Editing Fallout (franchise) (section)

=== Power armor ===
[[File:PAX 08 (2837169733).jpg|thumb|A replica of T-45 power armor, which first appears and is prominently featured in ''Fallout 3'']]
Powered combat infantry armor, or power armor, is a type of [[powered exoskeleton]] featured in every game in the ''Fallout'' series. It allows for protection from enemy fire and enables the wearer to carry extremely heavy weapons and other objects with ease. It is considered an iconic part of the ''Fallout'' universe, an effective marketing tool for a faceless protagonist, and a prominent symbol within the game's lore.<ref name=":2"/>

The final design of the power armor in the original ''Fallout'' was created by artist Leonard Boyarsky from a helmet rendering made to showcase "something more detailed to show (on) the cover and in the cinematics" of the game. The design of the helmet and eyepiece was stated by Cain to be partly inspired by the film ''[[The City of Lost Children]]'', with its "tubing and vents" serving as "very inspirational" to the overall aesthetic of the game.<ref>{{cite web|website=Tweak Town|last=Strickland|first=Derek|date=June 9, 2023|title=Tim Cain reveals the books, films, games & real-life influences that inspired the first Fallout|url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/91806/tim-cain-reveals-the-books-films-games-real-life-influences-that-inspired-first-fallout/index.html}}</ref> Leonard Boyarsky stated that he was inspired by the "very industrial...very hardcore mechanical" design of the helmet and "loved it so much" that he revised the initial in-game design of the power armor to reflect the concept art that he had made.<ref>{{cite web|website=YouTube|title=A Chat With Leonard Boyarsky|author=Timothy Cain|date=May 29, 2023|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egh2p8ajb3w}}</ref>

The power armor's recurring appearances in subsequent titles following the acquisition of the ''Fallout'' intellectual property by Bethesda Softworks represents a crucial visual motif used to establish continuity with earlier works in the franchise. Lead art director Istvan Pely stated that the power armor was the first asset developed for ''[[Fallout 3]]'' because the "iconic element of the series...seemed like a great place to start" and was a "useful exercise in finding a balance between staying true to the original game's vibe and introducing a fresh aesthetic for the new game".<ref name=Art/>

In ''Fallout: New Vegas'', power armor is depicted as an equippable form of clothing, similar to other armors, without any unique animations. ''PCGamesN'' reported that some noteworthy fan-created mods introduced aesthetic changes to the game's power armor design to make it seem more imposing and added animations to reflect their weight and heft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Will |date=October 30, 2022 |title=Fallout: New Vegas mod revamps power armour to mirror the older games |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/fallout-new-vegas/mod-power-armour |access-date=July 14, 2023 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Evan Lafleuriel observed that ''New Vegas'' is the only game in the series to eschew the use of power armor to advertise the game, which did not leave a lasting impression in his view.<ref name=":2"/>

In ''[[Fallout 4]]'', power armor is notably more heavily integrated into gameplay, with suits becoming customizable, interactable objects in the game world that the player climbs into rather than typical clothing and requiring fusion cores to use.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Matt|date=November 17, 2015|title=Fallout 4 players are building very cool Power Armor collections|url=https://www.vg247.com/2015/11/17/fallout-4-best-power-armor/|access-date=October 30, 2020|website=VG247}}</ref> The studio initially began a "reimagining" of the classic design during the development of ''Fallout 4'' but created a new and revised design that was "bigger, more imposing, more realistic and fully functional" to create the impression of the power armor feeling less like a suit and more like a vehicle that a player would operate,<ref name=Art>{{cite book|title=The Art of Fallout 4|publisher=Dark Horse Books|author=Bethesda Game Studios|editor=Aaron Walker|url=https://archive.org/details/the-art-of-fallout-4.-official-artbook-libgen.li_202306}}</ref> which resonated with some commentators of ''Fallout 4''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Lafleuriel |first=Erwan |title=Fallout: A Tale of Mutation |publisher=Third Editions |year=2019}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Hernandez|first=Patricia|date=November 12, 2015|title=Fallout 4's Power Armor Is Better Than Ever|url=https://kotaku.com/fallout-4s-power-armor-is-better-than-ever-1742184183|access-date=October 30, 2020|website=[[Kotaku]]|language=en-us}}</ref> In addition, players are capable of creating collections of power armor in concert with the game's base-building features.<ref name=":0" />

====Lore====
Within series lore, it was developed before the Great War by a group of [[United States]] [[defense contractors]] called West Tek in response for the need for a "walking tank" for the United States mechanized cavalry. From 2065 to 2067, several failed prototypes were created, though this research led to the creation of a compact [[Fusion power|fusion]] cell. The fusion cells worsened relations with China, which was already facing an [[energy crisis]] due to over-dependence on [[fossil fuel]]s. China soon invades Alaska, and the Power Armor is deployed in 2067, proving extremely effective in battle. 2077 represents the pinnacle of Power Armor technology, with units capable of cutting a swath through the Chinese forces.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Chris Avellone |url=http://archive.org/details/falloutbiblecomplete |title=Fallout Bible |year=2002}}</ref> Their success on the battlefield ultimately prompts the Great War, a last-ditch [[Nuclear warfare|nuclear exchange]] between America and China later in 2077 that annihilates most of modern civilization, save for irradiated [[Ghoul (Fallout)|ghouls]] and those sheltering in the Vault Network.

The 2019 publication ''Fallout: A Tale of Mutation'' explained that within the context of series lore, the Power Armor represents pre-war [[North America]]n power, since every battle against the Chinese was fought by soldiers wearing the armor. Additionally, it is a reminder of how powerless the United States was to prevent its destruction at the hands of [[nuclear weapon]]s.<ref name=":2"/>

Post-war, Power Armor is most widely used by the [[Brotherhood of Steel]], a cult-like organization that collects and preserves technology.<ref name=":4" />

====Merchandise====
A Power Armor [[figurine]] made by [[Japan]]ese toymaker ThreeZero was released in 2016 for nearly $400 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US|value=400|start_year=2016}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|date=January 23, 2016|title=Fallout 4 14.5 inch power armour figurine costs £279|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-23-fallout-4-14-5-inch-power-armour-figurine-costs-279|access-date=October 30, 2020|website=Eurogamer|language=en}}</ref> A $200 version of ''[[Fallout 76]]'' known as the Power Armor Edition was bundled with a replica Power Armor [[helmet]]. While its appearance was praised as "top notch", aspects such as the paint job and voice box were criticized as "cheap", and the visor as difficult to see through.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Machkovech|first=Sam|date=November 13, 2018|title=We unbox the $200 "power armor" Fallout 76 version so you don't have to|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/11/we-unbox-the-200-power-armor-fallout-76-version-so-you-dont-have-to/|access-date=October 30, 2020|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us}}</ref> While not part of the Power Armor Edition, red "Nuka-Cola" helmets sold at [[GameStop]] were recalled due to mold contamination, said to be part of a "comedy of errors" surrounding the game's release.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gonzalez|first=Oscar|title=Fallout Power Armor helmet recalled due to mold|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/fallout-power-armor-helmet-recalled-due-to-mold/|access-date=October 30, 2020|website=CNET|language=en}}</ref>