Why West Virginia Already Loves 'Fallout 76'
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

Why West Virginians Are Nuts About 'Fallout 76'

How the game got a whole state behind it long before release.

62
Why West Virginians Are Nuts About 'Fallout 76'
Wilson R. Harvey

Recently, my Twitter feed has been blowing up with talk of a video game. And while I follow a few friends who happen to be gamers, they aren't the only ones who have been a part of this Tweet-storm.

It all originated just over a week ago, when Bethesda announced that the new title in their acclaimed "Fallout" series, "Fallout 76", will be set in the hills of West Virginia.

Being a native West Virginian myself, I am fairly impressed with what Bethesda has on tap even though I have never played "Fallout" (though I am a gamer). What amazed me, however, is how many young West Virginians have shared my sentiment—even people who have never picked up a console controller.

This might seem like quite the anomaly to the average outsider. Someone from, say, New York probably sees their state's being used in pop culture (especially New York City) as ancient news by this point. For that matter, most of the country is routinely featured in some form of mainstream media, even states that are similarly rural like West Virginia. But the Mountain State itself has only rarely been featured, even in movies, and perhaps never in something so popular.

Even when locales are featured in video games, though, they usually don't contain detailed landmarks unless they take place in a city of note, like New York. When a game takes place somewhere rural, the landscape is usually the main feature. "Fallout 76" does seem as if it will feature West Virginia's hills, but what it does beyond that is what makes it seem to have a truly special potential for West Virginians.

Watching the trailer for the game, I must say that my mind was blown. Right there was a beautifully rendered (and tattered, due to the game's, well, nuclear fallout) New River Gorge Bridge. Woodburn Hall, perhaps the most beloved building on the campus of our beloved West Virginia University, was one of the main visuals, as was the famed Greenbrier Resort, among other landmarks. One other video even featured a rendering of the State Capitol Building in Charleston (though the video involved the city coming to an untimely end).

Though we have varying views about our state and its complex dynamics, most West Virginians I know have a love for the state. It isn't perfect, especially socially, but there are things here that you'll seldom find anywhere else.

The people of this state are kind and welcoming (though sadly, the politics of the state don't reflect that). At WVU, I've known many out-of-state students to remark that the people of Morgantown are the nicest they have met; I usually respond that ironically, Morgantown is by default one of the colder places in the state. Here in the Mountain State, you walk down the street or through the stores and often encounter people you don't know saying hello as if it were nothing.

And we West Virginians have a special bond with the natural beauty of this place. That aesthetic, so beautifully rendered in this new game (and appropriately set to the song West Virginians seem to never grow tired of, John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads") has captured our hearts. These mountains and hills are a very real part of our identity, even though many of us understandably leave.

But for all that, our state is seldom recognized. We are so excited, I believe, because this game puts us squarely in the spotlight in a way that showcases some of our greatest strengths. (Except for, you know, the part about the state being ground zero for nuclear fallout.)

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

18496
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

946924
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

123521
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments