Episode 15: How to make a region map in the style of a Pip Boy from Fallout (Tutorial)

By Matthew Caron

September 27, 2025

I show you how to make a map in the style of a Pip-Boy for your Fallout RPG, then talk about a Fallout-based conspiracy theory.

Timecodes:

00:00 - Opening Credits
00:09 - Introduction
00:30 - Reference document
02:20 - Base map creation
14:43 - Collecting graphical assets
15:39 - Adding things to the map in GIMP
15:58 - Cropping to size
17:37 - Adding Diamond City
21:14 - Adding scanlines
23:48 - Adding Vault 95
25:51 - Adding more locations
32:00 - Wrapping up, saving and exporting our map
33:17 - Recommendation / conspiracy theory
39:55 - End credits

Previous episode on maps: https://www.joyofnerding.com/episodes/9_master_of_realms_maps/

Pip-Boy: https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Pip-Boy

Fallout RPG: https://modiphius.us/collections/fallout-the-roleplaying-game

Fallout 4 Style Map Creator Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QiLwFYTwWnkj0SNp6uTPuZ0Yn82wZhO3QmyaN6j3qVY

SVG file format: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SVG

PNG file format: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNG

G.E.C.K.: https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/G.E.C.K.

Colt’s Manufacturing Company: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt's_Manufacturing_Company

Winchester Repeating Arms: https://www.winchesterguns.com/

Boston Baked Beans: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_baked_beans

Toll Booth Willie (VERY NSFW!): https://adamsandler.fandom.com/wiki/Toll_Booth_Willie

Worcester: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worcester,_Massachusetts

Hartford: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford,_Connecticut - A note on this - It was actually named Hartford in honor of Hertford, England.

New Haven: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Haven,_Connecticut

XCF File format: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XCF_(file_format)

Bill Clinton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton

Hillary Clinton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton

Chelsea Clinton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Clinton

Fallout: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallout_(video_game)

Wargames: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086567/

War Dialer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardialing - A note on this - it looks like the name was changed as a result of the movie, but programs for this existed before the release of the film. See the Etymology section of the Wikipedia entry.

NORAD Mountain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheyenne_Mountain_Complex

Mount Weather: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Weather_Emergency_Operations_Center

Crystal Peak: https://terminator.fandom.com/wiki/Crystal_Peak

White House bowling alley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_basement

Recommendation: Timcast: US Elites Built UNDERGROUND Bunkers Preparing For DOOMSDAY Scenario: https://rumble.com/v6stmvh-us-elites-built-underground-bunkers-preparing-for-doomsday-scenario.html