Why are Fallout's computers so backwards?
The games are set in the future right? Circa 2077. But the terminals look like the computers back in the 1950's. When we actually had to type commands to get things done. Why is this? Im assuming it has something to do with the atom?
Best Answer
Out of universe, Fallout is a "retrofuturistic" setting: the setting is based on the future as imagined at some point in the past (in this case the 1950s). The computers are just a small part of that.
Other common uses of this device include steampunk, so this 1950s future is sometimes referred to as "atompunk".
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Does the Internet exist in the Fallout universe?
The only example of the Internet I can find is a terminal entry in Fallout 76 with MODUS. In the entry, MODUS communicates with the Raven Rock ZAX Supercomputer who requests data on the previous Presidents of the United States.Why is Fallout retro futuristic?
The satire of the 2070s in Fallout 4 inspired by the 1950s seems to be that of an alternate history completely. A divergence if you will. The art deco stylings of interior decorating to the retro-futuristic technology of robot butlers is reminiscent and likely inspired by those that had their ideas of a future.Was the transistor invented in Fallout?
In 2016, in a Ubisoft livestream's closing Q&A, developer Joel Burgess mentioned transistors in terms of advanced technology, in that the Fallout world reached milestones of advancement without inventing the transistor, which shines light on culture priorities.What is FALLOUT ABOUT? An Introduction For New Players (NO SPOILERS)
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Answer 2
Possible speculation: higher-yield powerplants in vehicles and in the power grid from extreme nuclear utilization reduced the impetus for miniaturization that led to the computer age. If you look at very old electronics, vacuum tubes and all, and look at new electronics, you notice something very interesting. In general, older electronics use a lot more input power for the same output, and they are usually considerably heavier.
Weight is an issue mainly when you transport things - in gasoline powered cars, extra weight reduces fuel economy. If you're driving a nuclear-powered car however, the economy loss for heavy equipment is probably minimal.
As said, older systems tended to use more power. Again, not a problem if you're putting nuclear reactors everywhere. You can see this especially in older televisions and radios. No incentive to economize.
Lastly, one possibility is electromagnetic interference. See, when a small reactor goes boom, just like when any nuclear bomb goes off, there's significant EMP output, that can damage electrical equipment for miles around. Some older, tube-type (or "analog") equipment was more resistant to EMP spikes than modern, solid-state equipment. Since nuclear power was apparently in every household, maybe that was a concern? I know high-altitude EMP tests (Operation Fishbowl, of which Starfish Prime was the largest) concluded that a high altitude explosion of relatively small bombs could EMP thousands of miles of surface area.
Just some thoughts. The possibility we're overthinking it a bit exists. But I think some of these idea hold a teensy bit of water
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