If you’ve ever wanted to visit The Wastelands on a more immersive level, we have good news. During its E3 press conference, Bethesda Softworks marketing chief, Pete Hines announced that Fallout 4 will debut on the HTC Vive virtual reality headset in 2017.
“Let’s not make a short version of Fallout 4—the promise is the whole game,” game director, Todd Howard said.
This will make Fallout 4 the first big open-world game to get an official, studio-released virtual reality mode. (With some work, players can already play Fallout 4 on Oculus Rift with VorpX.) As this game is being specifically ported for virtual reality, however, time will tell how the work-around compares with Bethesda’s official product.
In Fallout 4, players must wander the Wastelands with their trusty canine companion, Dogmeat. An interactive wrist device called the Pip Boy allows players to access their in-game menus, notes, etc. “If you thought that survival mode was an intense way to experience Fallout“, Bethesda marketing chief Pete Hines said at the company’s E3 press conference, “you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Doom in VR was also announced, although it appears to be a virtual tour of the hellish landscape rather than a complete game. Bethesda is showing demos of both Doom and Fallout 4 in VR at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) this week. Marketing extends beyond the show floor with discounts on Fallout items on Bethesda’s online store during E3.
Save during #E32016! Get 20% off on your favorite #Fallout items until Thursday. https://t.co/fFH8RUisht pic.twitter.com/rPGCO3GH7x
— Fallout (@Fallout) June 12, 2016