Summary
For a series that hasn’t had a mainline entry in almost a decade,Fallouthas been seeing a lot of success here in 2024. Between the Amazon Prime streaming series of the same name, aFortnitecrossover, and a majorFallout 76expansion, old and new fans alike are clamoring for moreFalloutcontent. Unfortunately for both them and Bethesda,Fallout 5is still a ways away.
This has led many fans to begin speculating about the nextFallout. One area of discussion revolves around where the game will take place. Going off of hints in the previous game, fans are both hypothesizing thatFallout 5will take place in San Francisco. If this is the case, taking this next entry in the series to the city on the bay could open the door for oneFallout 4faction to make its return.
Reintroducing the Institute in Fallout 5
San Francisco makes sense as a setting for several establishedfactions inFallout. The New California Republic fromFallout: New Vegasis a given, and Silicon Valley would almost certainly garner the attention of the technology-hoarding Brotherhood of Steel. However, Silicon Valley would also make a great home for the antagonisticFallout 4faction, the Institute.
The Institute is a secretive organization of scientists based out of the ruins of the Commonwealth Institute of Technology. The group’s goal was to not only preserve the ideals of pre-war society but to carry on the scientific research of their predecessors as well. This spurred the Institute to develop several pieces of advanced technology, from teleportation devices to their signature synthetic humans — also known assynths in theFalloutgames. However, the Institute’s goal to rebuild society in its own image caused the faction to clash with the outside world. The Institute attempted to exert its will over Boston by both killing those who got in their way and by replacing influential figures with synthetic clones.
How the Institute Could Return in Canon
Though theFalloutTV series implied that the Institute had been destroyed byFallout 4’s protagonist — the Brotherhood of Steel’s Prydwen makes an appearance in the show and could only exist if the player sided against the Institute — there are several reasons for why the group could reappear in San Francisco. In the games' canon, Bethesda could simply choose to ignore the Prydwen’s appearance in the show or just say that the Brotherhood had built a new one.
Bethesda could also go along with the show and confirm that the Institute was bested inFallout 4. After all, many field operatives could have survived, and the player character had the option to evacuate all personnel before destroying the Institute’s base. Regardless of whether the Institute is expanding their operations or relocating after the CIT was blown up, the faction has reasons to be in San Francisco.
For a faction so obsessed with innovation, Silicon Valley seems like it would be a mecca for the Institute’s scientists. If they got their hands on the tech there, it could allow for upgraded synths, new teleporters, and even a rematch betweenthe Institute and the Brotherhood of Steel. The Institute already has some familiarity with San Francisco anyway, as was established by Kellogg’s memories inFallout 4’s “Dangerous Minds” quest.
Why the Institute Should Make a Comeback
Besides the Institute’s connections to Silicon Valley and the San Francisco area, their return could be a major benefit toFallout 5. Theethical dilemmas posed by the InstitutethroughoutFallout 4added weight and nuance to the game that was generally lacking from Bethesda’s other RPGs. Additionally, the Institute felt like a refreshing addition to the wasteland. The combat in theFalloutgames can feel repetitive at times, so having enemies that primarily used energy weapons and weren’t just covered in leather and scrap metal added some nice variety to the gameplay experience. At the end of the day, it would also be nice to have a returning faction from game to game that isn’t just the Brotherhood of Steel again.
Fallout 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, invite you to the ambitious open world of Fallout 4. Do whatever you want in a massive Commonwealth with hundreds of locations, characters and quests.As the sole survivor of Vault 111, only you may rebuild and determine the fate of the Wasteland. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone - the choices are yours.From a Power Armor-toting soldier to the charismatic smooth-talker, be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system and develop your own playstyle from hundreds of Perks.Experience exciting first- or third-person combat with the dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., targeting enemies for maximum tactical advantage (and cinematic carnage!) Collect, upgrade and build thousands of items with Fallout 4’s crafting system. Weapons, armor, food and with the right materials, even entire settlements are possible. Welcome home.
