According to Windows Central, Bethesda Game Studios executive producer Todd Howard confirmed in an interview with the BBC that the Fallout TV series is officially canon. Howard stated that “Fallout 5 will be existing in a world where the stories and events of the show happened or are happening,” and that the development team is “taking that into account.” The show’s second season recently premiered and is available exclusively on Prime Video. The studio’s current focus, however, is split between supporting Starfield, updating Fallout 76, and developing The Elder Scrolls 6, which is its next major project. This timeline means Fallout 5 itself remains a distant prospect, not expected for many years.
So, what does “canon” actually mean?
This is a pretty big deal for the lore-obsessed wastelanders out there. The show isn’t just a side story; it’s now a key chapter in the official history. Think about it: locations like Vault 33 and 32, characters like Lucy and The Ghoul, and major events from the series are now part of the bedrock future games will build on. It’s a smart move, honestly. It gives the TV writers creative freedom to tell a new story without being shackled to existing game plots, while simultaneously making the show essential viewing for hardcore fans. It elevates the entire franchise into a more cohesive, multi-platform universe. Basically, you can’t fully understand the world of Fallout 5 without having watched the show.
The elephant in the vault
Here’s the thing, though. Howard’s confirmation is exciting, but it’s also a reminder of the agonizing wait ahead. Bethesda’s development cycle is famously long, and they’ve been crystal clear about their priorities. The largest team is on The Elder Scrolls 6, which itself is still years from release. Only after that wraps up will the full might of the studio presumably pivot to Fallout 5. We’re talking about a game that likely won’t see the light of day until the 2030s. So, while it’s cool to know the show matters, we’re getting a lore update for a game that’s over a horizon we can’t even see yet.
A new kind of business model
This move isn’t just about storytelling—it’s a brilliant bit of business strategy. By making the TV series canon, Amazon and Bethesda have created a perpetual hype machine. Every season of the show will directly feed interest in the games, and vice-versa. It keeps the franchise alive and relevant in the long, dormant years between major game releases. Think of it as narrative maintenance. Instead of the franchise going cold for a decade, the TV series acts as a live-service model for the lore itself, drip-feeding new canon and keeping the community engaged. The beneficiaries? Everyone invested in the IP’s long-term value, from Microsoft (which owns Bethesda) to Amazon, to the fans who get more consistent content.
Patience is a virtue, apparently
So what’s the takeaway? The Fallout universe is expanding in a legitimately cool way, with TV and games weaving together. Todd Howard has put a stake in the ground about the future. But for players eager to step into a new single-player wasteland? You’d better get comfortable. The timeline here is measured in geological eras, not years. In the meantime, I guess we’ll just have to re-watch the show, replay the old games, and keep staring at that Elder Scrolls 6 teaser from 2018. The future is coming, but it’s going to take a while.
