Summary

  • Development on the Fallout: Vault 13 mod has been suspended to prioritize the team's well-being.
  • The mod aimed to recreate Fallout 1 in Fallout 4 and teased a host of innovative gameplay features.
  • Despite the suspension, a full build will be released in the coming weeks for preservation and future modders.

Fallout fans following the development of the anticipated Fallout 4 mod Fallout: Vault 13 have received a disappointing update after the development team announced the project’s suspension. The ambitious mod has been in development since 2021, aiming to recreate the first game of the post-apocalyptic franchise in Fallout 4, and despite the demo being a huge success, work has now come to a halt.

Fallout 4 was released by Bethesda in 2015 and saw players assume the role of the "Sole Survivor" of Vault 111. Over the last nine years, players have created a host of gameplay-enhancing mods, and Vault 13 was set to bring a unique experience into the Boston-based wasteland. The equally popular Fallout 4 mod Fallout: London recently received a massive update, fixing over 1000 bugs, addressing quest issues, gameplay tweaks, NPC adjustments, and much more.

In an announcement posted to the mod’s Discord server and Twitter account, the Vault 13 development team confirmed they had "officially suspended development." The project’s co-lead Culinwino noted how unexpected the news may seem and apologized for any disappointment caused after producing a stellar demo. The co-lead explained the suspension was due to several factors, including, "burnout, difficulty in recruiting and retaining team members with niche skills, and personal life changes among core team members." Fallout: Vault 13 was set to include a map full of iconic locations from the first game and a list of innovative gameplay features, highlighting the mod’s challenging scale. However, the team’s statement addressed the "limited resources by volunteers" available to complete the project. Additionally, fans were assured the team did not receive a cease and desist from Bethesda.

Fallout: Vault 13 Team Announces Modding Project's Suspension

Vault 13’s demo was released in August on Nexus Mods and was regarded by the team as a "huge milestone." The demo contained "The Inyo," which was the first major open-world area in the project, and fans were also looking forward to Fallout: Vault 13’s teased new dialogue system. Despite active development coming to an end, the statement confirmed a full build of the mod would be released in the coming weeks, allowing the community full access to the work accomplished so far in an attempt to preserve the content for future modders and fans.

The project’s suspension is a major blow for Fallout fans and modders alike, but it’s clear the right decision was made to prioritize the team’s well-being. Previously, Culinwino explained the importance of retaining Fallout 1’s aesthetic in Fallout: Vault 13, which was an aspect players were most looking forward to experiencing. However, the community is hopeful another group of modders can unite in the future and pick up where this talented team left off.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Fallout 4 Tag Page Cover Art
9 /10

Fallout 4
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RPG
Action
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Systems
PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
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Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 89%
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Released
November 10, 2015
ESRB
M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS
Developer(s)
Bethesda
Publisher(s)
Bethesda
Engine
Creation
Cross-Platform Play
no
Cross Save
no
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, invite you to the ambitious open world of Fallout 4. Do whatever you want in a massive Commonwealth with hundreds of locations, characters and quests.
As the sole survivor of Vault 111, only you can rebuild and determine the fate of the Wasteland. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone - the choices are yours.
From a Power Armor-toting soldier to the charismatic smooth-talker, be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Character system and develop your own playstyle from hundreds of Perks.
Experience exciting first- or third-person combat with the dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., targeting enemies for maximum tactical advantage (and cinematic carnage!) Collect, upgrade and build thousands of items with Fallout 4's crafting system. Weapons, armor, food and with the right materials, even entire settlements are possible. Welcome home.

Franchise
Fallout
Steam Deck Compatibility
yes
Genre(s)
RPG, Action
How Long To Beat
27 Hours
X|S Optimized
No
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
File Size Xbox Series
51 GB (December 2023)
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty