This is all very entertaining to read. But to come to some kind of final conclusion, isn't it best to see this game simply as another addition to the Fallout series, not necessarily its successor. Just like Fallout Tactics and Brotherhood of Shit. Lets work some cool mods out together or something.
This whole discussion should rather go in this direction:
Fallout Fan: "I like Bananas."
Bethesda Fan: "I like Apples."
F.F: "Eeeewww."
B.F: "And I like Bananas too. They taste as good as Apples."
F.F: "God, you're stupid. Don't you see? It's all a scam to get your money. Look at those huge worms in your Apple."
B.F: "There are some brown parts on your Banana, dude."
F.F: "You're right. C'mon, lets smack that UT n00b over there and then we buy some nice fruits from his money."