Summary
There is still a long road to go before the next mainlineFalloutentry. With developer Bethesda busy continuing support forStarfieldandThe Elder Scrolls 6slated as the next major release in its lineup,Fallout 5isn’t currently thought to be ready until at least the late 2020s. Still, the post-apocalyptic series remains popular, and fans are eagerly awaiting eventual word from the studio about its plans for the future of the franchise.
As the conversation and speculation aroundwhatFallout5 will potentially look likecontinues, there are many suggestions for Bethesda to improve and include in the next iteration. One promising possibility is fromFallout 3’s Point Lookout DLC. The expansion has players travel down the Potomac River into the Maryland state park of the same name, where they meet the suave and mysterious Desmond Lockheart, a character whose demeanor and nature make him a prime candidate to appear inFallout 5.
Fallout 5 Should See the Return of Desmond Lockheart
Desmond Lockheart in Fallout 3’s Point Lookout DLC
A major figure in Point Lookout’s main questline, Desmond Lockheart is also one ofFallout’s notable ghouls,whose backstory contains some intriguing series lore. He is an elite British Intelligence Agent, and was part of a Pre-War inner circle with the foreknowledge of and possibly responsible for unleashing the bombs themselves. Desmond actually voluntarily became a ghoul through experimentation in the lead-up to the Great War in order to prolong his life. This likely explains his retention of his hair along with a dapper mustache. More importantly, Desmond has carried on his spy games against former colleagues and rivals alike in the centuries following the War, meeting up with The Lone Wanderer in the DLC and recruiting them for his latest endeavor.
Point Lookout has Desmond squaring off against Professor Calvert, who has turned himself into abrain in a jarand is posing as a god-like figure, “The Transcendent One,” to members of a local tribe. The two are locked in a struggle to outmaneuver each other, with Desmond offering a partnership if the Wanderer assists him in gaining the upper hand. Although players can side with either the Professor or Desmond, the former immediately betrays them and attempts to kill them. If fans ally with Desmond, he mentions that he intends to track down another of his targets, stating that “the great game goes on,” and implying he has further business throughout the Wasteland.
If players have the Contract Killer perk, eliminating Desmond yields an ear, marking him as a “Good” character withinFallout 3’s karma system.
How Fallout 5 Can Have Desmond Lockheart Appear Again
Given his profession and commitment to his goals, it’s clear that Desmond’s work is far from finished. Players could thus easily run into him during the course of the next adventure. Somerumors suggestFallout 5will be set on the West Coast, a more traditional locale for the series compared toFO3’s D.C. area, but really, wherever it goes, there are numerous reasons and ways for Desmond to show up.
Desmond’s resourcefulness and resilience could explain him surviving Point Lookout even if The Lone Wanderer turned against him. His relentless pursuit of his adversaries and the fact that they could be hiding anywhere provide a good avenue for Desmond to be inFallout 5. This might be via either some more hidden references or Easter eggs, or through a string of significant quests similar to Point Lookout. If the latter, the next protagonist could then encounter Desmond, who wishes to enlist their help with his current scheme, resulting in another series of fun spy vs. spy missions.
In a particularly ambitious scenario, Desmond could even become acompanion inFallout 5, although it might be best to keep the aura of intrigue surrounding him intact by limiting the extent of his involvement before he stalks off once again into the Wastes. Still,Fallout 5including Desmond Lockheart and giving players the chance to join him (if only briefly) in his clandestine plans would be an excellent choice, as he is such a unique and captivating character in the world.
