Rumors long claimed Fallout 1 and 2’s source code vanished in a dramatic Interplay wipe, but that story’s got more holes than a super mutant chems stash. Turns out, Rebecca Heineman, co-founder and surprise rogue archivist, quietly saved the day by backing up the code onto CD-Rs before the corporate paper shredders arrived. The files survived—just not in Bethesda’s hands, thanks to legal tangles. Want to see how one backup CD outsmarted a whole company?
Mythmaking runs deep in the world of classic PC games, and few legends have inspired as much confusion as the supposed disappearance of the Fallout 1 and 2 source code. For years, fans and even some developers believed these foundational CRPGs had lost their innards forever, wiped out by corporate decree. The story was simple: Interplay, the original publisher, had a policy demanding the destruction of project assets whenever anyone left the company. If you were part of the team, you were supposed to hit delete on your way out—no backup, no mercy.
That’s the myth, anyway. The reality? Far more mundane, and a bit more hopeful. Rebecca Heineman, a co-founder of Interplay and archiving enthusiast, quietly sidestepped this policy. Before leaving in 1995, she backed up every active project—including Fallout and Fallout 2—onto humble CD-Rs. Interplay’s orders might have been clear, but Heineman’s archival instincts were sharper. She acted as a sort of “rogue” preservationist, saving not only released games but also unreleased projects and development materials. The gaming community is excited about potential remasters or remakes thanks to her efforts and the continued existence of these classic source codes.
The confusion was supercharged in 2023, when designer Tim Cain went public about those infamous destruction orders. Suddenly, the myth gained new life online. Rumors swirled that, after Bethesda acquired Fallout, the original code was lost to corporate oblivion. Heineman’s archival efforts began after realizing others weren’t backing up materials, which motivated her to take personal responsibility for preserving the games she worked on.
But in 2025, Heineman herself set the record straight: the code isn’t gone, it’s just… not in Bethesda’s hands. She still has the source, safe and sound, but locked away due to legal red tape. Her personal initiative reflects how digital history preservation often depends on individuals taking action when official channels fail.
So, could we someday see official remasters, or even new modding tools, powered by this long-lost code? Maybe, but only if Bethesda gives the green light. The code’s survival is a stroke of luck—and a demonstration of the value of ignoring bad corporate policies when they threaten gaming history.
For now, the real lesson is clear: always back up your files, even if the boss says otherwise. Sometimes, gaming legends are saved by a well-timed act of mild rebellion—and a stack of CD-Rs tucked away for a rainy day.