Hello Everyone --

I'm new to the Fallout Forums here, but not to the series. I've been playing the Fallout games since they came out...

As I'm working my way through Fallout 3, I had an interesting thought. The Fallout series has a deep history. As I saw the various newspaper clippings in various loading screens, I thought to myself "Wow, this would make a great story!" I think the story of Fallout's past - leading up to and through the wars, would make a great read for those so inclined...

So, I was wondering if there is perhaps an officially "sanctioned" novel set in the FOU out there? If not, is there perhaps one in the works? I've searched on Amazon and on the net but haven't been able to find much.

Does anyone have any info?

Thanks!

Never heard of anything like this, and I imagine the copyright issues probably kept this from even being attempted the last couple of years. Perhaps with the success of Fallout 3, a novel could be in the works...but I wouldn't hold your breath. A successful game franchise does not always equal a successful novel.

I'd read it, though.

No, there is none.

Well now that things have settled a bit with the Fallout Licensing and Fallout 3 is out, I certainly hope a novel is considered!

This was discussed and commented upon by Chris Taylor (one of the original FO designers) over at the new Interplay forums:

http://www.interplay.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=330

Seems like Bethesda gets to call the shots on this and I really hope that they go down this path.

I guess we'll just have to enjoy each other's writing.

I just had another thought on this subject I thought I would ask. I have read through the FOU timeline on the Fallout Wiki. But I have found parts of that hard to read and follow...

So, I was wondering if there was a "novelized" version of the timeline on the web somewhere? Perhaps someone wrote a short story of the history of the FOU?

Not that I know of.

But it sounds like an interesting writing challenge.

Watch this space.

Well there haven't been any Elder Scrolls novels, which would seem to make a Fallout novel unlikely. However times change, maybe one day Bethesda will consider books for either (or both) series.

In TES's case many fans have lobbied for Tedders to write an Elder Scrolls novel. He's a former employee who continues to do freelance writing for Bethesda (much of the pocket guide that came with the Oblivion CE is his work). Given that the Fallout license has changed hands this would be trickier, but I think they could still pull it off.

I'm still waiting for an MK-written Cyrus the Restless novel......

No thank you.

I love the Fallout universe and if a novel did come out, I'd probably buy it in a heartbeat. I just hope that if ever, they'd get a good author to write it. Most books based on games that I've read are so light, it's as if they were written for kids (or at least gamers who don't really like reading).

Hi FoF,
I had much the same idea as I've watched my character begin life "outside", and I've thought about writing the story as it goes. I am not aware of any novels specific to the FOU, but there are literally dozens of "post-apocalypse" genre novels available. Some are good, most are bad, but all are worth reading to "feed the muse" between gaming sessions. I'm currently working my way through several books, and series of books. You can find a pretty good list at http://www.empty-world.com.

Here are some of the more popular ones:

"The Stand" by Stephen King
"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy
"A Canticle for Leibowitz" by Walter M. Miller
"Oryx and Crake" by Margaret Atwood
The "Survivalist" Series by Jerry Ahern
The "Novels of the Change" Series by S.M. Stirling
"Alas Babylon" by Pat Frank
"The Postman" by David Brin
The "Deathlands" and "Outlanders" Series by James Axler (pseudonym of several authors)

And dozens of others.

I'd like to add a couple more novels to that last list

Amtrak Wars - Patrick Tilley (Written in the 80's, always wondered if the bad guys in these books inspired the original fallout designers when they created the Enclave)
On the Beach - Nevil Shute
Survivors - Terry Nation
A Boy and His Dog (Harlan Ellison)
The Death of Grass (John Christopher)

They have Halo Novels (Not very good), so if they did make a Fallout Novel(s), I suppose it could work. I still would'nt "hold my breath", as Dilettante said.

Thanks All, for your thoughts. I have read several of the books you mentioned and others look interesting.

I'll still hold out hope that someone will write a novel or Fan Fiction type story of FOU leading up to what we see in the games. I wish I could do it myself but I am by no means versed in the FOU enough to know :vaultboy: