Yes, both are primary targets, for different reasons. But, you are correct in your assessment that exploring a map full of rubble wouldn't be much fun......

Not to mention, that after 200 years, nature would have done a real number on the areas as well, and most of it would have reverted back to what it was originally, in the case of D.C. it would just be swamp.

Wow, now I'm picturing the entire DC part of the Capital Wasteland being like Point Lookout.

I expect BGS to give real world religions a wiiiiide berth in regards to their depiction or parody whilst riding that fine line between entertainment and outrage.

Well I think they have portrayed religion fairly well in Fallout 3 and New Vegas. Rivet City definitely had a Catholic Church, and it was pointed out to me on this thread that Marcella in Point Lookout was also Catholic, even if she didn't say so directly. In Honest Hearts, Joshua Graham and Daniel are definitely Mormons. All of these groups were shown (for the most part) in a positive light, and while not belonging to any particular denomination of Christianity myself, I wouldn't mind seeing a return of the group Marcella belonged to.

I must admit, I also did think we might get more on the Abbey in FO4. We are never told where it is (and I think part of the dialogue trees is she wont tell anyone) but I always figured it was close to the Commonwealth.

Id also find it funny if the faith in the Boston Commonwealth revolved around people actually worshipping old Baseball players as Saints in some very Fallout take on the church.

And they all wear red socks.

Exactly, Perhaps the head 'Manager' wears a sacred hat!

Running the bases and reaching home plate akin to baptism lol

According ot Marcella's computer terminal, it located a distance west of The Commonweatlh

http://fallout.gamepedia.com/Disaster_relief_outpost_terminal_entries#Travel_Journal

"Took shelter with a merchant caravan during a windstorm. More worrying tales from the Pitt. I wonder if my purpose will take me there one day? For now I must continue eastward to the Commonwealth."

Does the term "The Commonwealth" refer to just the area immediately around Boston or does it refer to Massachusetts as a whole? Assuming the later then The Abbey would almost certainly be located in New York State.

Well we know America subdivided into 13 Commonwealths. As far as we know the Boston Commonwealth is the last for these. So we take it to mean that the Boston Commonwealth is the Commonwealth referred to.

Ok, I checked the wiki and according to it "The Commonwealth" refers to what remains of the state of Massachusetts in what used to be the New England Commonwealth which included not only Mass. but also Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Is that right? Why would just the state of Mass. be referred to as The Commonwealth and not the rest of what used to be the New England Commonwealth? Is it a throwback to when Mass. was referred to as a commonwealth before and during the Revolution?

Most likely.

While the US was divided into 13 commonwealth, the post-war world still seems to define things by individual state's names.

Awesome, good call out!!!

West of the Commonwealth... so it could actually be "Rome" in New York. Imagine the possiblity of an american Vatican stationed in Rome with the Pope, cardinals and bishops focused on converting the heathen wastelanders and providing free hospitality to fellow catholics. or some sort of crusader/inquisition-like order that wants to purge the mutants, raiders and unbelievers.

Like someone said a few posts back, their is a lot of potential in this faction for some great storylines.

I think a fully new religious faction like the Children of the Atom would be much more entertaining and could have a better general story. I always find dealing with "broken" NPCs and the back stories that "broke" them so much more interesting than standard greed and power antagonists....

Dragging actual existing religious factions into game could potentially generate some unwanted publicity for the game.

Yeah, that is a BIG landmine...... Not sure Beth is gonna want to go there....... Unless the references are really obscure.

I don't really see the folks of the Abbey being straight up antagonists, mainly because of the reason you pointed out, offending said real world organization. I would like to see a continuation of the "Dark Heart of Blackhall" quest in F3 DLC Point Lookout, in which the Abbey is involved in trying to eliminate the growing threat of the Cult of Ug-Qualtoth. It would be neat if we could join either side of the conflict.

I'n be very surpriseed if Bethesda used any real-world established faith in the game. I mean, taking place in Boston, it would be hard not to at least see some destroyed churches. But I doubt you'll run into catholic priests (or anything similar). Because it just opens the door to criticism and drama. They'd have to include them all. Better to do something "spiritual". And they've already done this, sort of. in Fallout NV we have the ghouls who fly off into space in search of the promised land or the Followers of the Apocalypse as examples. And of course, in FO3, the guys who worship the atomic bomb in Megaton.

warcraft 1 and warcraft 2 had some heavy christian portrayal of the "good" humans and the "evil" orcs were demonic. this didnt lead to any criticism, drama or demand to include more religions from the players.

Father Clifford, Rivet City. Catholic priest
Joshua Graham and Daniel, Zion Canyon. Followers of the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints.
Marcella, Point Lookout. Catholic Missionary.

So you see, they have already used real world religious groups, even if you ignore Honest Hearts because it was in a game not done by Bethesda Game Studios. I would argue that if it was done correctly it could be good stuff. Make them out to be heros in their own little self contained side quest. Your character could then help them out or no depending on your own prerogative.