When embargo lifted and previews from other outlets for Fallout 76 emerged like a survivor from the vaults in the very same game franchise – a curious note was shown in-game that had fans speculating Bethesda had retconned a major part of the franchise. Now, Bethesda has gone on the record to confirm this is the case.

The note, which confirms the Brotherhood of Steel had a major presence in Appalachia (what locals came to call West Virginia as post-nuclear war), claims the paramilitary organization somehow made it across the country roughly 50 years prior to their original emergence in the game’s timeline.

Originally, the Brotherhood emerged in 2150 – now Bethesda is saying they operated in West Virginia in 2102 by utilizing a “functioning satellite to extend their reach across America… all the way to Appalachia.” This explains how they had a presence on the East Coast prior to having vertibird gunships, which they didn’t obtain for another 50 or more years.

It’s worth pointing out that established Fallout lore notes the Brotherhood of Steel essentially started their operations when they left the Mariposa Military Base in 2077, only to shack up in the Lost Hills fallout shelter.

How do you feel about Bethesda retconning a major faction in the Fallout universe? Should they just have made a new faction entirely? Sound off in the comments below!

Fallout 76 is launching on November 14th across Windows PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.