Let someone say that video games don’t play a role in the real world. At least the tourism office of West Virginia is really happy about the burgeoning popularity of the US region thanks to Fallout 76. In Bethesda’s new role-playing game you travel (together with friends) a post-apocalyptic, devastated variant of the state.
West Virginia’s tourism industry is taking advantage of this fact to partner with Bethesda to specifically open up to Fallout players interested in the country. They “want to develop marketing strategies to inform players about the unique sights and cultural features of West Virginia and at the same time give them an open invitation to visit the state themselves in the coming months.”
So that official notice. So far, this partnership has had no obvious consequences, other than one at the Mothman Museum T-shirts and posters from Fallout 76 can buy. But at least it leads to an American politician expressing himself consistently positive about video games for a change:
“I’ve been saying for years that we have everything here. Beautiful landscapes, the best people you could ask for. And now we’re sharing that with people all over the world through the unique angle of a video game.”
Well, such statements should of course always be seen in the context of PR strategies. And one can also doubt that one will come across friendly West Virginia faces in the deserted Fallout 76.
Played for the first time: Our review impressions of Fallout 76
5:00
Fallout 76 Preview – Gameplay conclusion after playing for three hours