Opening Nov. 14 and on view through the end of the year at National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, the World of Fallout exhibition is a foray into the universe that makes up the popular world of the Fallout franchise. Launched in 1997 by publisher Bethesda Softworks and developer Bethesda Game Studios, the franchise includes a game and wildly popular television series. Prime Video’s 2024 Fallout television series drew more than 100 million viewers worldwide.

© National Atomic Testing Museum

The new exhibition is a collaboration between the museum and Bethesda Softworks, and showcases objects and interpretive displays. The world of the series includes Vaults, a Vault Boy mascot and a post-apocalyptic Wasteland that has become imbedded in popular culture. The new exhibition also explores links between the imaginary world of the series and actual mid-20^th-century nuclear history — augmenting the permanent collection of the Atomic Age’s scientific, military and social history.

“What makes this exhibit one-of-a-kind is that we’re putting iconic Fallout symbols side by side with the history that inspired them,” said Joseph Kent, chief community officer and curator, National Atomic Testing Museum. “It’s a chance for gamers and history buffs alike to see just how closely the two worlds connect.”

© National Atomic Testing Museum

Operated and maintained by Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, National Atomic Testing Museum documents the world’s nuclear history, which began Jan. 27, 1951, with the first test at the Nevada Test Site. The museum is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last entry at 4 p.m. Tours are self-guided, and the museum website encourages visitors to allocate one–two hours for full exploration.