World's most hardcore Fallout fans found!

For anything, there are different layers of fans. Take ice cream for example. Some people are 'fans' of ice cream. They like to eat it every once in a while.

Then there are people who are really fans of ice cream. They might plan weekends around eating more ice cream. They might have favorite dishes -- such as bowls -- in which they eat ice cream.

And then there are like the fan's fan fans of ice cream. Guess what -- they LOVE ice cream. They have dreams of opening up ice cream stores. Every day they go online and research new exotic flavors of ice cream, like Burmese Chocolate Corn Twist, and Ivory Coast Triple Plus Vanilla. 

If ice cream was Fallout, than perhaps the fan's fan fans of Fallout would be the Fallout Rangers. They are run by a guy named Bob, who is a self-confessed "hardcore Fallout fan."

What is this group all about? Well they play Fallout -- but not on a meager computer -- in real life! Yes, that's right. In real life. In other words, they dress up pretend they are Fallout dudes and go around shooting each other. You might wonder: is there more to it than that? Well of course there is more to it than that.

The Fallout Rangers are based in Greece, and they are either Airsofters or L.A.R.P'ers, depending on who you ask. If you have no idea what I just wrote, keep reading. 'Airsoft' is currently described in Wikipedia as "the sexiest game, based around combat, which has similarities with paintball." The basic difference is instead of paintball guns, airsoft'ers use realistic looking, semi-automatic BB guns to shoot each other with. L.A.R.P stands for 'Live Action Role Player.' Basically, a LARP'er does what kids did before the invention of video games: they pretend they are characters from stories and play games with each other in make-believe worlds.

If you mixed LARPing with Airsoft and love for the Fallout universe, you have the The Fallout Rangers. They are organizing a giant game called Wasteland 2 that'll be happening in at the end of October. It'll take place in this old, abandoned 400 room hotel, and each person playing the game will take on a role from one of four teams: the Vault Dwellers, Mutants, Enclave or Raiders. Besides shooting each other with BB guns, players will also pretend to be legendary characters from Fallout and Fallout 2, such as Myron the Jet-making criminal nerd, and Dick Richardson, combing-over extraordinaire and President of the free world. 

Up against the Fallout Rangers is of course, the Enclave. (If you are a Fallout fan, you'll probably enjoy their website check it out.)

Here is an explanation of Wasteland 2 from "Just Jack" posted on my favorite Fallout site, home of the hardcore fan, No Mutants Allowed:

Hi guys,

"I'm a member of the Fallout Rangers, and it is an honor to post here. As Fallout fans, we have been lurking at NMA for years, but having nothing constructive to add to the conversation, didn't. We have also been mooching stuff from NMA for years. To Brother None then, a solemn bow of respect from all Fallout Rangers (grovel)

Many things in life are just Live Action Role Playing - in the end, it's a very crucial part of our society in a broader sense. This particular LARP, Wasteland, is our way of our expressing concern at the choices we are making as a society and species. It may very well turn out that "Fallout" is as prophetic as Orwell, sad to say.

In any case, we are indeed airsoft fanatics, and many of the group are Fallout fanatics as well. This game will have 80 participants from all over Greece, because we are not set up to handle more. (We debated going international in the beginning but were afraid to do so. )

Amateur actors will play the roles of Set (who we had survive the events of Necropolis), BOS paladins in full plate armor, Dick Richardson, Valerie (because the guy who was to play Vic had an accident), Marcus, Aunty Entity from Mad Max 3, Myron (the actor looks and sounds exactly like him), and others.

Numerous props will be in place, including the GECK, water chip, Jet, Rad Away, Nuka Cola, microfusion cells, and others. Also one robot, if I can get the (insert adjective of choice) thing to work.

Gameplay will be nonlinear, just like the PC game. Players will have the options to shoot, sneak, or negotiate to complete quests. We are picking up after the events of Wasteland 1. Next year, Wasteland 3 will be international."

This group of double-hardcore Fallout fans made some really awesome props for their Wasteland event.

Check out this poster. I assume they'll print it out and post it around the hotel they will be playing in:

And even a home made G.E.C.K kit! Well made. Well done:

Here a dude from the Enclave is keeping it real:

And here is someone looking up:

If you had any doubt before, you shouldn't have any anymore on one thing: Fallout 1 & 2 were awesome. Not many games inspire people to this level of ... devotion and interest, as displayed by the Fallout Rangers.