Vault-Tec

Vault-Tec Corporation, otherwise known as Vault-Tec and sometimes called Vault-Tec Industries,[1] is a fictional defense megacorporation from the post-apocalyptic Fallout franchise. Throughout the United States, Vault-Tec created government-funded vaults, large fallout shelters that would serve to shelter civilians and allow for the continuation of human life in the threat of a nuclear attack. Within most of these Overseer-governed vaults, Vault-Tec carried out human experiments on its residents without their consent or knowledge, ranging from being mostly harmless to disturbing and inhumane.

Concept and design

Vault-Tec is a pre-war defense megacorporation responsible for creating the vaults featured throughout the Fallout series.[2] Their purpose of conducting human experiments on its residents began as an idea by Fallout co-creator Tim Cain following the 1997 release of the first Fallout game.[3][4][5] Despite its slogan "revolutionizing safety for an uncertain future,"[6] Vault-Tec is consistently portrayed as a corrupt,[7] unscrupulous corporation with themes of unfettered capitalism.[6]

Technology and identity

The Pip-Boy, a wearable computer by RobCo Industries, was initially made for pre-war and vault-living use, with many of the device's settings used for inhabitants of Vault-Tec's vaults due to the Pip-Boy being issued to each dweller.[17][13] The Pip-Boy's useful functionalities have also allowed for it to be used in the wasteland.[17] Fallout 4 features two games created by Vault-Tec that are playable on a Pip-Boy, one of which, titled Red Menace, being a propaganda game against China.[13]

Vault-Tec created V.A.T.S.,[13] or the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, a special combat system introduced in Fallout 3 and featured throughout the series.[18][19] The combat system allows for the player to target the specific limb of an enemy based on chance.[20][21] Fallout 76 features technology created by Vault-Tec such as portable C.A.M.P.S. (Construction and Assembly Mobile Platform)[22][13] and G.E.C.K. (Garden of Eden Creation Kit) devices.[23]

Vault-Tec's identity is highly represented by Vault Boy, the corporation mascot.[24][25][26]

Appearances

The first of Vault-Tec's creations appeared in the first Fallout game, where the player originates from Vault 13, one of many created by Vault-Tec.[27] Although Vault-Tec's concept of conducting human experiments was not yet developed, Vault 13 still had remnants of the yet-existent concept as the Overseers were tasked with keeping its residents in the vault no matter what, for as long as possible.[28]

Vault-Tec's lore formulized with the release of Fallout 2,[8] in which Cain described one of the vaults as being a "control vault," explaining it as giving the company "a purpose beyond just 'let's save some of the American population then release them back into a radioactive dead zone.'"[29]

Vault-Tec appears in Fallout 3, notably behind the creation of several vaults in the Capital Wasteland such as Vault 101, where the Lone Wanderer begins the game.[30][31]

In Fallout 4, the player is guided through a tutorial sequence where they enter Vault 111 and, as part of Vault-Tec's experiment within this vault, becoming cryogenically frozen for two centuries.[32][33] One of the game's DLC is Vault-Tec Workshop, in which the player has the ability to construct and customize the initially-empty Vault 88.[34][35]

In Fallout Shelter, the player builds and manages their own vault.[36]

In Fallout 76, which takes place in West Virginia, the player is an inhabitant of Vault 76,[37] one of the 17 "control" vaults. According to a log in Fallout 3, one of the workers for Vault 76, the assistant CEO of Vault-Tec, was kidnapped by aliens.[38] Vault-Tec runs an institution in the area known as Vault-Tec University, which features a simulation vault for training purposes.[39]

Promotion and reception

In 2008, as part of a marketing campaign for Fallout 3, a collector's edition version of the game was released, which included a Vault-Tec lunch box.[57] In 2019, a limited edition Vault-Tec themed computer case was released by NZXT, with a limited quantity of 1,000 units.[58] The following year, Bethesda partnered with gaming chair company Noblechairs to release a Vault-Tec edition chair.[59] Following the release of the 2024 Fallout series, Arizona Beverage Company released Fallout and Vault-Tec themed ice tea energy drinks.[60] Gunnar Optiks also released Vault 33-themed eyeglasses.[61]

Vault-Tec has been placed in several top-ranking lists for evil corporations within video games, including by The Guardian,[62] GamesRadar+,[63] PC Gamer,[64] and TheGamer.[65] Sarah Milner of Polygon described Vault-Tec as having "little interest in saving the population – its corporate leadership was playing the long game, using the majority of the Vaults to conduct social experiments and scientific research, free from the restraints of regulations or ethics."[8]

External links

• Vault-Tec Corporation at Nukapedia, the Fallout Fandom wiki
• Vault-Tec Corporation at the independent Fallout wiki