Fallout 5 outside the US could be amazing former Skyrim lead
As anticipation builds for the next installment of the Fallout series, the conversation quickly shifts from when it will arrive to where it might arrive. While the official setting remains firmly rooted in American landscapes, some former developers are dreaming of a world where the post-apocalyptic ruins stretch across international horizons.
One such visionary is Bruce Nesmith, a designer with deep experience shaping the world of Fallout 3 and 4, and key design roles in titles like Skyrim. Nesmith suggests that the franchise holds enormous potential to be fully international, arguing that the setting should reflect a distinctive style, rather than being confined solely to Americana.
He points to existing locations that already possess compelling visual and cultural depth, noting cities like Las Vegas, Washington D.C., and Boston as perfect canvases for a post-nuclear transformation. For Nesmith, these locales are already rich with inherent style, making them ideal foundations for a post-apocalyptic setting.
The possibility extends beyond familiar borders. London and Paris, for instance, were mentioned as dazzling candidates, offering sprawling metropolises ripe for turning into desolate wastelands. However, Nesmith suggests that while these cities are enticing, they might be too straightforward for the complexity of the Fallout universe.
Instead, he looks toward more evocative, fascinating locales, including the Scottish Highlands, Ireland, or parts of Australia. These regions offer a unique cultural counterpoint to the American roots of the franchise, allowing for truly unique and compelling narratives.
Imagining the cultural clash—a post-nuclear Glasgow where a local insists they are from some distant American state, or a post-apocalyptic city where local traditions have absorbed American influence—highlights the limitless creative scope available to the developers.
While Todd Howard has made it clear that the series is unlikely to venture far outside North America, the desire for such global exploration persists. Ultimately, the enduring appeal of Fallout lies not just in the setting, but in the limitless possibilities of a world built on the ashes of the old, regardless of which geography provides the backdrop.
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