New Vegas Strip

The stage where the courier's choices determine who rules the Mojave.

The New Vegas Strip serves as the central conflict zone where three major factions—the New California Republic, Caesar's Legion, and Mr. House—vie for control of the region. Set in the Mojave Desert in 2281, exactly 204 years after the Great War decimated the United States, this area represents a rare pocket of restored civilization amidst the wasteland. Built from the remnants of Las Vegas, it functions as the economic and political heart of the game's setting. The player, controlling a courier who survived an assassination attempt by mobster Benny, eventually becomes embroiled in the struggle for dominance here.

Quick Facts

Region: Mojave Wasteland
Primary control: Mr. House (Technocratic Dictator)
Security force: Securitron Robots

Lore & Background

History within this region centers on Mr. House, a reclusive businessman who survived the nuclear apocalypse in a life-support chamber. He commands an army of Securitron robots to enforce his technocratic dictatorship over the city. The Platinum Chip, a data storage device created by House containing a program to upgrade his robot army, was intended for delivery during the Great War but remained undelivered until 2281. Mobster Benny intercepted this chip, initiating the game's primary conflict.

While House seeks to maintain control through automation and order, the New California Republic (NCR) views the area as part of its eastward expansion from California, having already taken control of the Hoover Dam which supplies electricity to the Strip. Conversely, Caesar's Legion, a violent totalitarian army inspired by Roman legions, aims to seize the dam for itself. The history here is also shaped by minor factions like the Boomers at Nellis Air Force Base and the Great Khans, whose presence adds layers of tension to the region.

Reader's Guide

Exploration of the Strip is facilitated by the freely explorable open world map, allowing players to move between small settlements and large locations like the city itself. The player utilizes the Pip-Boy 3000 to access items, view character statistics, track active quests, and fast travel to previously discovered locations. Combat involves firearms, energy weapons, melee options, and explosives, with the ability to use the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (VATS) to target specific enemy body parts while pausing the game.

For those seeking higher stakes, Hardcore Mode adds survival mechanics requiring the player to manage food, water, and sleep, while also making companions susceptible to permanent death. The area features dialogue trees where responses depend on stats like Barter or Intelligence; for instance, having 50 points in Barter allows a player to ask shopkeepers for discounts. Reputation is fluid; aiding a faction can lead to rewards, but actions perceived as detrimental may cause that faction to turn hostile.

Did You Know?

The game was developed by Obsidian Entertainment with a development time of only 18 months.
The setting was chosen to evoke 1950s imagery and the post-apocalyptic style of Mad Max.
Six pieces of downloadable content were released, including four story-based add-ons.
The Platinum Chip contains a program capable of upgrading Mr. House's Securitron army.