New Partnership with Award-Winning Video Game Publisher Aims to Boost Tourism in W.Va.

The award-winning video game publisher Bethesda Softworks is launching a new online game set in post-nuclear West Virginia, and the West Virginia Tourism Office is partnering with the company to promote both the game and the state.

Gov. Jim Justice said in a news release the West Virginia Tourism Office will collaborate with Bethesda Softworks to create advertising strategies to educate players about West Virginia’s landscape and culture, as well as offer an open invitation to visit the state over the coming months.

“It’s finally time the rest of the world sees what a gem West Virginia is,” said Justice. “For years, I’ve been saying we have it all: beautiful scenery, the best people you could ask for and more. And now, we get to share a piece of that with people all over the world through the unique lens of this video game.”

The game, called Fallout 76, was officially announced in June and is a prequel to the family of Fallout video games that started in the late 90s. All Fallout games are set in post-apocalyptic times with cyberpunk and retro futuristic art and style.

Credit Bethesda Softworks, LLC

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Fallout 76 will be the largest and most ambitious of the Fallout family of games. Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby said in the news release she feels the partnership with Bethesda will be a major benefit to the state.

“Our goal is to welcome each and every one of the game’s players to Almost Heaven,” said Ruby. “Bethesda has been a terrific partner since day one. They’ve really embraced West Virginia and its beauty. We believe this unique partnership has tremendous potential to bring folks to visit the Mountain State.”

Fallout 76 is set to launch in November.