When Bethesda obtained the Fallout IP, long-time fans weren’t sure how their favorite franchise would be interpreted. Many praised the change from isometric to first and third person gameplay. Bethesda’s efforts paid off. They were successful in bringing in console players to the previously pc-only series. However, long-time fans complained about the predictable storyline and changes to the Brotherhood of Steel.
Fallout: New Vegas hoped to appeal to faithful fans. Former developers from Black Isle Studios, who previously worked on the original game, created a new studio: Obsidian. They worked with Bethesda to create a spin-off of the Fallout series. It was released a mere two years after the release of Fallout 3. With such a short development period, the studio was forced to cut content from the final version of the game.
Cut content isn’t uncommon in the game development world. Studios are often forced to cut material for the initial launch but add in the hidden content as DLC, or even include in the game’s sequel. Fans who fell in love with Fallout: New Vegas were successful in finding all of the lost treasures that were not included in the final build. They released all of the information they could find within artbooks or from developer interviews. Others managed to pull files hidden from everyday gamers and release them as mod content.
Are you curious about what was cut from Fallout: New Vegas? The secrets are out. Our list compiles some of the best features that were removed that had the potential to change the game. This list contains massive spoilers for the game and all of its DLC.
25 A Tumbling Group Of Enemies
In Fallout: New Vegas, tumbleweeds are classified as Creatures. Though these are included in the final game, two unique breeds were cut: Wind Brahmin and Radioactive. Wind Brahmin can detect if you try to sneak around them. They have 1000 HP and can be destroyed and is included in almost all creature factions.
Radioactive tumbleweeds were inspired by the real-life growths in Washington, which soak up radioactive attributes in water.
According to designer Sydney Wolfram “We left Tumbly the Tumbleweed in the editor – we just didn’t have the heart to delete him.”
24 Not A Meal For Champions
Fallout 3 and New Vegas introduce an unusual perk that allows players to consume forbidden meat. The perk’s benefits are restoring 25 HP but adds three radiation points and reduces karma levels by one.
“Meat of Champions” is a special perk that is added after consuming the forbidden meat of Caesar, Mr. House, The King, and President Kimball. There was a cut quest that would have extended this act. Instead of targeting three unique NPCs, the Courier would have taken on other NPCs.
23 Careful Of What You’re Carrying
With a country filled with irradiated mutants, Raiders, and hostile robots, you may be wondering how things could get any worse. Pickpockets would have swarmed the little settlement of Freeside. The pickpockets were not fully developed. They only had names and did not yet have voice lines. They were two thieves named “Roger the Codger” and “Bitter Bob” who would have stolen from the Courier. The existence of these criminals would have made you think twice before deciding what items you should keep at home.
22 A New Sheriff In Town
After Primm is taken over by escaped convicts, it’s up to the Courier to save the day. The Courier will be tasked with rescuing Deputy Beagle.
If Beagle was eliminated during the firefight, the Courier would have to choose a new town sheriff.
One of those options is Meyers, who has experience as a former Sheriff. He has the skills necessary to bring Primm back to its former glory. In a cut speech, he would have rallied everyone together. The speech would have inspired both the residents and escaped convicts to live in peace.
21 The Last Survivor Of A Terrible Experiment
Vault 11 had the unfortunate fate of being one of Vault-Tec’s social experiments. Residents were forced to sacrifice one of their own for the greater good. When the Courier enters the Vault, they’ll learn that the five remaining survivors decided to sacrifice themselves all at the same time.
Roy Gottlieb was meant to be the last survivor within Vault 11 before he was removed from the game. It’s unclear if he was used as an announcer for the Vault 11 speaker or if he was planned to be a lone survivor, coming to grips with being the last man standing.
20 Not Everyone Wants To Travel Through Space
In “Come Fly With Me,” Jason Bright and his followers ask the Courier for help to reach the moon. Before it was cut, there was more to this quest. Several ghouls were held captive in the REPCONN facility. Davison could release the prisoners, hand them Stealth Boys, and the group could escape. Davison didn’t consider the ghoul prisoners to be a threat and believed they could have the choice to live in peace in the Mojave or be forced to head to the moon.
19 Take Your Friend’s Advice
Arcade Gannon is a recruitable companion once you become friendly with the Followers of the Apocalypse. The Followers are a peaceful group who wants to help people. They never wish for the Great War to happen again. In cut content, Arcade has something to say about your eyebot companion, ED-E.
Arcade knows the Brotherhood of Steel wants to scrap ED-E to learn more about the unusual eyebot.
Arcade promises he won’t complain if you hand him over, but doesn’t like it, either. He would instead ED-E end up with the Followers, who would use him to help others instead.
18 They Weren’t Always So Hostile
Raiders aren’t the worst group of enemies in the Mojave. Fiends are a sub-faction that are even worse. They’re addicted to the worst substances and immediately hostile when first encountered. Before it was cut, three of the Fiends had voice lines.
Cook-Cook would explain how he got his name. He was an exceptional cook and even offered to prepare a meal for the Courier. Driver Nephi bragged about his weapon and how it’s gotten him out of terrible situations. Violet loved her dogs and became angry if the Courier asks if she’ll sell them one.
17 Mr. House’s Resident Celebrity
Marilyn Monroe was not only a famous actress in the world we know but also in the alternate version of America in the Fallout universe. In Lucky 38’s Presidential Suite, a Securitron was based on Marilyn. There’s little information about her role. When speaking to Veronica, she implies that Marilyn is one of Mr. House’s girlfriends.
The developers originally intended for her to be in the game, but ran into issues with her voice over. J.E. Sawyer stated, “Apparently, there were some errors with her VO that weren’t able to be fixed, so she was cut.”
