In a surprising turn of events, Fallout 76 players have seemingly taken their frustrations with recent Xbox studio closures into the virtual world by directing an in-game nuclear bomb at the camp of Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer.
The Fallout 76 game world is known for its radioactive wasteland and the potential threat of nuclear bombs, which can be launched by players and wreak havoc on others’ camps. A Twitter user shared an off-screen image showing a nuclear blast surrounding a camp belonging to “P3,” which is Phil Spencer’s Xbox gamertag.
Speculation suggests that this targeted nuke was a response to Microsoft’s decision to close down four game development studios, including Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, and Alpha Dog. Xbox Game Studios boss Matt Booty discussed the closures, emphasizing the need for “smaller games that give us prestige,” but Phil Spencer has remained silent on the matter, presumably focused on upcoming projects and playing Fallout 76 himself.
The Fallout 76 community’s reaction reflects broader concerns within the gaming industry about the impact of studio closures on developers and their projects. As players await further developments, Fallout 76 continues to evolve with updates and expansions, including a teased expansion of its map.
This incident underscores the unique ways in which gaming communities express themselves and engage with real-world events within virtual environments.
