Fallout 76’s gray market ‘couriers’ fix what Bethesda won’t

polygon.com:

Fallout 76 is the current flagship game in the Fallout franchise, and Bethesda has continued to patch up the holes from its rough launch and regularly adds new content. But as the developers continue onward with expansions like a postapocalyptic Pittsburgh, the game’s communities create their own content and structure. Some players have built private Worlds and run a role-play endeavor, while others have established complex networks for “couriers” to sell high-end items in the game without getting scammed.

There’s nothing new about in-game scams. Many of us who have grown up with games like Runescape can share the terrible tale of being lured into a deal that’s too good to be true, only to find all of our gear and gold gone. Now a profitable scam economy has emerged in Fallout 76, taking advantage of those who play the game on consoles. In response, players have organized to try to stop the scammers, creating a vital volunteer service — but one that is proving to also be a drain on time and emotional investment.

One of the primary goals ofFallout 76 is to obtain high-end legendary gear, which come equipped with special modifiers. A vampiric blade, for instance, will restore health on every hit, while a gun might do more damage to full-health enemies or heal party members every time the weapon crits. These weapons drop randomly from legendary enemies, like the fearsome Scorchbeast Queen, and while there are other ways to purchase them, there’s no way to predict what will be available. You’re always at the mercy of random generation. This sets up a loop — play the game, sell the legendaries you can’t use for caps, and use those caps for creature comforts in the game while farming for more legendaries.

“No one wants caps;