16 They Wanted A Second Chance
When the Courier first stumbles upon Vicky and Vance casino, they’ll discover it’s taken over by escaped convicts. The innocent residents have barricaded themselves inside to keep safe.
The Courier has to take care of the threat before entering the casino.
The casino initially had a different fate. The residents would have all been eliminated by ex-NCR members. The player could either take out the hostile former soldiers or get the NCR to re-enlist them. It’s unfortunate their redemption arc was removed.
15 Don’t Judge His Hat
Rotface the Ghoul is located near Mick & Ralph’s in Freeside. Since Ghouls live much longer than normal humans, he’s a wealth of information. Most of the dialogue was cut from the game. If the Courier buys ten tips from the Ghoul, he will next appear wearing a fancy cap, which turns out to be Eulogy Jones’ hat from Fallout 3.
If the Courier insulted Rotface’s hat, his responses would have been much ruder. The conversation included discussing other options to use the money for, such as a weapon, giving the money away, leaving Freeside, or joining the Followers.
14 Made Heavy Weapons Worth The Extra Weight
The Big Guns skill was added to Fallout 1 through 3 but unfortunately wasn’t included in New Vegas. The ability would give a bonus to damage and accuracy when using a “big gun,” such as a rocket launcher, minigun, and flamers. Though this skill can’t be chosen in the game, it’s used in various skill checks.
A magazine called “Milsurp Review” would permanently increase the Big Skills was also found in the texture files. In the final version of the game, Small Guns and Big Guns were combined as the single skill “Guns.”
13 A New Vault To Explore
It wouldn’t be a Fallout game without vaults. Vault 74 is a cut region of the game. There was a quest to explore the vault, which was also removed. According to the game files, the vault only had few rooms: the Overseer’s office, a medical clinic, and a large atrium.
The data log suggests that Vault 74 was breached due to a failed power supply at the highest level.
Vault 74 was initially in Fallout 3 as a test vault included with the official G.E.C.K. tutorials. It’s unfortunate the vault wasn’t included with the game.
12 Hire A Companion To Carry That Weight
The Courier never has to travel alone through the Mojave desert. There are several companions to choose from, but one was left out. Betsy the Brahmin was just that, a mutated cow who could carry heavy items. Betsy could be purchased from Kevin Hargrove, her current owner. She had a 600-pound carry limit and was used as mobile storage. Unfortunately, Betsy is useless in battle. She only has 40 HP, which is no more than an ordinary Brahmin. She couldn’t talk but would follow the Courier’s commands. Though ultimately useless as a fighting companion, the extra storage made her worth hiring.
11 Get Revenge On Caesar’s Legion
The Fort is the primary base of Caesar’s Legion. The group has captured several settlers to do their bidding. Siri was one of those trapped settlers, but she had a plan. In a cut quest, she would have worked with the Courier to poison the Legion’s food. The Courier to obtain the remains of a Brahmin. At first, Siri believes this is a trap, but the Courier convinces her that they’re not a friend of the Legion. She eventually agrees and adds the Brahmin remains to the food. It’s unknown if their efforts paid off.
10 A Special NCR Ranger
Fallout’s factions are often separated into groups of humans, robots, and mutants. There may be a Mister Handy roaming around the Brotherhood of Steel’s quarters, but they are used as helpers instead of fighters.
The NCR had a soldier named Chauncey, who was a Super Mutant from the Mariposa region.
Chauncey was stationed at Ranger Station Foxtrot, which is close to Jacobstown. For those unfamiliar with the older games, this town was led by Marcus, one of the Chosen One’s friends. Chauncey had custom clothing and voice lines. Unfortunately, he was cut from the final game.
9 A Giant Lizard Attacks Camp
Camp McCarran was the largest NCR base in the Mojave Wasteland. The developers initially programmed in a fun Easter egg that didn’t make the final build. Gojira, or commonly known as Godzilla, was a giant Fire Gecko monster. It has a unique fire breath that is used to torch any obstacles. It’s not a unique creature, as a new one would respawn after a few days. Gojira would have been the most powerful enemy, with 8000 HP and inflicts 3200 damage per second. Since it has the attributes of a regular Gecko, it could be befriended with the Animal Friend perk.
8 The Mojave Desert’s Resident Adventurer
The Courier spends several long days roaming the Mojave Desert. The Courier isn’t alone on the West Coast. Before he was removed from Fallout: New Vegas, the Wasteland Adventurer would have entertained players on their journey. He was located near Jean Sky Diving.
After speaking to the Courier, the Wasteland Adventurer would begin to patrol the area at night. He also helps the Courier on their journey. He would give them more information about Primm, an ambushed caravan, and Quarry Junction. The Wasteland Adventurer could also perform basic merchant services.
7 Return The Power Of The Sun To The Brotherhood
The Helios One is a solar power plant that generates energy for all the major settlements in the game. The power plant also contains two powerful weapons, the Archimedes I and Archimedes II. At the beginning of the game, the NCR has taken control.
In one ending, the NCR has lost control of Helios One and the Brotherhood of Steel has regained it.
It’s possible for the Brotherhood to reclaim it much sooner. Cut audio files reveal that they set up base at the plant once again. One of the residents claims that the NCR mishandled the powerhouse and they were glad to take it back.
6 Set Trapped Creatures Free
The Thorn was an underground fight club. The Courier could place bets to fight various creatures of the wasteland. They could even be hired to obtain new monsters to spar in the ring. There was formerly a side quest to let the monsters get their revenge on their captors.
In “The Thorn Mayhem,” the Courier sets all of the creatures free to attack the locals. The cut content reveals several screams and the aftermath. NPCs would reveal their sadness at the destruction of The Thorn and the passing of its owner, Red Lucy.
