A Fallout 3 player recently uncovered an intriguing piece of foreshadowing that directly connects to Fallout 76. It's remarkable that even after 16 years since its release, players are still uncovering new details in Fallout 3.
When Fallout 3 launched in 2008, it garnered widespread acclaim for its meticulous attention to detail, a hallmark that has continued in Bethesda's subsequent titles. As Bethesda's first foray into the post-apocalyptic Fallout franchise, the game is packed with intricacies that many players overlooked. Even now, more than a decade later, fans are discovering hidden elements, some of which have gained new relevance thanks to the later release of Fallout 76.
One such discovery was shared by Redditor BoyDynamo, who found a reference to Vault 76 on a terminal in Fallout 3. The terminal lists "DC Area Vault Listings," and includes an entry for Vault 76, describing its purpose to reopen after 20 years—exactly as it does in Fallout 76. While it’s unlikely that Bethesda had planned Fallout 76 as far back as 2008, it’s fascinating to see how the studio drew from existing lore when developing the game.