Bethesda Aims to Expand Fallout Lore Respectfully, Says Longtime Writer

As Fallout continues to grow beyond its gaming roots like a radioactive mushroom cloud, lead writer Emil Pagliarulo emphasizes the team’s strong commitment to preserving existing lore. He views maintaining the integrity of the Fallout universe as one of the “biggest honors” of his position.

“In Fallout, all of the lore matters, and if you think it doesn’t, the internet will remind you that it does,” Pagliarulo shared in an interview. “It’s crucial for Fallout fans; whether something is set pre-war or post-war, it all holds significance. And it’s a huge responsibility.”

Pagliarulo has been carrying that weight for years, having worked as a quest designer on Fallout 3 and as the lead writer for Fallout 4 and Fallout Shelter, while also contributing to titles like Skyrim and Starfield in between his post-apocalyptic narratives.

“I actually consider that one of the biggest honors and responsibilities of my job, keeping the lore cohesive and intact,” he added. “Retconning is generally a negative approach—you don’t want to alter what has already been established. We aim to expand on the existing fiction without contradicting what came before, and that can be quite challenging.”

The live-action adaptation of the beloved sci-fi franchise hasn’t made any significant retcons, but it did recently establish one ending from Fallout: New Vegas as canon for the show. Co-showrunner Geneva Robertson-Dworet clarified that the series didn’t intend to promote one ending as the definitive conclusion, however.