Should the laser weapons in Fallout have recoil?

Authors

  • Jake MORRIS University of Leicester
  • Conor APPLETON University of Leicester

Keywords:

Computer game, Physics, Mechanics, Recoil, Lasers, Power-Energy, Fallout

Abstract

The post-apocalyptic world of the Fallout series features a wide variety of technologically advanced weaponry, including laser weapons. This paper aims to establish whether or not these weapons should recoil upon firing as they do in the game. This will be done via two methods, the first of which is based off in-game damage values and comparison to the real-life counterparts of the in-game ballistic weaponry. The other method is through the determination of the vaporisation energy of the largest creature it is capable of disintegrating. It was determined that the laser weapons should not have perceivable recoil based upon their in-game damage. However, when considering their ability to disintegrate targets, the recoil was calculated to be of such large magnitude that the weapons would be unusable.

References

Tipler, P. & Mosca, G. (2008). Physics for scientists and engineers. New York: W.H. Freeman.

MrSmartDonkeyLP (2018). Weapons of the Wasteland: Laser Pistol - A Fallout 4 Weapon Customization/Mods Guide! YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm5KjGF1YnI [Accessed 21st March 2018].

Fallout Wiki (2018a). Laser gun. Available at: http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Laser_gun [Accessed 7th March 2018].

Fallout Wiki (2018b). .44 pistol. Available at: http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/.44_pistol [Accessed 8th March 2018].

Buffalo Bore Ammunition (2018). Heavy .44 Magnum +P+ Pistol & Handgun Ammunition. Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business. Available at: https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=54 [Accessed 8th March 2018].

Stylianidis, N., Adefioye-Giwa, O. & Thornly, Z. (2013). Complete Vaporisation of a Human Body. Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics, 2(1), pp. 1-3.

Fallout Wiki (2018c). Institute super mutant. Available at: http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Institute_super_mutant [Accessed 7th March 2018].

Fallout Wiki (2018d). Super mutant (Fallout: New Vegas). Available at: http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Super_mutant_(Fallout:_New_Vegas) [Accessed 7th March 2018].

Downloads

Published

11.04.2018

How to Cite

MORRIS, J., & APPLETON, C. (2018). Should the laser weapons in Fallout have recoil?. Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics, 7. Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/jist/article/view/2715

Issue

Section

Articles