For the Van Buren character, see Arcade Gannon (Van Buren).

Arcade Israel Gannon[1] (born 2246)[1] was a member of the Followers of the Apocalypse and possible companion in 2281. Arcade is currently researching the potential medicinal uses of naturally occurring compounds in the Mojave Wasteland for the chapter residing in Freeside's Old Mormon Fort. Research into the project is slow going, as Arcade considers many of the avenues "fantastic improbabilities" but is enthusiastic about helping people regardless.[2] However, if someone were to come to him with a more pressing issue, he would step away from his research to help with more pressing matters.

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Background Edit

Arcade Gannon is the son of an Enclave officer,[3] born in Navarro in 2246,[4][5] four years after the destruction of Control Station Enclave.[4] His father died while Arcade was still an infant, killed in combat on an away mission; to this day, the specifics of his father's death are unknown to him.[6] As he grew up, he bonded closely with his mother and his surrogate family, the Enclave Remnants, a group that had formerly served in the same unit as his father. In the wake of the NCR's sacking of Navarro, the group fled the area and attempted to integrate into civilian life, but this was short-lived. Between the Republic and the Brotherhood of Steel both launching aggressive campaigns to track down all personnel that had not already been killed or detained during the siege, the Remnants were forced to retreat further into the eastern territories.

They eventually settled in the Mojave Wasteland and started new lives, their past associations kept secret for fear of further reprisals. Gannon joined the Followers of the Apocalypse to find a peaceful application for his skills and began working in Freeside. Though he's attempted to put the past behind him, he continues to dwell on the shared experiences of his family and his father's old unit, hoping that someday he can repay the Remnants for their unwavering loyalty to both him and his mother. Gannon trained as a doctor with the Followers in the NCR.[7] He prefers research to healing because he is "not good with people."[8][9] In his spare time he reads "Pre-War books about failed socioeconomic policies".[4] Gannon speaks fluent Latin, although he is quick to assure the Courier that it was not a skill he picked up from Caesar's Legion.[10]

Personality Edit

Arcade is highly intelligent, personable, and quick-witted. He sports a strong self-deprecating sense of humor, which he frequently uses to deflect questions of a personal nature. He shares the idealism of the Followers, but he also tries to be more pragmatic than some of his colleagues. He understands the post-apocalyptic world is one in which sometimes people just have to be killed, but if something is failing it will fail on its own.[11]

He has a deep-seated desire to affect societal change on a broad spectrum, but he is only too familiar with what can happen when ideals become more important than the needs of individuals. This has led him to take a more balanced approach to the troubles of the post-war landscape, taking up the Followers' cause to help those around him achieve independence, assisting in the effort to make the less fortunate communities become more self-reliant. Though he may concede that the NCR's motives are in some ways similar, it's likely that he sees their 'clean up' efforts as distressingly corollary to what he offhandedly describes as the 'fascist' tactics of the Enclave.[12]

Arcade is strongly averse to groups he views as fascist and imperialist, such as the New California Republic and especially Caesar's Legion.[13][14] Arcade feelings on Caesar's Legion are by far the strongest, viewing Caesar as a regressive megalomanic that's re-creating the past instead of creating anything new.[15]

Relationships Edit

Forced to conceal his past for fear of NCR persecution, he has a desire for companionship from someone he knows he can trust. While he admits to having had many men in his life, he says "lovers make poor confidantes."[16]

Arcade's mother has recently died,[16] so the only people he remains close to are the Enclave remnants, whom he sees as an extended family, though they've grown distant from each other over the years. His closest bond is with Daisy Whitman, who he describes as being "the only woman in his life" after the death of his mother.[16] His other experiences with the remnants vary. Memories of Judah Kreger are of him keeping the remnants together, an astonishing feat considering Cannibal Johnson and Orion Moreno's hostility, and how Kreger was always kind and welcoming to him but never getting too close. Arcade believe it was more of a sense of loyalty to his father.[17] Arcade's memories of the other members are weak, but of Moreno, he remembers his unwavering loyalty to the Enclave,[18] and of Cannibal Johnson he remembers his subversion of orders and him praising his father entirely and further comparing Arcade to him.[19]

By far the most affecting memories Arcade has are of his father Mark Gannon. From the praise he's heard from all members of the remnants, he feels conflicted about his lot in life and how well he's lived up to the example his father set. Despite doing a great deal of good for people in Freeside, he still worries about whether or not the path he's taken is one his father could be proud of.[20] Arcade still keeps his father's personal suit of power armor, should the need arise for it,[21] but is at a crossroads between following his father's footsteps with the remnants or forging his own path he's personally proud of.[22]

Interactions with the player character Edit

Interactions overview Edit

Recruiting as companion Edit

There are several ways for the Courier to recruit Arcade. In each case, assuming the requirements are met, they just need to talk to him, exploring the dialogue options until some variant of "Why don't you come with me?" shows up. He will agree if any of the following are true:

The Courier has a high reputation with the Followers.

