Primm

Primm is an independent settlement in the Mojave Wasteland in 2281.

Background
Before the Great War, Primm was a small resort town sitting on top of the interstate connecting California and Las Vegas. Quickly becoming known as a budget version of the latter, Primm allowed tourists from California to get a taste of the city of sin on the way in or lose what remained of their savings on the way out. The resort had a number of tourist attractions to boost its appeal, including the Vikki and Vance Casino, dedicated to a pair of outlaws who were the southwest answer to Bonnie and Clyde, and the Bison Steve Casino and Hotel, with the Mojave's largest and most rickety rollercoaster, El Diablo.

The town lost much of its appeal after the Great War, as survivors and then wastelanders had other concerns. It developed a small, tightly-knit community over time. In the late 23rd century, as the NCR expanded into the Mojave, it suddenly became a promising trade town, benefiting from the growing traffic to and from New Vegas, both civilian and military. For all who couldn't or wouldn't want to reach New Vegas, it offered a casino, hotel, several shops and a courier waystation. Unlike its neighbor, Nipton, it also had an effective sheriff. All that changed when the prisoners of the NCRCF broke out in late 2281 and started wreaking havoc. A number of convicts broke off from the newly formed Powder Gangers, organized themselves into a gang and stormed Primm, killing the sheriff and his wife in their sleep and taking control of the town.

The residents holed up in the downtrodden Vikki & Vance Casino, resulting in a stalemate. They had enough supplies to last for a while and the convicts couldn't pick them off, but they were in no position to retake the town. Those lucky enough to reach the highway left the town behind. Samuel and Michelle Kerr were two Primm traders who cut their losses and re-established themselves at the 188 trading post.

Over the next month, Primm became a lawless hell under convict control. The former inmates patrol the city and prevent caravans from moving safely up the I-15 to New Vegas. The Bison Steve was turned into impromptu headquarters as the convicts plan to expand and wreck the town even further. The NCR maintains a token outpost at the eastern edge of town, with 1st Company of 5th Army Battalion keeping tabs on the convicts. The town would be a great strategic location in the southern Mojave, especially with the loss of Nipton, but the Company is undermanned and undergunned. A single squad would be enough to tip the scales and allow Lieutenant Hayes to storm the city and take it for the Republic.

Layout
The landscape of Primm is dominated by a few empty ranch homes, the rubble of the town's main streets and storefronts as well as a small NCR camp set up southwest of town. The outpost serves to prevent convicts from pushing further south to the NCR's Mojave outpost as opposed to protecting Primm, which has already fallen to the Powder Gangers.

Most of the intact buildings of Primm are in the eastern section, which is completely surrounded by a metal fence. It is possible to engage the escaped convicts through the fence, but to enter the town proper will require approaching from the western or southern ends.

When approaching the entrance to Primm, the Courier will be greeted by an NCR trooper and warned that the center of town is held by convicts. An overpass outside of the town serves as a barricade. The barricade is held on the west by a squad of NCR troopers, led by Lieutenant Hayes.

The derelict roller coaster runs above and around the Bison Steve Hotel. Several convicts can be found on and around its tracks. Once inside the town, the Courier can access the Bison Steve Hotel, where Deputy Beagle is being held by escaped convicts, or can cross the street to the Vikki and Vance Casino, where the non-hostile citizens of Primm can be found. Either option will enable the Courier to trigger the quest My Kind of Town, given by Deputy Beagle (in the Bison Steve Hotel) or Johnson Nash (in the Vikki and Vance Casino).

In the southeast end of town, there are four houses. Across the street from the Vikki and Vance Casino and the Bison Steve hotel is the Nash residence, which doubles as the Mojave Express. Inside this location, one can find ED-E on the table inside of the Nash residence. Once repaired, the quest ED-E My Love begins.

Outside the Nash residence lies the remains of the fourth courier, Daniel Wyand, along with the fourth courier note. There is a campfire located southwest of the casinos, in the cluster of houses. To the northwest, behind the back wall and in front of the cliff, there is a hollowed-out rock.

East side of highway

 * At the southern end of town, in the first house on the left, a Sunset Sarsaparilla star bottle cap is on top of a bookcase near the radio.
 * A Sunset Sarsaparilla star bottle cap is on a desk in the Bison Steve Hotel ground floor lobby, opposite the elevator doors.
 * The unique .357 Lucky in the Bison Steve Hotel, first floor shop, in a Hard-locked safe behind the counter along with a copy of Tales of a Junktown Jerky Vendor lying on top the safe.
 * In the Primm sheriff's office, there is the unique sheriff's duster (which will disappear when one completes the My Kind of Town quest), a cowboy repeater and a sheriff's hat near the foot of the bed.

Appearances
Primm appears only in Fallout: New Vegas.

Behind the scenes
Primm is based on the real world location Primm, Nevada, with many of the buildings - such as Bison Steve's, El Diablo rollercoaster, and the Vikki & Vance Casino - reflecting real-life equivalents (Buffalo Bill's, Desperado rollercoaster, and Whiskey Pete's, respectively).

Bugs

 * If the New California Republic takes over Primm, some citizens will say that "Primm wimped out and accepted NCR rule." Even if Meyers or Primm Slim is chosen as Primm's sheriff, this line will be spoken from time to time throughout the wasteland and even from Primm residents.
 * The dead courier outside the Mojave Express may not appear, therefore not allowing looting his body for his courier message.
 * The guard that's supposed to greet you may instead be hostile to you, regardless of your reputation or outfit.
 * The sheriff's duster inside the Sheriff's Office will not disappear after the My Kind of Town quest.