Van Buren (video game)

Van Buren was the codename for Black Isle Studios' planned sequel to Fallout 2, intended to be Fallout 3. Development began in 2003, but the project was canceled later that year when Black Isle's parent company, Interplay Entertainment, experienced severe financial difficulties and ultimately closed the studio.

The game was designed to be a true sequel to the previous Fallout titles, continuing the post-apocalyptic setting and gameplay style, albeit with advancements in technology and design. Van Buren's storyline centered on the player character, an unjustly imprisoned convict, escaping from a prison facility and becoming embroiled in a larger conspiracy involving pre-War research, advanced technology, and the fate of the Southwestern United States. Key plot elements included a nuclear attack planned to "restart" civilization, various factions vying for control of the region, and the exploration of themes such as morality, technology, and societal rebuilding.

While the game was never officially released, much information about Van Buren is available online through design documents, tech demos, and information released by former Black Isle Studios developers. This information includes details about the game's plot, characters, locations, factions, and gameplay mechanics.

Many of the ideas and concepts developed for Van Buren were later incorporated into Fallout: New Vegas, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, a studio founded by many former Black Isle Studios employees. This unofficial successor is often considered a spiritual successor to Van Buren, reflecting many of its themes, factions, and story elements.