Former Bethesda Softworks advertising boss Pete Hines has opened up concerning the Fallout 76 bag controversy of 2018, saying it led to “in all probability the dumbest factor” he ever did on the firm.
Hines, who served as senior vice chairman of worldwide advertising and communications at Bethesda earlier than saying plans to retire in 2023, touched on the notorious Fallout 76 Energy Armor Version throughout an interview with DBLTAP. The primary true multiplayer Fallout expertise got here with too many points to rely at launch, nevertheless it’s the goodies promised with its collector’s version that dwell with the previous Bethesda government to this present day.
The corporate unveiled the expensive Energy Armor Version with the promise it could embody a T-51B Energy Armor Helmet, an unique metal case, collectible figures, and, after all, a canvas West Tek Duffel Bag. Gamers who picked up their copies upon the launch of Fallout 76 in late 2018, nonetheless, had been stunned when the bundle included an affordable, nylon bag as an alternative.
It led to fairly the uproar from the Fallout neighborhood, which wasn’t captivated with the concept Bethesda might have pulled a quick one on the group of devoted followers who paid $200 for the particular launch with solely a small quantity of in-game forex to point out for it. It was a flub the corporate was fast to appropriate, providing followers a chance to request a substitute canvas bag by filling out a type by Might of the next 12 months.
Hines doesn’t keep in mind this aspect of the launch of Fallout 76 fondly, recalling how his involvement within the contents of the Energy Armor Version led to considered one of his greatest errors at Bethesda.
“My first response was, ‘When the f**ok did we add a canvas bag to this collector’s version?’ As a result of the model I authorized didn’t have one,” he stated. “They had been attempting so as to add extra worth to the Collectors Version. We had been at all times preventing with the finance individuals about margins, proper? I might throw shit matches round. ‘We can not cost $300 for this, it is f***ing insulting.’ However on this case, their hearts had been in the correct place.”
Hines continued, explaining that the choice to incorporate a nylon bag got here on account of a canvas scarcity.
“There was actually a canvas scarcity, and a few of us determined we will do that as an alternative. My greatest failing there was not pushing instantly for making and sending one to everyone that desires one. As a result of I used to be nonetheless irritated that the rattling factor was in there within the first place, and no one had instructed me and that this canvas scarcity occurred. It is in all probability the dumbest factor I ever did at Bethesda.”
Fallout 76 had a notoriously tough begin however is mostly regarded to be in a lot better form today. Bethesda has delivered an ocean of updates and post-launch content material within the years since, with the CAMP Revamp replace arriving only a few days in the past. We gave the multiplayer Fallout recreation a 7/10 in our up to date evaluate final 12 months.
For extra on Bethesda’s historical past, you possibly can learn up on how Hines feels about gaming subscription providers like Recreation Move. You can too see what the previous Bethesda government needed to say concerning the naming of Arkane Austin’s 2017 immersive sim, Prey.
Michael Cripe is a contract author with IGN. He is greatest identified for his work at websites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. You’ll want to give him a observe on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
