
Fallout Creator Claims He Was Ordered to Destroy Missing Code
Apr 27, 2025 2:46 PMTim Cain, the creator of Fallout, recently disclosed that he was instructed to destroy all his notes, code, and prototypes from his time at Interplay, the original developer of the franchise. This alarming admission was shared in a YouTube video where Cain revealed that he believed the studio would maintain these assets, yet they have since been reported missing. Cain described his frustration over the lack of preservation efforts in the gaming industry, emphasizing that many valuable materials from classic titles have been lost due to poor archival practices. He commended the stunning production of Amazon's TV adaptation of Fallout, showcasing his appreciation for the project's execution.
What happened to the original Fallout source code?The original source code and design notes for Fallout were lost after Tim Cain was ordered to destroy them by Interplay. Cain followed these instructions, believing the company would keep the original assets, only to later discover that they had been misplaced or lost altogether.
Fallout is a renowned RPG franchise set in a post-apocalyptic world, originally launched in 1997. Known for its rich storytelling and immersive gameplay, the series has become iconic within the gaming community. Its influence can be seen across many modern games, and its adaptation into a television series by Amazon further elevates its cultural relevance, capturing both new and veteran fans alike.

Casey Loh
Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.
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Man, it’s heartbreaking to think how much behind-the-scenes gold from classic games is just gone forever—like losing pages from gaming history. On the bright side, seeing Tim Cain hype up the Fallout show makes me hopeful the spirit of the original is still alive in new ways.

It’s wild how much gaming history gets lost because studios don’t prioritize preservation—imagine what we could learn from those original Fallout notes. At least the Amazon show is doing justice to the franchise’s vibe, so there’s that silver lining.