KASHY’S SHELTERS
My shelters are an eclectic collection of ideas and techniques, evolving organically in cohesiveness and skill over time. Patient explorations are much more rewarding than rushed visits.
SUMMER CAMP
A disused cellar seems to have become overgrown, bathed in bright green light that comes from nowhere in particular, then re-purposed by some sort of religious group, maybe as an a place for rites, maybe as a getaway, maybe as … who knows? The stone circle has suffered a minor collapse, but it maintains its shape, with a burning cow in the middle. Is it a sacrifice? Or someone’s dinner? Tables near walls display interesting artifacts, the more you look, the more you see. The Summer Camp is a surprise for visitors in every way, and when they start to think about how it might have been built, a mystery too.
Location: Root Cellar Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate+
EDGE STAGE
The Edge Stage pays tribute to the EDGE staging used by Perfume, but obviously in a very modest setting. The concept as built is of a modern entertainment venue, with concrete floors and everything else very plain, ready for performers to set up their concessions and stage their events. At one end, the stage is the feature, with a large screen behind. 3 small stages sit ahead, surrounded by chairs for fans. A mixing bench sits under an equipment room, and cameras dot the catwalks around. At the other end, merch and refreshments are available under silhouettes of the band members. Concessions and silhouettes have been upgraded since the video was made. Watch the video to see the concert.
Location: Soundstage Shelter
Difficulty level: Moderate+
HOME STORE
The Home Store was conceived as an adjunct to a luxury CAMP store, so is a featured entry in the Kristmas Store CAMP. Where the CAMP sells clothing toys and novelties mostly, the home store sells, no surprise, products for the home. From sporting goods to entertainment, food, home appliances, lighting and decoration through to lovely potted plants, every customer not wearing PA can find something just right at The Home Store. As an original shelter, it has not changed much in over 3 years, but somehow hasn’t dated.
Location: Vault Lobby Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate
KONSPIRACY KAVE
The atmosphere is of impenetrable fog that merely reflects white light in a cave with pink glowing rocks in every direction. An alien-themed souvenir shop sits in the middle, as what looks to be flying saucers are buried in the rock walls. Everywhere you look, there is something that suggests aliens, but somehow unconvincingly. If you believe, it’s all evidence. If you don’t, it’s just tourist tat for the gullible. That’s still a pretty big market. Doesn’t explain all the fog and weird light though…. Featured in the video STRONGER
Location: Forbidden Digsite Shelter.
Difficulty level: Advanced
KASHY KASINO
Despite the significantly inadequate build budget of this shelter, or perhaps because of it, I set myself a goal of not using any traditional merging methods - no pressure plates, flamers, traps, or other similar techniques. Instead I wanted to seamlessly merge, including into the structure itself, to achieve some interesting lighting themes and effects. Best seen in the video (only refer to the first half), plasma balls really do sit on the floor, and it seems lighting comes from within columns, walls and floor decor, all without any of those normal merging tactics. Of course, this shelter can be visited in adventure mode, where there is much more to see than is captured in the video. Except George. He isn’t there.
Location: Atlantic City Casino Shelter.
Difficulty level: Advanced
MOTHMANWOMAN MUSEUM
A Mothmanwoman (they lay eggs…. they’re not men) Museum is set within an abandoned mine, presumably to make it spookier for tourists who believe in such things. It has corners to poke around, artifacts to see, living areas to look at, meagre gardens and even a working model of a rocket. Well, it fires and goes through the mine’s roof apparently. A dubious Cafe 420 serves refreshments of all sorts, alongside an adjoining lobby from which to access other shelters. This was an early shelter build for me, dating from the time this shelter was first released into the game. In some ways the build is quite basic, and it mostly uses old resources (having been updated very little since), but still seems to work.
Location: Abandoned Mine Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate
NUKA COLA REGIONAL OFFICE
There seems to be steady supply of Nuka Cola to Appalachia, so although the local factory is out of commission, there must be a supply chain coming from somewhere. Built after the war in the ruins of what might have been an old hotel, Nuka Cola built a regional office, complete with grand foyer and tasting room downstairs (open to the non-existent public), and meeting rooms and offices upstairs. Retaining it’s original red brick structure, the front of the building is elegantly curved, while 1/2 width windows describe one corner. Advertising panels are illuminated, despite night time never coming to this area for reasons only Mista Toad or one of his tadpole minions might be able to explain. Really, no night time in an outdoor area… This build dates from when the shelter was released, so not many Nuka Cola related assets are used, which probably helps to keep it clean.
