Bethesda has issued a cease-and-desist order to a fan-made game, tentatively titled Fallout: New York, which was entirely generated using AI tools and playable within a web browser. The creator, Chris First, confirmed receiving the notice from ZeniMax Media, which cited infringement of intellectual property rights, specifically concerning the domain name fallout.nyc.
First explained that he directed AI models, including Claude, to develop the game, emphasizing that it was designed to be "exactly like Fallout" rather than simply inspired by it. The project featured elements such as quests, dialogue trees, VATS, and a functional Pip-Boy, with all assets, including visuals and sound, generated programmatically by code. This approach meant there were no traditional texture or sound files used in its creation.
The game's browser-based nature and AI generation have drawn criticism. Unlike ambitious fan projects such as Fallout: London or Skyblivion, which are noted for their passion, commitment, and extensive volunteer efforts, Fallout: New York has been described as visually unappealing. The use of AI has also been a point of contention, with some observers suggesting that the project's quality is a direct consequence of this methodology.
First had previously humorously suggested on X that Bethesda should create a new Fallout game to satisfy demand, implying that his project was a stopgap measure. However, the company's legal action has effectively ended the development and distribution of Fallout: New York. The author notes that official Fallout titles are readily available and often on sale, providing more polished experiences than the AI-generated fan game.
While there is a perceived long wait for a new mainline Fallout installment, with Fallout 4 having been released in 2015, this AI-generated attempt has been deemed unsuccessful by critics and is now defunct due to legal intervention.