The Commonwealth

The  is what is left of the pre-War state of Massachusetts. While traditionally a Commonwealth in itself, before the Great War Massachusetts was also part of the New England Commonwealth. Most of it is a war-ravaged quagmire of violence and despair like much of the rest of the former United States (and perhaps the rest of the world), but it is also where the mysterious Institute is located.

Organizations
The Institute is likely the descendant of the Massachussetts Institute of Technology. Little is known about Institute other than that the scientists working in the sealed environment of the institute possesses highly advanced technology and technological skills. The Institute has created true AI and is capable of creating convincing androids.

Another organization active in the Commonwealth, the Railroad, functions in direct opposition to the Institute, as their goal is to free sentient androids from their creators.

Harkness, Dr. Zimmer and Armitage are from the Commonwealth.

During the events of Broken Steel, Dr. Li leaves the Capital Wasteland on a trip to the Commonwealth, apparently to clear her head after the final activation of Project Purity.

Appearances
The  is only mentioned in Fallout 3. According to Emil Pagliarulo, there are no current plans to visit it in Fallout 3 DLC.

Related quests

 * The Replicated Man