Fallout co-creator says fan theories are too often decided by "the most entitled people on the internet" – only IP owners determine what's canon: "They say something, that's canon"

1. Games
2. RPGs
3. Fallout

Fallout co-creator says fan theories are too often decided by "the most entitled people on the internet" – only IP owners determine what's canon: "They say something, that's canon" News By Ashley Bardhan published 30 November 2025

Tim Cain thinks you might be confused

Comments (0) ()

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Interplay)

Miserable news for my Fallout ghoul fanfiction: franchise co-creator Tim Cain says only IP owners determine what counts as video game "canon." Developers don't have much input into the matter, and fan opinions are roughly treated the same way.

You just "can't say game players define canon," Cain says in a new video on his YouTube channel, "because you have no consensus. [...] So that means for any particular game, you're going to have hundreds, thousands, millions of canons. And while you may think that's great and wonderful and that's your truth, I don't see how that helps us."

Let's Talk About Canon - YouTube Watch On

"Let's assume that you're going to say, 'OK, when the majority of players think something is canon, it's canon,'" Cain continues. Then he asks, "are you sure it's the majority of players feel that way? Because what it probably is is the loudest people on the internet, the most frequent posters on the internet, and also some of the most entitled people on the internet." You can keep debating your interpretations of Dogmeat as religious metaphor on r/Fallout, Cain suggests, but saying it doesn't make it true.

You may like

• Fallout co-creator Tim Cain acknowledges Bethesda made the franchise bigger, but he would have done things differently: "Did they expand it the way I would have? No, not at all, that's OK"
• Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says "leaving some mystery" and undeveloped lore in games is important so players are keen to play follow-ups and sequels: "If you tell everything, players will want nothing"
• Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says the one thing he'd like to see from the series moving forward is an "actual good faction": "Fallout trains you that everything's gray"

That said, a developer like Cain has limited input on what ends up being franchise "canon," too. While Cain acknowledges that dev intent often "aligns with canon and many times also with player interpretation. But it doesn't have to."

Meanwhile, Cain explains, if the Fallout IP owner "says that Harold is a ghoul, he's a ghoul. If they say he's a mutant, he's a mutant," Cain says. "I'm not canon. and the team wasn't canon because even though there's a lot of correlation between what we thought was true when we made it and what is canon, that correlation is not 100%." Any problems, take it up with IP guardian Bethesda.

Or relax with our list of the best Fallout games, ranked.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. TOPICS Bethesda Game Studios Bethesda Softworks CATEGORIES PC Gaming Platforms Ashley BardhanSenior Writer

Ashley is a Senior Writer at GamesRadar+. She's been a staff writer at Kotaku and Inverse, too, and she's written freelance pieces about horror and women in games for sites like Rolling Stone, Vulture, IGN, and Polygon. When she's not covering gaming news, she's usually working on expanding her doll collection while watching Saw movies one through 11.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Fallout co-creator Tim Cain acknowledges Bethesda made the franchise bigger, but he would have done things differently: "Did they expand it the way I would have? No, not at all, that's OK"    Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says "leaving some mystery" and undeveloped lore in games is important so players are keen to play follow-ups and sequels: "If you tell everything, players will want nothing"    Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says the one thing he'd like to see from the series moving forward is an "actual good faction": "Fallout trains you that everything's gray"    "I don't think there's such a thing as a good game": Fallout's Tim Cain says "the same people will complain" about a game with bad reviews while praising a game with good reviews even if they have the "exact same problem"    Fallout co-creator warns studios amid rising layoffs and focus on AI that devs are not replaceable: "You're left with a company where nobody knows anything"    Fallout co-creator Tim Cain explains the biggest RPG sins, including annoying NPCs, bad exposition, and those terrible escort missions: "'This escort quest will be fun.' They'd be wrong."    Latest in Fallout Ghost in the Shell director and Death Stranding 2's pizza guy has "deep respect" for Hideo Kojima games, but hasn't been able to pull himself off Fallout 4 for 8 years    Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says "leaving some mystery" and undeveloped lore in games is important so players are keen to play follow-ups and sequels: "If you tell everything, players will want nothing"    Fallout: New Vegas fans uncover an early build for the iconic RPG, featuring the original Mr House design and a steamy romance to go alongside it    After 8 years of positive reviews, Fallout 4 drops back down to a "Mostly Negative" Steam rating – and it's all thanks to Bethesda's disastrous Anniversary Edition launch    Fallout co-creator Tim Cain says today's games could learn a lot from '80s games: "They add too many things thinking more of those things make the game better, when really what they do is dilute the game"    After 17 years, Bethesda finally seems to be making good on Fallout 3's disappointing collector's edition with a "fully functional" $300 Pip-Boy replica    Latest in News Hytale's returning owner has hatched a genuinely ingenious marketing strategy: repeatedly telling everyone the game "isn't good," but like, only for now    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Jennifer English says it was "hard" playing two characters in the RPG: "I had to find the subtlety of it being the same but different"    Team Cherry finally answers to the crimes of Silksong's Bilewater: "We just love a big swamp. We wanted some kind of poison status for ages"    The best Cyber Monday PS5 deals in 2025: second-chance console, game and accessory discounts live right now    The best Cyber Monday Nintendo Switch deals 2025: big last chance console, game, and accessory discounts    Noah Schnapp reveals a Stranger Things poster almost gave away the big episode 4 reveal    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1Escape from Tarkov review: "An extraction shooter that will make you truly miserable if you let it, but can offer dizzying highs you won't find elsewhere"
2. 2Fans think this is the best strategy board game ever made, and I have to admit that they've got a point
3. 3Constance review: "If Hollow Knight: Silksong seems too daunting, this wonderful paint powered adventure should do nicely"
4. 4This enthralling team board game is perfect for playing with family this Thanksgiving
5. 5Kirby Air Riders review: "This racer is also equal parts fighting game, minigame collection, and roguelike – and I'm shocked at how well that works"

1. 1Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
2. 2Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
3. 3The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
4. 4Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
5. 5Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc review "Storytelling just as compelling as the chainsaws, devils, and visually excessive fight scenes"

1. 1Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”
2. 2Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
3. 3The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
4. 4IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
5. 5Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"