Fallout New Vegas contains seven snow globes scattered across the Mojave — decorative collectibles with no weapon or armour utility. Each depicts a pre-war landmark: Goodsprings, Nellis, the Strip, Jacobstown. Selling them to Jane in Mr. House’s suite yields 2,000 caps apiece and unlocks a Trophy/Achievement.
What the snow globes actually are: the only intact artistic depictions of the pre-war Mojave in the game. Every other representation of the old world is ruins or memory. The snow globes show the landmarks as they appeared before the bombs — Nellis as a functioning Air Force base, the Strip as a genuine entertainment district, Jacobstown when it was a human settlement.
The Goodsprings snow globe is the most affecting: it shows the town exactly as it appears in the game, because Goodsprings survived the war largely intact. The pre-war and post-war versions of the same place are identical, which is the game’s quietest observation about what was saved and what was lost.
Obsidian hid a full alternative history of the Mojave inside a collectible most players sold immediately for caps.
The level of craft hidden in the background of this game is genuinely moving. They made it for someone.
Didn’t realise how much was hidden under the surface. Makes me want to replay it with fresh eyes.