The Outer Worlds 2 Has One of Fallout's Best World-Building…

While getting a full trailer and a release date for The Outer Worlds 2 was exciting, the Xbox Showcase deep dive was even more interesting, as plenty was revealed about the game’s different features and systems. This went a long way in showing how The Outer Worlds 2 has evolved from its predecessor, with just one example being the radio that will be very familiar to fans of an iconic franchise.

The addition of radio stations in The Outer Worlds 2 is a feature clearly inspired by the Fallout games, with one of the best uses of radios in Fallout being seen in Fallout: New Vegas, which was also developed by Obsidian. The radio stations in Fallout play genre-savvy music, create immersive atmospheres, provide lore, and add a layer of storytelling unique to that series. With The Outer Worlds 2, Obsidian could take Fallout's radio even further, evolving it to fit the studio's narrative style and universe while expanding the role radios play in worldbuilding and the player experience.

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By Ritwik Mitra

How Fallout Uses Its Radio

Since Fallout 3, the radio has been a staple that defines the series’ identity, and it soared to new heights in Fallout: New Vegas. Stations like Galaxy News Radio, Radio New Vegas, and Diamond City Radio mix classic mid-20th-century music with DJ commentary, news bulletins, and advertisements. The radio broadcasts reflect the post-apocalyptic society that players traverse, making the world feel lived-in and dynamic. Fallout's radio charm lies in its blend of storytelling and ambiance. The stations respond to game events and player actions, and often provide clues or side content, which has become essential in Fallout for worldbuilding and immersion.

It's unclear how exactly the radio will be used in The Outer Worlds 2, though it is possible to speculate based on current info. Obsidian is clearly drawing from this Fallout tradition, but will likely tailor it to suit The Outer Worlds 2, a satirical sci-fi setting with distinct factions competing for control. The new radio system is designed around three faction-specific stations representing The Protectorate, Auntie’s Choice, and The Order of the Ascendant, and each will spin the player's actions to suit their agendas. Each station offers around 20 original songs that capture the faction’s personality and ideology, blending music with propaganda, announcements, and humorous jingles.

How The Outer Worlds 2 Could Expand Fallout's Radio

While the announced features already highlight some exciting things for the radio to prevent it from becoming repetitive, there’s room for more uses that could take The Outer Worlds 2’s worldbuilding and gameplay further. Possibilities include:

Quest Integration: Radio broadcasts could drop subtle hints or direct leads for side quests and world events, encouraging players to tune in regularly and pay attention to the evolving broadcasts. Each Arcadia faction could give hints for quests that benefit them, while hurting the other factions. This method keeps the radio relevant beyond giving the world flavor.
Reflect Player Actions: Expanding the dynamic nature of the radio, player actions could directly shape new songs, commercials, or propaganda jingles. For instance, if a player moves against an Arcadia faction, the defeated station might broadcast defeatist or angry messages, while its rival stations ramp up celebratory content.
Including Familiar Characters and Companions: Incorporating voices or references to companions and notable NPCs in radio segments could create emotional ties and make the world feel even more reactive and personal. This would need to be carefully implemented, so that live segments with companions don’t broadcast while said companion is with the player, although reacting to prerecorded shows could also work.
Worldbuilding: More varied stations tuned to specific planets or sectors could offer deeper lore and cultural flavor. For example, including a pirate-run station with underground music or a corporate-run channel with advertisements for in-universe products would be immersive and a great worldbuilding tool.