On October 15, 2022, Eric “Ferret” Baudoin, the lead designer of Fallout 76 and many other games, passed away. Every RPG fan probably knows at least one of his quests. Fans mourn the loss, seeing a piece of their childhood fade with him.
Who is the lead designer? Ferret Baudoin, whose real name is actually Eric, had been employed at Bethesda as a senior designer since 2012. There, he recently worked as the lead designer for Fallout 76 and on the upcoming Starfield.
His responsibilities primarily included designing quests that tell the story in role-playing games. He took over the tasks for Fallout 76 mainly after the launch, and his work is particularly praised by players in the Wastelanders update, which is considered a major turning point for the game.
“He worked on so many games I grew up with”
Baudoin had previously worked at BioWare, Obsidian, Black Isle Studios, and Cyberlore. Some of his most notable works include story and quest designs for:
- Fallout 4
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2
- Dragon Age: Origins
- Dragon Age II
- Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Neverwinter Nights 2
The response among fans of the games is enormous. Particularly, Baudoin’s work on Fallout 76 is seen as the reason why the game was ultimately considered good despite initially extremely negative feedback.
Many players grew up with games like Dragon Age. His former colleagues also mourn him. From the former project lead of Fallout 76, Jeff Gardiner, it’s said on Twitter:
I am heartbroken. Ferret Baudoin took on the role of lead designer for Fallout 76 with Wastelanders. An eternal optimist and a good friend. We had lunch together multiple times since I left Bethesda. He will be greatly missed.
Jeff Gardiner, former project lead
Baudoin was the only person Gardiner knew who had played more role-playing games than he himself.
Kenneth Vigue, with whom Baudoin worked on the charity organization “Fallout For Hope,” shared on reddit that Baudoin died due to complications from a cancer surgery. His death came unexpectedly.
Baudoin’s death led to a fundraiser for his survivors. Through BuyMeACoffee, fans can donate money to enable the deceased designer’s children to attend college. Those who are not comfortable with direct donations but still wish to help can also, according to Vigue, donate in Baudoin’s name to the American Cancer Society.
Vigue and Fallout For Hope are currently planning a tribute video for Baudoin, organizing memorials in Fallout 76, and want to hold an obituary at the cosplay event for the 25th anniversary of Fallout on October 22.
