Tim Cain Archives

AppWizard

January 4, 2026

‘I’m over making other people really wealthy with my own creations’: Fallout co-creator Tim Cain isn’t interested in making a new IP or a sequel to one of his classic RPGs and, at this point, he’s ‘exasperated with the question’

Tim Cain, the creator of the original Fallout, has been asked about the possibility of developing a new RPG or revisiting the Fallout franchise, as well as sequels to his other games like Arcanum and Temple of Elemental Evil. He has been active in the gaming industry since the 1990s, co-founding Troika Games and contributing to various projects, including Obsidian Entertainment's The Outer Worlds. Recently, he rejoined Obsidian full-time after previously serving as a consultant for The Outer Worlds 2. Currently, he is involved in non-lead design roles for several Obsidian titles and has contributed to games like South Park: The Stick of Truth, Tyranny, and Pillars of Eternity.

AppWizard

December 6, 2025

Fallout co-creator Tim Cain is out of ‘semi-retirement’ and back at Obsidian

Tim Cain has returned to full-time work at Obsidian Entertainment after a period of semi-retirement. He is now an in-office employee, having relocated back to California. Cain has hinted that he is working on a new project but has not disclosed specifics, advising against speculation related to the Fallout franchise. He mentioned that a game he contributed to during his contract work will be released soon. Additionally, he will continue to produce content for his YouTube channel.

AppWizard

December 5, 2025

Fallout co-creator Tim Cain is out of ‘semi-retirement’ and back at Obsidian

Tim Cain has returned to Obsidian Entertainment as a full-time in-office employee after a period of semi-retirement and contract work. He announced this change in a recent video, stating he is no longer a contractor. While he did not disclose specific projects, he hinted that he is working on something unexpected and mentioned that a game he contributed to during his contract work will be released soon. Cain's YouTube channel will continue, with support from his colleagues at Obsidian.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says canon is ‘whatever the owner of the IP says it is’ but that’s okay because ‘the best part of interpretation is you can’t be wrong’

Harold is a character in the Fallout universe known for his grotesque mutation and a sapling growing from his head, leading to speculation about his origins as a virus-infected mutant, a radiation-poisoned ghoul, or a combination of both. Tim Cain, co-creator of Fallout, discussed the character's ambiguity in a YouTube video, stating that various interpretations are valid and encouraged, as long as they are clearly defined. This perspective promotes personal interpretation and dialogue about the game's lore among fans.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Fallout co-creator says modern games “don’t really know what they want to be,” and I don’t need to look too hard for examples

The modern gaming landscape, especially in triple-A titles, is characterized by high budgets and a strong drive for mass appeal, which can dilute quality. Tim Cain, co-creator of Fallout, critiques this trend, advocating for a focused approach reminiscent of 1980s game design. He differentiates between games that achieve mass appeal through exceptional execution, like Skyrim and Baldur's Gate 3, and those that attempt to appeal broadly but lack distinct identity, such as Concord and Killing Floor 3. Cain notes that contemporary games often suffer from confusion about their purpose, resulting from a design process aimed at satisfying publishers and broad demographics. In contrast, 1980s developers faced hardware limitations that necessitated focus and efficiency, leading to clearer game concepts. Upcoming nominees for the 2025 Game of the Year, including Expedition 33, Hades 2, Silksong, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, exemplify the benefits of tight design and unique identities. Cain compares this principle to fine dining, where fewer ingredients can lead to a more enjoyable experience, suggesting that clarity and focus in game design can enhance player experiences.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

A jaw-dropping mod to remake part of Fallout 1 in Doom has resurfaced after 3 years of silence

Developer Alexander "Red888guns" Berezin has released a new trailer for Fallout: Bakersfield, a project recreating the ghoul city of Necropolis from the original Fallout game as a first-person shooter using the GZDoom Engine. The last teaser was a 55-second clip from September 2022. Berezin's artistry distinguishes this mod, and recent work on Artstation includes 3D mockups of classic Fallout environments. The trailer features a unique interface combining elements from Doom and Fallout, with a vintage vacuum tube aesthetic. Fallout: Bakersfield aims to faithfully retell the Necropolis sequence, culminating in a confrontation with the super mutant Harry. The project is currently 60% complete, with a tentative release date hinted for 2027. Berezin is also involved with New Blood's Fallout-inspired RPG and invites fans to subscribe on Boosty for updates.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

‘They told me to destroy’ my backups, Fallout creator Tim Cain says: ‘People high up at companies take authority but no responsibility’ for game preservation

The evolution of RPG visuals began in the late '90s with titles like Fallout, which featured clay heads and marked a shift from sprites to 3D models. Tim Cain, co-creator of Fallout, discussed the creation of these visuals, noting that while the game used sprites, the graphics were made with advanced 3D modeling software. He expressed concern over the fate of the original source art files, which were backed up on DAT tape but may have been lost due to the tape's limited lifespan. Cain also highlighted challenges in preserving historic games like Fallout due to corporate ownership, emphasizing the broader issue of gaming history preservation. He voiced frustration over companies losing important assets and the responsibility they have to maintain these cultural artifacts.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Fallout creator laments the loss of the game’s earliest development materials: ‘I had that in digital form and was ordered to destroy it’

Tim Cain, the creator of the original Fallout, shared insights on his YouTube channel about his career and the game's origins, including the purposes of the Vaults and the game's setting in 2161. He recounted a past incident with publisher Interplay, where he was compelled to destroy a collection of early Fallout materials, including design notes and game builds, to avoid legal conflict. Cain highlighted the industry's failure in game preservation, noting that when he left Fallout, he was instructed to destroy his entire archive. A study indicated that about 87% of all games created are now unplayable without piracy or archival visits, underscoring the challenges in preserving both games and development materials.

AppWizard

August 14, 2024

Josh Sawyer would head up a new Fallout game if Microsoft asked, but he’d have to do it his way: ‘Who wants to work on something where the one thing they want to explore is not possible to explore?’

Fallout: New Vegas is regarded as a high point in the Fallout series, despite some fans feeling it is undervalued by Bethesda, which did not develop it. There is interest in a new Obsidian-developed Fallout game, with Josh Sawyer expressing willingness to lead such a project under certain conditions. Tim Cain, co-creator of the original Fallout, indicated he would consider returning if there were opportunities for new creative exploration. However, both Sawyer and Cain's return seems unlikely due to Bethesda's focus on iterative design rather than narrative depth, and the current industry trend towards risk-averse blockbuster titles.

AppWizard

June 29, 2024

It would take a lot to get OG Fallout lead Tim Cain to return to the series: ‘The very first question out of my mouth is ‘What’s new about it?”

Tim Cain, the original lead developer of the Fallout series, has been discussing various aspects of the franchise on his YouTube channel. Despite his continued interest in Fallout, Cain seems hesitant about returning to the franchise. Cain emphasized that his main driving force is his personal interest in a project, and he is more motivated by innovation and thrill rather than financial considerations. Cain appears to be engaged in several new game projects that excite him, including a willingness to work on sequels like The Outer Worlds 2.