The players were eager to start. The game had been postponed twice due to bad weather, including flooding from Hurricane Irene, but today was different. It was 78ºF, a perfect fall day at PSI (Paintball Sports International) in New York's Hudson Valley..

Fallout:Buran is a post-apocalyptic airsoft game based the video game series Fallout. To simulate the rarity of weapons, ammunition and technology, all players start the game restricted to semi-only weapons—pistols shotguns, bolt-action rifles and muzzle-loaded AEGs without mags. To gain use of their full-auto weapons, players must barter with the Trading Caravan to upgrade their weapons

The players joined either the Wastelanders or Militia faction. The Wastelanders were survivors and raiders that formed a loose band against the Militia, the paramilitary army of the Hudson Union. Against them both, a lone operative of the Brotherhood of Steel (BoS).

Each faction started out with empty mags and were issued 1000rnds of Matrix BBs supplied by the Game Manager (GM.) Hidden in the field were additional bags of BBs and Supply Boxes. The objective of the game was to collect the most boxes.

Each player was issued four bottle caps, which were the primary form of currency in the game. The caps could be used to buy additional BBs or bonus weapons (Thunder B grenades) or Power Armor, which would allow a player to soak up 3 BB hits of damage before being taken out. Additional caps were hidden in the field or could be looted from enemy players during their 3-minute bleedout time.

During the game, updates and new mission 'Quests' were announced over FRS radio in the form of "Fallout Radio" broadcasts. Players were given clues to locations of boxes and mission objectives. The GM also walked the field as the 'Trade Caravan' playing Fallout style 1950's and early 1960's pop-music on a portable loadspeaker.

Phase 1: Salvage
News of a discovery of pre-war arms cache in the Hudon valley has spread through the wasteland. Mercs, prospectors and a Militia clan have sent units into the area to salvage what they can and drive out their rivals.

The Militia took an aggressive stance to compensate for being outnumbered 2:1. Their scouts headed to Delta and picked up boxes while their main force headed to the Lumber Camp but were stopped by Sinner the lone Brotherhood of Steel paladin. The Militia lost over half of their numbers taking him out.

Respawning, the BoS moved to Delta and attacked both factions near the Sunken House. While the bulk of the Wastelander scouts were occupied, Militia survivors of the initial BoS attack snuck past the Lumber Camp to find two boxes at Pete's hut. Mistaking it for the Wastelander HQ, they returned without finding the Wastelander's real base.

Receiving reinforcements, the Wastelanders assembled a large force outside of Barter Town to raid the Militia HQ. Before they could mount an assault, they were thrown off balance by attacks from the BoS and sneak attacks by Wulf and members of the Militia. At the end of the phase, the Militia held a slim lead of 5 boxes vs. the Wastelander's 4 boxes.

The teams assembled at Barter town for the lunch break. The team captains and the GM conferred for a mid-game debrief and play adjustments. At the end of the break, all the players were given back their magazines and in Phase 2 they would be allowed to fire in full-auto.

Phase 2: Buran
The Brotherhood of Steel has fielded prototypes of new “Type:Buran” power armor which is invulnerable to all known weapons. Your faction has sent you to recover supplies and find a way to defeat with the BOS.

The teams were issued a new mission: retrieve two locked weapons cases hidden in the field. Within each case was a "Cryo Pulse Canon", the only weapon that could take out the BoS player's Buran armor. One case was hidden behind wall near the Lumber Camp safety tent. The other was hidden behind a wooden sign labeled "Tunnel #2".

The invulnerable armored Sinner hit both teams hard. The teams eventually formed a strategy of waiting for the BoS to attack the opposing team before attempting to move up and search the field. The Wastelanders superior numbers helped them recover 3 additional boxes and take the lead, though neither of the teams was able to find the weapons cases before the end of the game Phase.

Phase 3: City
The last phase of the game was a fast paced skirmish at PSI's famed "City" MOUT field. Each team was assigned a two-story MOUT building as their HQ and allowed two snipers to occupy the second floor tower. The remaining unclaimed Supply Boxes were hidden in the field and up for grabs.

Injuries and exhaustion took their tool on both teams. In a sign of fair play, Kosak's squad was transferred to the Militia to balance out the factions. After an intense 30-minute firefight, the Wastelanders secured the most boxes in the phase and with it a decisive victory in the game overall.

Prologue:  Prize Time
After  the end of the  game, the players returned  to staging. The teams  opened the sealed Supply  Boxes they recovered  to reveal the game  prizes supplied by Evike.com  and Moondog Industries.  There were Fallout- inspired  random prizes like old  books, a Hawaiian shirt,   computer parts, a CD of Fallout Music, a  bottle of Nuka Cola  and Nuka Quantum soda.

There was also airsoft gear: holsters, gear bags, speed loaders and one lucky Wastlander won a gas pistol. A grand-prize raffle was held for additional airsoft gear using the numbered bottle caps they collected from their kills. The players who didn't win a prize were given Evike barrel condoms and the remaining game BBs, so everyone walked away with something.

But the best prize may be a sense of accomplishment.  The players helped raise money for the Tunnel to Towers foundation in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9-11. All the players said they had a great time playing with other players who appreciated fair play and a good time playing a live version of one of their favorite video  games.