“A water purification control computer system chip. Looks surprisingly like the chip that your Vault needs.”— Fallout in-game description
The Water Chip, also called the water purification control computer system chip, is a piece of technology in Vault-Tec Corporation vaults. The events of Fallout begin after Vault 13's only water chip breaks, and the Vault Dweller is sent out to find a replacement.
Background
The chip is an electronic device that regulates the filtering system of a water purifier and monitors the output for any contamination.[1][2] They are prone to failure, and unless used in a vault with the proper equipment, they are useless.[3][4][5]
Due to a shipping error, Vault 8 received a box of surplus water chips intended for Vault 13, and Vault 13 received Vault 8's second GECK.[6] The chips were packaged in groups of five to a box.[7][8]
Locations
- Vault 12's command center, in a computer.
Behind the scenes
- The blueprint shown in the background of the intro is a schematic diagram for a Theremin. It is sourced from an issue of Radio and Television News from January 1964, found on p.38 in an article about the Theremin by Robert Moog.
- In Fallout 2, the Guardian of Forever special encounter allows the player character to break the water chip and set the events of Fallout in motion.
- For additional real world information about this topic, check out the Independent Fallout Wiki's Real World article.
Gallery
Intro render
This is the computer one wants to search in Vault 12's command center
Water chip in the Fallout Demo
References
- ↑ Kane: "{156}{}{A water chip? Never heard of it, we only sell drinks. Go see Bob's Iguana Bits, if you're hungry.}"
The Vault Dweller: "{157}{}{It's an electronic device that regulates the filtering system of a water purifier and monitors the output for any contamination. Mine's broken and I'm looking for a replacement.}"
(KANE.MSG) - ↑ PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout): "{5500}{}{Water Chip}"
"{5501}{}{A water purification control computer system chip. Looks suprisingly like the chip that your Vault needs.}" - ↑ Vault 101 terminal entries; Vault 101 medical data system, Experiment PP216
- ↑ Vault Dweller: "{104}{}{Do you have a water chip?}"
Martha Rastello: "{112}{}{Water chip... hmm. Oh, those old Vault purifying control chips. Well, I'm sure I speak for the entire town when I say you won't find one here. Without the proper equipment they're worthless. Only a Vault, or maybe Necropolis would have any use for one. Why do you ask?}"
(MSTMERCH.MSG) - ↑ Vault Dweller: "{105}{}{Do you have a water chip?}"
Paul: "{134}{}{A Water Chip? The ones from the old Vault-Tec shelters?}"
The Vault Dweller: "{135}{}{Yes!.. Do you have one?}"
"{136}{}{No. Those things were junk, they were prone to failure. We don’t deal with purifying our own water here. We have water delivered by caravans from the Hub.}"
(PAUL.MSG) - ↑ Vault City central computer: "{241}{}{Cross-reference the GECK shipment information.}"
"{244}{}{Due to a shipping error, it appears Vault 8 received a box of surplus water chips intended for another Vault. The other Vault most likely received Vault 8's second GECK.}"
(VICENCOM.MSG) - ↑ PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2): "{5500}{}{Water Chip}"
"{5501}{}{This is a Vault-Tec water chip. They are typically packaged in groups of five to a box.}" - ↑ Vault 13 Overseer: "{156}{Over_31}{Okey-dokey. One moment, the chip is initializing. Here - here - here - There it goes . . . Self-test is green . . . re-boot is good . . . Hah! It's working! And it looks like we have a winner! Haha! [The overseer sighs with relief.] You -- you've saved us. You've done it!}"
(OVER.MSG)
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