In a recent interview with YouTuber TKs-Mantis, former Obsidian creative director Chris Avellone revealed that the studio faced unexpected legal friction regarding the Rorschach Test in Fallout: New Vegas. While players enjoyed the psychological quirk, it ended up causing some minor trouble for the developers.
The Legal Cost of the Rorschach Test in Fallout: New Vegas
When players first arrive at Doc Mitchell's house in Goodsprings, the second step in character creation involves a psychological assessment. This Rorschach Test in Fallout: New Vegas is administered by the doctor, with your answers determining your recommended tag skills. It serves as a clever riff on the GOAT exam from Fallout 3, which itself was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the character creation quiz found in The Elder Scrolls: Arena.
Avellone admitted that both Bethesda and Obsidian assumed the test was public domain, given its creator passed away in 1922. However, a Swiss publisher has maintained a trademark claim on the test for decades. This realization mirrors how the "Happy Birthday" song remains subject to copyright, though Avellone noted he prefers the Metal Gear Solid 5 version.
The legal pressure eventually forced Bethesda to settle the dispute. "We already got in trouble for the Rorschability Test, because we didn't get the trademark for that," Avellone explained. "Those folks came to Bethesda and said we're gonna have a fun lawsuit on our hands, so pony up! You could hear all the groans over at Bethesda. I don't think they realized they should have checked for trademarks—we certainly didn't realize it."
The Legacy of Wild Wasteland Gags
Beyond the legal drama, using the Rorschach Test in Fallout: New Vegas helped foster a culture of legendary community content. One standout example is the "Two Bears High-Fiving" gag, which has become a recurring piece of gaming trivia.
- An early New Vegas mod added this as a possible answer to an ink blot that looked like two bears high-fiving.
- While the original project was removed, author Nehred created another version in 2023.
- The gag was featured via a Wild Wasteland NPC in the Honest Hearts DLC.
- The concept even appeared 15 years after the launch of New Vegas in Avowed.
In Avowed, "Two Bears High-Fiving" exists as an achievement you can earn by summoning one bear to fight another. Despite the trademark hurdles, these creative bits remain some of the most memorable moments in RPG history.
