The Number of Vaults in Fallout

Introduction

• Speaker: Tim
• Topic: Discussion on the number of vaults in Fallout universe
• Note: Non-canon perspective, just for fun

Initial Vault Design

• Original Plan: 1000 vaults
• Reason for 1000: Decided during the design of the Vault suit; enough digits for the numbering system
• Digits on Suit: Three digits (0-999)

Population Considerations

• Capacity: Each vault holding 1000 people
• Total Capacity: Only 1 million people
• US Population Context: Estimated 200-300 million people
  • Vaults would save much less than 1% of the population
• Wealthy Population: Even top 1% wouldn’t all fit

Numbering of Vaults and the Experiment Idea

• Control Vault Concept: Vault zero led to the experiment idea
• Reference: Linked video on vaults as experiments

Distribution of Vaults

• States and Commonwealths: Reference to 13 commonwealths flag
  • 13 doesn’t divide into 1000 easily
• Even Distribution: Hypothetically 20 vaults per state
  • Bigger states like Texas would need more, smaller states like Rhode Island less

Vaults in Fallout Games and Show

Fallout 1 and 2

• Location: California
  • Fallout 1: Southern California
  • Fallout 2: Northern California
• Number of Vaults: About 4-6 vaults
  • Numbered Vaults: 4
  • Including Unnumbered: 6

Fallout TV Show

• Location: California (Los Angeles area)
• Number of Vaults: 4 additional vaults (31, 32, 33, 34)
• Total for California: 10 vaults

Fallout New Vegas

• Location: Nevada
• Feeling of Abundance: Felt like many vaults compared to Fallout 1 and 2
• Actual Number: 7 vaults
• Reasonable Estimate: Nevada should have approximately 20 vaults

Conclusion on Vault Numbers

• Vault-Tec’s Actual Build: Far fewer than 1000 vaults built
• Under Construction: Some vaults not completed before bombs fell
• International Vaults: Potential vaults in Canada and Mexico

Estimations and Speculations

• Underserved Vaults: Even majorly covered states felt underserved
• Possible Total: Fewer than half of the planned 1000 vaults were built
• Reason: Vault-Tec’s underbidding, likely planning to not complete all vaults
• Corruption: Comparison to real-world government contracts

Final Thoughts

• Vault-Tec: Money-driven and corrupt
• Experiment Idea: Possibly influenced by knowing not all vaults would save people

Summary

• Thought Experiment: Non-canon musings on why there were fewer vaults than planned
• Fun Friday Topic: Insight into the Fallout universe and Vault-Tec’s potential motives