Home / Fallout / When does Fallout: New Vegas take place? (2281) — Timeline

When does Fallout: New Vegas take place? (2281) — Timeline

Answer: 2281

Context

Obsidian’s Mojave saga begins in 2281, leading to the second dam conflict.

Timeline anchor year only: 2281 .

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Historical Record

By 2281, New Vegas is a living argument about sovereignty. The Strip runs on electricity, credit, and reputations; the Mojave runs on water rights and caravan security. A series of choices made by gamblers, engineers, and militias determines who counts as a stakeholder. Checkpoints rise and fall, and the radio bands fill with music, warnings, and philosophy in equal measure.

The year matters because it exposes how governance emerges from habit as much as law. Alliances are tested at the speed of rumor; technology and charisma compete with supply lines for influence. The fate of the region hinges on who can turn infrastructure into legitimacy—power that people recognize, not just power that can be seized.

Related

When does the First Battle of Hoover Dam take place? (2277) — Timeline

When does the Second Battle of Hoover Dam take place? (2282) — Timeline

When does the Great War in Fallout take place? (2077) — Timeline

FAQ

Q: When does Fallout: New Vegas take place?

A: Fallout: New Vegas happens in 2281 .