Yes, the Fallout TV series is officially canon and takes place in the same universe as the Bethesda games. The show is set in 2296, approximately nine years after the events of Fallout 4. Everything that happens in the series—the revelations about Vault-Tec, the destruction of Shady Sands, the characters' stories—is part of the official Fallout timeline.
This isn't a reboot or alternate universe. It's the real Fallout.
Bethesda's Official Confirmation
Bethesda Game Studios worked directly with Amazon and showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy to ensure the series fits within established lore:
- Todd Howard served as executive producer
- Bethesda provided lore documents and feedback
- Writers consulted game designers on canon details
Official Statement: Bethesda confirmed that the show's events are canon and will be referenced in future games.
The Care Taken: Every visual detail, from Nuka-Cola labels to Brotherhood insignias, was verified for accuracy. This wasn't a cash-in—it was a genuine expansion of the universe.
Where It Fits in the Timeline
The Show's Date: 2296
- Fallout 1: 2161 (135 years before the show)
- Fallout 2: 2241 (55 years before)
- Fallout 3: 2277 (19 years before)
- Fallout New Vegas: 2281 (15 years before)
- Fallout 4: 2287 (9 years before)
- Fallout 76: 2102 (194 years before, though it continues in real-time)
Geographic Placement: The show takes place in Los Angeles and the California wasteland—returning to the West Coast setting of Fallout 1 and 2.
New Canon Information from the Show
The show added significant new lore:
Vault-Tec Started the War: The series confirmed that Vault-Tec deliberately triggered the Great War to ensure their post-apocalyptic plans proceeded.
Shady Sands Destroyed: The NCR capital was nuked, explaining the faction's diminished state by 2296.
Vault 31's Purpose: Cryogenically preserved Vault-Tec executives awaited to rule the post-war world.
Cooper Howard's Connection: The Ghoul was married to a Vault-Tec executive, tying pre-war events to the present.
What This Means for Future Games
The show's canon status has implications:
- Vault-Tec's role as war-starters is now official
- West Coast lore will reflect the show's events
- Characters from the show could appear in games
- The show's destruction of Shady Sands raised concerns
- Timeline clarifications confirmed it happened after New Vegas
- Season 2 heading to New Vegas will add more canon
The Bottom Line: If it happened in the show, it happened in Fallout. The games and series are one continuous story.