ATHENS, Ohio — Local gamers now may visit a radioactive rendition of Southeast Ohio in the just-released Burning Springs expansion for “Fallout 76.”
Initially released in 2018 by game publisher Bethesda, “Fallout 76” is a multiplayer action-role playing game set primarily in West Virginia after a nuclear war has devastated America.
Released Dec. 2, the Burning Springs expansion centers on Southeast Ohio, reimagining towns such as Albany and Athens.
Though the game’s reimagining of Athens is not one-to-one, pre-release promotion showed iconic buildings in town, such as the Athens County Courthouse and the Athens Armory.
“My first thought when I heard about it was to visit my house,” Ohio University student Willow Downard told the Independent. “I’m curious if they implemented it or not.”
The game features a base-building mechanic that allows players to set up personal camps on the map. Players connected to Athens told the Independent they’re excited to build bases at their real-world homes or at iconic Athens locations.
“I want to put my base on Richland Avenue, unless they have the old high school, then I’ll have to put it there,” Patrick McDaniel, a professor at the University of Wisconsin who grew up in Athens who is a fan of the game, said.
Players like Ohio University students Raddison Ray and Downard said they hope to build their bases at the sites of their current dorm and home, respectively.
Ray described himself as a casual “Fallout 76” player who regained interest once seeing the news that Athens features in the expansion.
“I think Athens people are going to be super excited about the representation,” he said, “I actually got my roommate into the game by showing him the update.”
McDaniel is excited to revisit Athens within the “Fallout” world.
McDaniel has deep roots in the city, attending Athens High School and then Ohio University, where he met his wife before graduating in 1989. The update is especially important to him, as he’s been playing Fallout games “almost as long as they’ve been around,” he said.
When he learned that Athens was featured in the game, McDaniel said, “I immediately texted all my fraternity brothers and everybody was losing their minds. In a weird way it’s like, ‘wow, I’m gonna be able to go home but within this virtual world.’ It 100% got me back into it after a year-long break.”
McDaniel said he hopes to connect with other Athens residents through the game.
“I’ve seen mini-communities pop up for other towns,” he said, “and I’m hoping to use it as this strange sort of social media to connect with people who care so much about Athens.”
Two of McDaniel’s sons also play the game, and he mentioned that it’s been fun to have another reason to talk about Athens with them. Likewise, Radd said he hopes the game draws more attention to the area.
“‘76’ drew a lot of attention for Point Pleasant and the legend of the Mothman specifically,” Radd said, “ I’m excited to see Athens get a lot of exposure in similar ways.”
The game includes a reference to the tradition of Halloween in Athens. Posted in the center of town is a large sign reading “Welcome to Athens Halloween.”
McDaniel said he hopes to see the town’s culture reflected in other ways.
“It’s such a unique place –– the chemistry between the very rural foothills of the Appalachian mountains, plus international students, plus university, has created this crucible of Athens culture that you can’t find anywhere else,” McDaniel said. “I hope the people that build this are cognizant of that culture.”
“Fallout 76” is available to purchase on Steam, Xbox, and Playstation platforms. The Burning Springs expansion is free to players who already have the game.
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