Location: Pittsburg Neighbourhood Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate
CLOWN TOWN
An abandoned village has been turned into a circus town by an insane clown intent on destroying as much of the world as possible. The Video tells the story, while showing only a little of the complexity of Clown Town. Separate build items include the waterpark, bowling alley, clown house, haunted house, show square, arcade, tavern, garage, watchtower, prison trailers and clown’s trailer, as well as various concessions and features throughout. There is simply too much to show in video or in photographs - a visit is really the only way to experience Clown Town. Don’t ask how long it took.
Location: Toxic Wasteland Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate+
WHITESPRINGS GYMNASIUM
The members-only gymnasium features a basketball court and a preparation and recuperation area staffed by experts capable of soothing the most painful swelling. A casual dining area overlooks the court, and a premium members lounge is located upstairs, at the end of an elegant corridor. Not everyone has to tough it out in post-apocalyptic squalor. This is an old build,. from the time of the release of the vault atrium shelter. It has been updated a little since in some details, but remains essentially the same. *This shelter is featured in the first part of the video.
Location: Vault Atrium Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate
THE CHURCH OF THE CHILDREN OF ATOM
Directly inspired by Fallout 4, this build portrays the blind allegiance paid to irrational beliefs, simply because that’s what others are doing and as interdependent humans we need to feel like we belong. Worshippers pulse together, having sacrificed up any sense of personal identity or individual thought, paying heed to the charismatic, but nonetheless manipulative leader who only seeks to profit from them. Sound familiar? *My apologies, although the theme and many elements remain, the video is old and significant improvements have been made since then. One day I might make a new one. Or not. Probably not. Also featured in the video MERE ANARCHY
Location: Missile Silo Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate
MILITARY BASE
Another original shelter dating from when it was first released, the military base has had numerous minor renovations over the years to now have evolved beyond the rather mediocre offering in the video. It contains an entry and office area, a supervisors office, meeting room, dungeons (and some sort of disposal equipment for that, if you know what I mean), a training room and maintenance areas. There seems to be some sort of lore going on here to keep the troops “motivated” but we all know that’s just propaganda intended to have them feel that forfeiting their life for someone else’s benefit in the name of some distorted cause is their destiny. Who’d be that stupid?
Location: Server Room Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate+
WHITESPRINGS FOOTBALL FIELD
Capitalizing on the overwhelming financial success of the Whitesprings members-only gymnasium concept, a second facility was opened to cater for those who like to kick balls. Not lick, kick. Bespoke facilities have been built for members, and some random crap thrown together for visitors, inspired by the building style often seen in Appalachia excused as “immersive”. That’s the opinion of the owners of the establishment, not me. I’m just the messenger here. Overall, the build is quite straightforward in design and technique, and all the more effective for it. *Note - this build is featured in the 2nd part of the video.
Location: Vault Storage Facility Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate
KASHY’S BASEMENT BAR
An old brick basement of an industrial, utilitarian nature has been converted into a popular bar with live music and unusual patrons. The Crash Test Dummies seem to be a regular act, so it’s a quality establishment. As with all my utility rooms, it is also a practical space, with many shelter entries , a fully functional workshop and buff areas. After a moderate renovation, it’s a lot packed into a small area, but surely that’s the way it should be.
Location: Vault Utility Room Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate
RESIDENCE
A well-to-do family has arranged a vault-home around a welcoming open area that substitutes for a garden. Flowers are elegantly displayed throughout, along with various aquatic features to overcome the oppressive cinder block of its construction. 3 bedrooms each have their own themes, and on the other side of the dining area is a lovely office. Of course base elements such as stairs remain utilitarian, but nevertheless the space ends up being a reasonably nice place to be in comparison to common vaults for the common folk.
Location: Vault Quarters Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate
THE DESERT
Conceived and built as a recording set for a yet-to-be made music video, The Desert is spartan, as deprived of hope as it is of water. A rotten barn contains only useless junk, and the farmhouse’s best days, which were not very good anyway, are long gone. The only sign of life is flies. Using probably less that 10% of the budget, this build is as minimalist as minimalist can be, without being nothing. I have kept it unembellished as it’s message is conveyed so perfectly well as it is.
Location: Flatlands Shelter.
Difficulty level: Moderate
