White House became a radioactive crater in Fallout 3 because there were no quests

Bethesda developers have been revisiting Fallout's creation, and one design anecdote stands out: Emil Pagliarulo says an envisioned subway network under Washington, DC, sounded cool until he realised endless tunnels would be dull. Many team members had lived in the capital, and that familiarity shaped the decision to set the game in a recognisable, ruined version of the city.

Lead artist Istvan Pely explains the practical side of building the world: much architecture came from modular kits so office blocks and suburbs could be filled out quickly, while iconic landmarks like the Jefferson Memorial and the Capitol required unique pieces of art and took longer to make.

For studio head Todd Howard, anchoring the game in real places helped players “reach and touch the world” and made visiting familiar sites part of the appeal. When it came to the White House, level design never specified any gameplay there, so it was easy to overlook.

United States, Washington, DC

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