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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Video Game

Fallout 4

Fallout 4 is a 2015 post-apocalyptic action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Fallout 4 is a 2015 post-apocalyptic action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the fourth main game in the Fallout series and is set in a fictional open world based on Boston and the surrounding Massachusetts region, known in-game as the Commonwealth. The main story takes place in the year 2287, after a nuclear war called the Great War.

Gameplay

Fallout 4 is an action role-playing game with open-world exploration set in a post-apocalyptic environment. Sources describe it as allowing first- and third-person play, along with crafting and base-building features.

Setting and story

The game takes place in 2287, ten years after Fallout 3 and 210 years after the Great War. Its world centres on Boston, Massachusetts and the surrounding Commonwealth, with the story following a Vault 111 survivor searching for their missing child.

Development and release

Bethesda Game Studios developed Fallout 4 and Bethesda Softworks published it. It launched on November 10, 2015 for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with a Japanese release on December 17, 2015.

Later releases

The game was later released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on April 25, 2024. Some sources also note a virtual reality version on Windows with HTC Vive, released in 2017.

Key facts

  • Fallout 4 is the fifth major installment in the Fallout series and the eighth overall installment.
  • It was released worldwide on November 10, 2015 for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
  • The game is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Boston and nearby Massachusetts, called the Commonwealth.
  • The player character begins as a survivor from Vault 111 searching for a missing child.
  • Later releases brought the game to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on April 25, 2024.
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Canadian context

Fallout 4 is widely available in Canada on major console and PC platforms, and it is part of a globally recognised series with a substantial Canadian player base.

Frequently asked questions

What is Fallout 4?
It is a post-apocalyptic action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks.
When was Fallout 4 released?
It was released worldwide on November 10, 2015.
Where is Fallout 4 set?
The game is set in a fictional version of Boston, Massachusetts, and the surrounding region known as the Commonwealth.
What year does Fallout 4 take place in?
The main story takes place in 2287.
Which platforms is Fallout 4 on?
It was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions released in 2024.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallout_4
    Supports: Core release date, developer, publisher, setting, in-universe year, and 2024 platform re-releases.
  2. Fallout Wiki — https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Fallout_4
    Supports: Series placement, release date, and the VR version note.
  3. IGN — https://www.ign.com/wikis/fallout-4/Fallout_4_Guide
    Supports: Release date, platforms, and Vault 111 premise.