October 20, 2015 Correction: We made an error yesterday regarding what time the Pip-Boy Editions sold out. Bethesda’s stock of Pip-Boys sold out at around 11:30AM CST, not PST.
Earlier this morning, at around 11:00AM PST, Bethesda Softworks’ online store announced that they had restocked their supply of Pip-Boy Edition pre-order exclusives. Priced at $120 for each supported gaming platform (Xbox One, Playstation 4, and PC), this pre-order edition comes with Fallout 4 itself and the coveted Pip-Boy replica, a wrist-mounted bracer modeled after the in-game device of the same name – that also acts as your inventory and menu screen – that is able to house a smartphone. Combined with an official Pip-Boy mobile app that lets players manage their in-game inventory straight from their smartphone’s touchscreens, the Pip-Boy’s immersive potential understandably brings many Fallout fans to the edge of their seats in anticipation.
The Pip-Boy edition promptly sold out within thirty minutes of its announcement. The order button at the bottom of the page now lists a somber “Add to Wishlist” tag that lets potential buyers do just that.
This isn’t the first wave of Pip-Boy Editions, either. Bethesda initially released these pre-order editions back in June, and again in August. The pre-orders sold out just as quickly as today’s batch both times.
As consolation, however, you can snag yourself this nifty T-shirt featuring one of the series’ recognizable Power Armor helmets, with more merchandise available later this week, such as a Vault Boy messenger bag and a limited edition Art of Fallout 4 art book for sale.
The Pip-Boy’s trademark appearance, along with its ability to interwtine in-and-outside of game interfaces, gives it quite a powerful presence in the land of pre-order bonuses. It does make us question how game developers are experimenting with bringing together external devices and video games themselves, and it does make us ponder if such a nostalgic-looking gizmo – with its oversized knobs and faux cathode ray tube monitor – would be able to hold as much power over avid gamers if it did not have smartphone integration.
It is uncertain whether there will be one last wave of Pip-Boy Editions before Fallout 4 releases on November 10th next month. But that “Add to Wishlist” button gives us a little hope. Keep your eyes and ears open, Wanderer, for you never know what you might find out there in the wasteland.