and North American markets, allowing players to build custom robot companions and adding additional quests.

April 12, 2016: Wasteland Workshop Release

On April 12, 2016, the Wasteland Workshop add-on was released, introducing new build options for settlements, the ability to capture creatures and humans, and new decorations like neon lights and lettering.

May 2016: PC Mods Release for Xbox One

In May 2016, mods created by PC players through The Creation Kit were released for the Xbox One version of Fallout 4, expanding the game's customization options.

May 19, 2016: Far Harbor Release

On May 19, 2016, Far Harbor, a story expansion set in the post-war city of Far Harbor, Maine, was released as the third add-on for Fallout 4.

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June 12, 2016: New Add-on Packages Revealed at E3 2016

On June 12, 2016, at E3 2016, Bethesda revealed three new add-on packages for Fallout 4: Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, and Nuka-World.

June 21, 2016: Contraptions Workshop Release

On June 21, 2016, Contraptions Workshop, an add-on package for Fallout 4, was released, offering the player more build options and decorations.

July 26, 2016: Vault-Tec Workshop Release

On July 26, 2016, Vault-Tec Workshop, an add-on package for Fallout 4, was released, offering the player more build options and decorations, also adding a brief narrative.

August 30, 2016: Nuka-World Release

On August 30, 2016, Nuka-World, an add-on package for Fallout 4, was released, adding an amusement park-based area for the player to explore, where the player can either side with or put an end to raider groups residing in the park.

November 2016: PC Mods Release for PlayStation 4

In November 2016, mods created by PC players through The Creation Kit were released for the PlayStation 4 version of Fallout 4, bringing player-created content to the console.

2016: Virtual Reality Mode Announcement

During E3 2016, a virtual reality mode for Fallout 4 was announced, with plans for release in 2017, generating excitement for a new way to experience the game.

February 2017: Sales Exceed Skyrim's Over Same Period

In February 2017, Pete Hines announced that Fallout 4 had sold more units over the same period than Skyrim, though he did not provide an official number.

August 2017: Creation Club Launch

In August 2017, Creation Club went live for Fallout 4, providing an in-game support system to purchase and download custom content.

December 4, 2017: Fallout 4 VR Release

On December 4, 2017, Fallout 4 VR was released as a stand-alone game for PC on the HTC Vive platform, bringing a virtual reality experience to the Fallout universe.

2017: Introduction of Creation Club

In 2017, the Creation Club was introduced, which later led to a class-action lawsuit in 2019, where it was claimed that those that purchased the Season Pass have to purchase the Creation Club content if they wished to use it.

2019: Class-Action Lawsuit Filed

In 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Bethesda Softworks and ZeniMax over Fallout 4's downloadable content (DLC), alleging that the Season Pass did not provide access to all content after the introduction of the Creation Club in 2017.

June 2021: ZeniMax Acquisition Announcement

In June 2021, during the litigation of a lawsuit against ZeniMax and Bethesda, plans for ZeniMax to be acquired into Xbox Game Studios were announced. This acquisition raised concerns among the plaintiffs, who sought to prevent Microsoft from shielding ZeniMax's assets.

December 2022: Performance Update Announcement

In December 2022, a performance update for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Fallout 4 was announced, promising higher frame rates and 4K resolution support when played on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The update was initially planned for release in 2023.

2022: Lawsuit Hearing Expected

In 2022, the lawsuit against Bethesda Softworks and ZeniMax over Fallout 4's downloadable content (DLC) was expected to be heard in court.

2023: Performance Update Delay

In 2023, the planned performance update for Fallout 4, initially announced in December 2022, was delayed, leading to Bethesda reworking it into native versions for newer platforms.

April 25, 2024: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S Release

On April 25, 2024, Fallout 4 was released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, expanding its availability to newer console generations.

October 23, 2025: Anniversary Edition Faced Negative Reviews

On October 23, 2025, the Anniversary Edition of Fallout 4 was faced with mostly negative reviews, with criticism directed at the new Creation Club content being seen as unnecessary and for breaking popular mods.

November 10, 2025: Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition Release

On November 10, 2025, the Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition was released for all platforms. It bundled the base game, all downloadable content, and previously released Creation Club content into a single package.

February 24, 2026: Nintendo Switch 2 Version Release

On February 24, 2026, a version of Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition was released for the Nintendo Switch 2, further expanding its platform availability.

October 23, 2077: Beginning of Fallout 4 Story

On October 23, 2077, the bombs dropped, marking the start of the Great War and the beginning of Fallout 4's story. Unlike previous titles, the game begins on the day of the nuclear holocaust.

2077: Nuclear War Erupts

In 2077, a nuclear war erupted between the United States and China, leading the protagonist and their family to seek refuge in Vault 111, where they were cryogenically frozen. These events set the stage for the Sole Survivor's journey in the Commonwealth.