You're trying to make this argument but you're OK with that other stuff being real time just not the pip boy? I don't get what you're being choosy about either. Hell, I wouldn't mind if it were all real time aside from the system menu. I was only coming up with my own personal reasoning why, when someone mentioned the settlement terminal, it would pause there. I didn't draw the line, someone else did and I came up with my reasoning why they may have done it. Here's the kicker, it's MY opinion that it would be silly as [censored] to not pause lock pick, hacking, VATS, and conversations but then choose to pause while looking at our wrist. And if we really need a reason to justify why it would pause during settlement building, think about if a raider walked right into the middle of the foundation you were laying up walls in. That wouldn't really work too well now would it?

I hope not. STALKER didn't pause the game and if you didn't have your [censored] organized or you were dumb enough to start poking around in your inventory before making sure an area was safe then you were punished with death. And I like it that way.

hardcoe mode option please.

Souls games and bloodborne doesn't pause ever in game, if ya need to take a brake ya either park ya character somewhere safe or quit to the main menu.

Of course, part of that reason is due to the "invasion" PvP system.... they're technically online multiplayer games, in a small way. (yet another reason why I'd never go near those games)

I get what you are saying, but I'm pretty sure the ESC key will still display the System menu and pause the game....no need to panic just yet.