Fallout 3 add-ons

Bethesda Softworks has released four expansion packs as downloadable content (DLC) for Fallout 3. The DLCs were released between January and June 2009, and a fifth is scheduled for late July. The first two add-ons are currently available in retail on disc as part of the first Fallout 3 Game Add-On Pack, with the rest of them forthcoming.

The G.E.C.K., the Fallout 3 editor, was also released in December 2008 for the PC version of the game.

Publication history
Currently, four add-ons have been released (Operation: Anchorage, The Pitt, Broken Steel, Point Lookout) and another one has been announced (Mothership Zeta). Each pack adds new quests, items, perks, and other content to Fallout 3. The latest Fallout 3 patch is required in order to play the add-ons.

The first three add-ons were initially released exclusively as downloadable content on Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live between January and May 2009. They will be made available for PlayStation 3 starting with Operation: Anchorage in late June 2009, followed by The Pitt and Broken Steel four to six weeks apart; the following add-ons will then be released in chronological order with no specific dates set yet.

Operation: Anchorage and The Pitt were released via retail on disc on May 26th, 2009 as Fallout 3 Add-On Game Pack. The retail package costs $19.99 US and includes a Vault Boy poster. The second add-on pack, set to be released in late August 2009, will feature Broken Steel and Point Lookout. According to Bethesda, these add-on packs will only be available for the Xbox 360 and PC versions of the game due.

The PS3 add-ons will be available by downloading it through the Playstation Store or as part of the Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition that is to be released sometime during October 2009 for PC, PS3, and 360; this edition will include all five add-ons packs, and cost $59.99 US for PS3 and 360, and $49.99 US for PC. Mothership Zeta will not be available in any retail version aside from the Game of the Year edition.

Operation: Anchorage


Enter a military simulation and fight in one of the greatest battles of the Fallout universe: the liberation of Anchorage, Alaska from its Chinese invaders.

Operation: Anchorage was released on January 27, 2009 for PC and Xbox 360 and costs 800 Microsoft points ($10 US). While it was expected to be released for PlayStation 3 in late June 2009, it has not yet been released but is thought to be at some point during July.

The Pitt


Journey to the industrial raider town called The Pitt, located in the remains of Pittsburgh, and decide the fate of its inhabitants.

The Pitt was released on March 24, 2009 for PC and Xbox 360 and costs 800 Microsoft points ($10 US). It is announced to be released for PlayStation 3 four to six weeks after the Operation: Anchorage PS3 release in late June.

Broken Steel


Join the ranks of the Brotherhood of Steel and rid the Capital Wasteland of the Enclave once and for all. This add-on continues the adventure past the main quest and raises the level cap from 20 to 30.

Broken Steel was released on May 5, 2009 for PC and XBox 360 and costs 800 Microsoft points ($10 US). It is announced to be released for PlayStation 3 eight to twelve weeks after the Operation: Anchorage PS3 release in late June.

Point Lookout


Travel to Point Lookout and explore the Fallout equivalent of Point Lookout State Park, a swampland area outside the Capital Wasteland which, although not having been hit directly by the bombs, the world has left behind.

Point Lookout was released on June 23, 2009 for Xbox 360 and PC. The PlayStation 3 version is to be released after the first three add-ons have been released. The add-on costs 800 Microsoft points or $9.99.

Mothership Zeta
Mothership Zeta will be the fifth add-on, to be released in late July 2009 for the Xbox 360 and Games for Windows Live. The PlayStation 3 version is to be released after the Point Lookout PS3 release. The add-on will cost 800 Microsoft points or $9.99.

In Mothership Zeta, the Extra-Terrestrials have tracked down the distress signal sent from Recon Craft Theta at the Alien Crash Site. The player will encounter these aliens and be abducted aboard their mothership.

Playing offline
Important note: Before following the steps, set your Windows search function to search "hidden folders". Otherwise, you will not able to find the folders you need. A safer alternative is by simply open the "Run" application and copy & paste the paths below to directly send you to the folders.

While Games for Windows Live requires you to be online to in order to play DLC packs, you can find the DLC files (a main .bsa, a sounds .bsa, and an .esm) in the following folder:
 * (Windows XP)
 * (Windows Vista & Windows 7)

If you move them to your  folder, you will be able to play the DLC without activating Games for Windows Live.

Remember to load through the Fallout 3 launcher then click on "Data Files" and check the box next to "Anchorage" before running the game. Keep in mind that this workaround is not officially supported.

XBOX 360:                                                                                                                                                 In case you need to go offline and want to play fallout 3 and include your DLC packs you MUST be online while you load your saved game with included DLC. Once you actually get into the game itself you can disconnect at any time and still have your DLC loaded (Tested/Confirmed on two Bethesda games: Fallout 3 and Oblivion)