The Hardship Behind the Original Fallout Tim Cain’s Two Year Grind
Tim Cain, who created the original Fallout game, explained his difficult work situation which included financial difficulties and long hours of work. For two years, Cain worked 12 hour a day, seven days a week, to ensure the project’s success.
To stay ahead of the development cycle, Cain maintained a strict routine. He woke up at 6 a.m. and arrived at the Interplay office by 7 a.m. to code in silence before the day's meetings began. He typically left the office at 7 p.m. but continued his work at home to monitor development progress until 10 p.m. The production schedule evolved from its initial five day work structure to a complete seven day work schedule which lasted for two years.
Cain dedicated himself to his work because he needed money to survive. At the time, he was balancing student loan repayments with a new mortgage. The company raised his salary which resulted in him staying at Interplay until he reached the minimum financial requirement to obtain a 1995 home loan.
His financial situation remained troubled despite receiving a salary increase. Cain lived paycheck to paycheck and could not afford to buy lunch, choosing instead to prepare meals at home. He rented out a room in his new house to Fred Hatch who worked as a production assistant to help pay his bills. Cain described this period as a time when he had no spare cash, with every cent directed toward his housing and debt.
The culture of overtime extended beyond Cain. He noted that game testers often volunteered to work on Saturdays without extra compensation because they were passionate about the game's quality. The dedication of the team led to the creation of one of the most successful RPG franchises in history while Cain has said he feels relief that the intense crunch period has ended although it remains challenging to keep such a demanding work style.
- Two years of consistent 12 hour days.
- Lived paycheck to paycheck to pay off student loans and a mortgage.
- Stayed with the company after a minimal raise allowed him to secure a home.
- Testers worked weekends for free due to their passion for the project.
