Summary
Fallout 76’s vast Appalachia has some rare encounters that only lucky and observant players will catch, including one tied to a story with a crucial lesson. Easter eggs like this are a great way to reward players who like to pay extra attention to their surroundings, so it’s nice to see Bethesda include tiny things like this in the game. It’s also nice to see anyextra details added toFallout 76, which initially struggled to make its world feel full and interesting.
This particular Easter egg references an old story with which players likely have at least a passing familiarity. Though some will at least recognize the name, they may not know or remember the full story or the meaning behind it. However, it is a perfect lesson to put in a video game, given some of the issues with the industry.
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Fallout 76 Includes An Eyebot Leading Rats Through The Wasteland
This Is A Random Encounter Players Must Stumble Upon
Throughout theFalloutgames, players have encountered tiny floating robots known as Eyebots. One of these Eyebots fromFallout: New Vegas, ED-E, can even join the player as a companion. Players exploring Appalachia inFallout 76can happen upon a very unique Eyebot with some strange traveling companions. Discovered by Reddit userZularscept_D_Astar, upon seeing the Eyebot for the first time, most people are likely confused.
This Eyebot will be immediately apparent due to the loud flute music it plays. If that isn’t enough to draw the player’s attention, therobot is being followed by a shuffling line of large rats. These rats and the robot will leave the player alone, and simply continue on their way across the wasteland.
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Fallout 76’s EyeBot Is A Reference To The Pied Piper Of Hamelin
Like The Eyebot, The Piper Uses Music To Lure Rats
Fallout 76’s flute-playing Eyebot is a pretty clearreference to an old legend,The Pied Piper of Hamelin. According to the legend, the titular piper was a rat catcher who was able to lure rats away with his pipe playing. The piper was contracted by the people of Hamelin to lead the rats from their town with his magic instrument, and in return, they promised to pay him for their services. However, after the piper had led the rats away, the town refused to uphold their end of the bargain and didn’t pay him his wage.
In retaliation for the townsfolk tricking him into doing free labor, the pied piper returned the following night and once again used his magical instrument. However, instead of leading rats away from the village, this time, he lured all of the town’s children. The legend doesn’t say exactly what happens to the children once they’ve been led away, only implying that they never return to their homes. Players familiar with the legend will likely be tickled by this reference, and also wonder if this Eyebot’s flute music could work on anything besides rats.
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The Pied Piper’s Story Is A Cautionary Tale & One The Gaming Industry Needs To Heed
This Story Is The Origin Of The Phrase “Pay The Piper”
The Pied Piper of Hamelinisa cautionary tale about breaking one’s promiseat the end of a deal. This story is the source of the source of the idiom “pay the piper,” which means to make good on a deal or pay someone what they’re owed. It’s a good lesson for anyone to learn and promotes a fair exchange of services. This story is also particularly poignant to see in a video game, given some of the issues that seem to be plaguing the industry.
The video game industry has been under fire for not treating its employees very well. This is especially true during what’s known as “crunch,” whenemployees are asked to work grueling extra hours, often for no additional pay. Understandably, this tends to lead to pretty burned-out workers andeven serious health problems. It seems many of the industry’s big releases are built on the back of many unpaid pipers.
While companies claim that crunch is not mandatory for all workers, many have reported feeling pressured into it, and feel as though their jobs may be in jeopardy if they don’t participate. Video game companies may be able to get away with not paying their pipers for some time, but it’s not hard to imagine that, eventually, the workforce will get fed up with these unreasonable demands.
SAG-AFTRA is also considering a strikeagainst video game companies to address concerns about AI replacing voice actors.
It seems as though the video game industry should be prepared to pay its pipers soon. After all, top-selling games wouldn’t be possible without the many people who put their effort into making them, and they all deserve fair compensation and a meaningful work-life balance.Fallout 76’s Eyebot is a fun Easter egg, but it is also a cautionary one.