The Courier has successfully completed High Times and given Julie Farkas the needed medical supplies. Note that for this approach, the Courier needs to first ask, "Do you need any help?" after which Arcade will thank the Courier for their work for the Followers and a "join me" option will appear.

The Courier can pass a Speech check of 75.

The Courier has the Confirmed Bachelor perk.

If the Courier has an Intelligence of 3 or lower while speaking with him, Arcade will take pity on them. Temporary Intelligence-reduction effects can be useful in this situation, for the Courier who cannot pass any of the other checks.

Similar to Craig Boone, if the Courier acquires some positive Caesar's Legion reputation, Arcade will refuse to join them. The Courier can wear NCR faction armor, and talk to him again. It will temporarily bypass the faction check, and allow him to join them. However, unlike some of the other companions who are associated with their respective faction, having a negative reputation with the Followers of the Apocalypse does not affect the ability to recruit Arcade.



Quests Edit

Other interactions Edit

When recruiting Arcade with ED-E or Rex as a companion he will make a comment on either of them.

Wearing a Legion outfit before recruiting Gannon and trying to activate conversation with is impossible as he will refuse to talk to the player character, stating he is only willing to talk after saying "take off that ridiculous Legion uniform. It's insulting."

When putting Nuka-Cola in Arcade's inventory, Arcade will eventually drink the Nuka-Cola leaving only empty bottles and bottle caps.

Arcade will comment on many quest events as the player character finds or completes them, such as when Vulpes Inculta gives the player character the Mark of Caesar commenting that Vulpes is the Legion's "most notorious" spy, when being asked to plant a bug in the Lucky 38 by Emily Ortal, or activating ARCHIMEDES II.

As a member of the Followers of the Apocalypse, Arcade is recognized all over the wasteland. When traveling with Arcade: The citizens of Freeside will often say "Howdy, Arcade." and will sometimes state that they are surprised to see that he is outside the fort, as they thought that "those scientist types liked to stay indoors." Members of Caesar's Legion will express their disbelief that a Follower had the courage to step out of Freeside. Powder Gangers and escaped convicts will speak of him in a derogatory manner, calling Arcade "four eyes." NCR citizens will berate the Courier for keeping company with "anarchist cultists" instead of "civilized persons." Great Khans will say "I haven't seen a Follower around here in years." The Kings gang members will comment "I see you've hired a Follower doctor. Smart move, with Freeside being what it is."



Making him quit Edit

Arcade will get fed up with the Courier if they do or say things that he dislikes. He has an internal counter of "dislike" points that are increased by doing or saying stupid or mean things or doing things that hurt the Followers. Once he has accumulated 3 "dislike" points, he will warn the Courier that they are "acting crazy." Most of these possible "dislike" points may be obtained during The White Wash quest. At 6 points, he will leave permanently. He also tracks "like" points, but those are only used to decide if he will start the For Auld Lang Syne quest early or not.

The "dislike" points are triggered by the following statements or actions:

Relating to The White Wash quest: 1 point for saying "Right. The Followers don't endorse his actions, and all that." when Arcade comments on Anderson, when visiting Westside after already having completed The White Wash without Arcade. 1 point for saying "They profit from crime, now I profit, too." when Arcade chastises the Courier if they finished the quest by extorting money from the Westside Co-op. 2 points for saying "Anderson killed White. He deserved to pay for what he did." when Arcade challenges the Courier if they finished the quest by killing Anderson. 1 point for saying "What's done is done." when Arcade challenges the Courier if they finished the quest by killing Anderson. 1 point for saying "You're assuming a motive without evidence. Please be rational." (which requires Intelligence 7), followed by "It was either this or spend the rest of his life in an NCR chain gang." when Arcade challenges the Courier, if they finished the quest by killing Anderson.

During the first visit to The Fort with Arcade along: 2 points for saying "With how messed up New Vegas is, do you really think Caesar has nothing to offer?" followed by "Yes, that's exactly what I'm suggesting." when Arcade asks why they are there. 1 point for saying "He seemed smart to me." after meeting Caesar for the first time when Arcade is a companion.

After speaking to Thomas Hildern (any conversation that ends with "Yes...Goodbye" or "Wrong turn?...") with Arcade (one time) he will talk about Hildern's motives. 1 point for saying "But in the end, doesn't it all just come down to numbers anyway?"

1 point for murdering non-hostile innocents. (Dislike is not raised until Arcade comments negatively.)

Arcade will leave immediately and permanently if any of the following happens:

The Courier responds to one of his challenges with some variation of "If you don't like it, leave."

They enter the Legate's camp in preparation to help Caesar attack Hoover Dam.

Convincing the Remnants to support Caesar's Legion during the For Auld Lang Syne quest.

Activating Archimedes I. (Diverting power to Archimedes II is not a problem.)

Reporting back to Caesar after assassinating Kimball. He will leave regardless of the Courier's preparation to move on to the final mission. He will stay as long as the quest is unfinished.

Endings Edit

Inventory Edit

* Only worn if fighting at Hoover Dam.

** Because Arcade's Plasma Defender uses magical companion ammo instead of energy cells, it does not have the -2 DT effect that comes from using standard energy ammunition. Otherwise, the weapon has the same statistics as the standard version.

