# **Black Isle’s Abandoned Fallout 3 Resurfaces as a Mod: Experience It for Free Now**
Over twenty years ago, Black Isle Studios was developing **Fallout 3**, with the codename **Van Buren**, before the project was eventually scrapped in 2003. Today, thanks to the hard work of committed modders, the game is being revived as **Fallout: Revelation Blues**, an extensive mod for *Fallout: New Vegas*. A new trailer has been released, and players can now access a free demo to taste a glimpse of what might have been.
## **Revelation Blues: Reviving Van Buren**
The **United West Team**, a devoted group of modders, has dedicated their efforts to creating **Fallout: Revelation Blues**, a full conversion mod for *Fallout: New Vegas*. This ambitious project seeks to resurrect many original ideas and concepts from **Van Buren**, the abandoned Fallout 3 by Black Isle Studios.
Interestingly, *Fallout: New Vegas*, developed by **Obsidian Entertainment**, already contains several components from Van Buren, including **Caesar’s Legion**, the **Hoover Dam conflict**, and various factions. This relationship is not coincidental—Obsidian was established by former Black Isle developers, many of whom contributed to the initial Van Buren project.
### **Play the Free Demo**
The first playable demo of **Fallout: Revelation Blues** is now accessible for free on **Nexus Mods**. However, you must own *Fallout: New Vegas* along with all its expansions to play it.
🔗 **Get the demo here**: [Nexus Mods](https://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/91191?tab=description)
## **What’s Included in the Demo?**
The demo takes place in **Burham Springs**, a largely deserted town located above a persistent coal fire. This location draws inspiration from the actual **Centralia mine fire** in Pennsylvania, which has been burning since the 1960s.
According to the game’s lore, the fire was ignited by **NCR soldiers** aiming to flush out **Pulverbandits** following an assault on the Hoover Dam. Unfortunately, the fire resulted in unforeseen consequences, mutating the local wildlife into nightmarish creatures like **Molechs** and **Gehennas**, which are also featured in the forthcoming *Fallout: London* mod.
## **Revelation Blues Is Not the Sole Van Buren Revival**
While **Fallout: Revelation Blues** is bringing Van Buren’s universe to life in the **first-person perspective** of *Fallout: New Vegas*, another initiative, **Project Van Buren**, is adopting a different path. This separate mod intends to recreate the canceled game in the **isometric perspective** of *Fallout 1* and *Fallout 2*, remaining true to the original aspirations of Black Isle Studios.
## **A Must-Experience for Fallout Enthusiasts**
For fans of classic Fallout and those intrigued by what could have been, **Fallout: Revelation Blues** presents a unique chance to explore a forgotten chapter of the franchise. With a free demo now live, there’s no better time to immerse yourself in this ambitious mod and discover the remnants of **Van Buren’s** world.
Will you be checking out **Revelation Blues**? Share your thoughts with us! 🚀