MORGANTOWN — The recent launch of “Fallout 76,” an online action role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios, has given players a glimpse of West Virginia — albeit a post-apocalyptic one.
Dubbed Appalachia, the open-world representation features recreations of some of the state’s most popular landmarks such as the Capitol, The Greenbrier, WVU’s own Woodburn Circle, New River Gorge Bridge and Camden Park. It also delve’s into West Virginian folklore, as gamers must battle mutated horrors inspired by legendary cryptids like the Mothman and the Flatwoods monster.
While the latest installment in the Fallout series has received mixed reviews for glitches and technical difficulties, it has nonetheless shone a light on the Mountain State that officials and many residents are embracing.
The West Tourism Office and Bethesda have teamed up and plan to announce promotional events, tours and Vault Boy sightings in coming weeks.
And fans in town will get the chance to celebrate Fallout and the state’s culture with a Fallout exhibit and concert Saturday at 123 Pleasant Street.
“This is a way to get the art community involved with the music community,” said organizer Brian Spragg, who is also the drummer for Beast Friend, one of the bands set to perform.
He came up with the idea after attending a community happy hour earlier this year intended to nurture the area arts scene.
“I think things like this should happen more often, even monthly, with different themes,” Spragg said. “This was my way to try out that [art and music] format.”
While participating musicians and artists are encouraged to make or perform Fallout-centric material, he added that the most important aspect is to showcase what state creators have to offer.
“The main thing for me was most of the people either have West Virginia-specific pieces or just the fact that they’re from here,” Spragg said. “The game takes place here, so some of the pieces are Fallout- or West Virginia-themed, but other pieces will just be the artists’ normal stuff.”
The art show kicks off at 8 p.m. and will feature works by Deerjerk (Bryn Perrott), Malissa Goff, Liz Pavlovic, Brian Pickens, Naomi Porterfield and Stephen Schrock.
Music starts at 10 p.m. Along with Beast Friend, bands taking the stage will be Culture Thief, Cavern and Goldenhorseshoe.
“Bands will play their own music for the most part, but throwing a song or two from the game or related to the idea of Fallout in there,” Spragg said. “Beast Friend is going to play one Fallout song. … and I know Culture Thief has something planned.”
Attendees are welcome to dress up, and there will be a post-apocalyptic photo both set up, as well as themed snacks, such as Fancy Lad Snack Cakes and Irradiated Wasteland Cookies.
“It’s going to be fun,” Spragg said. “I just want everyone to know about all of the cool artists we have in Morgantown.”
- The Fallout exhibit and concert is set for Saturday at 123 Pleasant Street. The art show begins at 8 p.m., with music at 10 p.m. Cost is $8.
18 and older show. Info: 123pleasantstreet.com.