Notes Edit

Arcade is the most intelligent companion, with an Intelligence of 10, and is the most charismatic companion, with a Charisma of 6.

Arcade is noticeably taller than most non-player characters, as well as the Courier. The only characters taller than Arcade are The King, Pacer, Jean-Baptiste Cutting and Legate Lanius.

Notable quotes Edit

Appearances Edit

Arcade Gannon appears only in Fallout: New Vegas, but was set to appear in Van Buren, the canceled Fallout 3 by Black Isle Studios (see Arcade Gannon).

Behind the scenes Edit

“ Arcade's conflict is about his identity. He is torn between a sense of loyalty and tradition to his father and adoptive family and a desire to be independent, self-made. He feels caught between generations and cultures and isn't sure who he should be or how, if at all, to use the "legacy" (material and otherwise) left to him by his father. Arcade's endings are intended to reflect that no one is damaged more by reality than the idealist. He does his best to be practical and rational, but there is a strong idealist streak in him/the Followers in general. In some of Arcade's "best" endings (meaning, the circumstances he thought he wanted), he is still somewhat disappointed by how things turned out. In his "worst" endings, he can wind up bitterly disillusioned, brutally murdered, crucified, casually executed and discarded in a ditch, or even defiantly suicidal. Arguably the worst ending is the one in which Arcade is given to Caesar as an enslaved doctor. The existence is so unbearable to him that he does what the historical Arguably the worst ending is the one in which Arcade is given to Caesar as an enslaved doctor. The existence is so unbearable to him that he does what the historical Cato the Younger did at Utica : rather than give Caesar satisfaction, he disembowels himself. Like Cato, Arcade cannot live in a world where everything he tried to resist has come to pass. ” J.E. Sawyer on Formspring

Arcade Gannon was one of several player characters J.E. Sawyer used while playing the Fallout tabletop RPG. As a character, he is also inspired by Sawyer's idealism. [23]

tabletop RPG. As a character, he is also inspired by Sawyer's idealism. When brought to The Fort, Arcade will get upset with the Courier and ask "What's going on? Am I playing Virgil to your Dante?" This is a reference to Dante's Divine Comedy .

. Arcade's worst ending directly mimics the suicide of Cato when Julius Caesar became ruler of Ancient Rome; Cato slipped over while attempting to stab himself, and was forced to disembowel himself to succeed in what he sought; Caesar was unhappy at his death.

If questioned about the Legion's use of Latin, Arcade will respond that "Caesar can cite Cato to suit his purposes." This is a paraphrase of the line "The devil can cite scripture for his purpose," from "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare.

Bugs Edit

Follower-related

Xbox 360 Veronica Santangelo. It is also possible to have Rex, Raul, and Arcade at the same time. [verified]

Veronica Santangelo. It is also possible to have Rex, Raul, and Arcade at the same time. PC Xbox 360 [verified]

PC Playstation 3 Xbox 360 [verified]

PC Playstation 3 Xbox 360 For Auld Lang Syne. He will not display a companion screen and will die in casual mode instead of being knocked unconscious, but will still follow the player. [verified]

For Auld Lang Syne. He will not display a companion screen and will die in casual mode instead of being knocked unconscious, but will still follow the player. Xbox 360 [verified]

Xbox 360 Gannon family Tesla armor, you can follow him out when he is getting his father's armor and then ask him to be your follower again, as many times until it works, you have to pick the option to go back to Freeside as this is the only way he will not be locked in the remnants bunker's command center. [verified]

Gannon family Tesla armor, you can follow him out when he is getting his father's armor and then ask him to be your follower again, as many times until it works, you have to pick the option to go back to Freeside as this is the only way he will not be locked in the remnants bunker's command center. PC Xbox 360 [verified]

Playstation 3 [verified]

Xbox 360 [verified]

PC [verified]

PC Xbox 360 [verified]

Playstation 3 [verified]

Playstation 3 Xbox 360 [verified]

Inventory-related

Xbox 360 [verified]

Playstation 3 [verified]

PC Xbox 360 [verified]

Xbox 360 [verified]

PC GRA ranged weapons. [verified]

GRA ranged weapons. PC [verified]

Xbox 360 Gauss rifle may appear as though they have a full condition, but after a short battle with one or more enemies the weapon will become completely depleted with no warning except an occasional remark from Arcade about needing a new weapon. To further complicate matters, he will likely discard the depleted weapon, making it difficult or impossible to locate and repair. It is highly recommended that the courier saves the game frequently and checks his inventory often when giving Arcade any rare or named weapons.

Gauss rifle may appear as though they have a full condition, but after a short battle with one or more enemies the weapon will become completely depleted with no warning except an occasional remark from Arcade about needing a new weapon. To further complicate matters, he will likely discard the depleted weapon, making it difficult or impossible to locate and repair. It is highly recommended that the courier saves the game frequently and checks his inventory often when giving Arcade any rare or named weapons. PC [verified]

Gallery Edit

References Edit