Fallout 5 Official Setting Confirmed As Game Edges Closer

Published Sep 16, 2026, 6:51 AM EDT

Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there.

Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers.

There are a few games that, despite being highly anticipated, feel as though they may never be released. This includes the likes of Mass Effect 5, The Elder Scrolls VI, and in this instance, Fallout 5.

First mentioned by Bethesda way back in 2018, before being revealed to be the studio's next major project after the launch of The Elder Scrolls VI, it was only in July of this year that it was finally confirmed that Fallout 5 had entered its pre-production phase.

It Has Been Over Ten Years

With it having been over a decade since the last mainline Fallout entry, Fallout 4, and eight years since the launch of Fallout 76, it is safe to say that fans are due for the next entry in the beloved post-apocalyptic RPG franchise. Not only that, but following the recent success of Prime Video's Fallout, now would be the perfect time to release a brand-new game, especially with a whole new fanbase now onboard.

However, with The Elder Scrolls VI needing to launch first, and Fallout 5 only just entering pre-production, it will be many years until we finally dive into the next iteration. That being said, according to an interview with Todd Howard and other Bethesda employees, the ongoing Fallout show could help shed some light on what we can expect from Fallout 5.

In an interview with the BBC back in December 2025, Howard spoke about the arrival of season two of Fallout, and what the future of the series could mean for the accompanying game series. When asked if the television show would have an impact on the games going forward, Howard said: "In short, yes."

"Fallout 5 will be existing in a world where the stories and events of the show happened or are happening. We are taking that into account."

What Does This Mean For Fallout 5?

When it comes to vague answers and limited responses, we can always count on Todd Howard, and whilst his response did not reveal anything about Fallout 5, it did confirm to us that the show is canon. According to Bethesda veteran, Emil Pagliarulo, "everything that happens in the show happened in the games, or will happen in the games."

So how does this help shine a light on Fallout 5? Well, as mentioned, the launch of Fallout 5 will be many years away, but, we can expect there to have been plenty of seasons of Fallout by then. So, if the television show is canon, anything that happens that has not yet been seen in the video games, could mean that it will take place in Fallout 5. This could apply to characters, locations, plot points, and more.

With the third season of Fallout already confirmed, eagle-eyed fans will be able to determine which moments we have seen, and which could be used in the upcoming Bethesda title. However, when that may be, is a different story entirely.

• 

  Lucy MacLean

• 

  Aaron Moten

  Maximus