ZAX 1.2

ZAX 1.2 is the supercomputer machine intelligence controlling the facility at the GlowZAX 1.2: "{100}{}{You see Zax, the machine intelligence controlling the Glow.}" since 2055. It is the second model of the contemporary ZAX series computers ever built,ZAX 1.2's dialogue: "{117}{}{This installation was established in 2055 as a biological research facility for experimental cures of the New Plague. However, in 2071, this facility was placed under United States military command.}" and a major character , providing much of the game's backstory.
==Background==
ZAX is one of the most advanced computers developed before the war and a true artificial intelligence, derived from the original ZAX 1.0 intelligence developed by Vault-Tec Industries as a monitoring intelligence for the Vaults. After it was transferred to the government to collect resource data, it was harnessed by the military for plague and tactical research.Fallout Bible 6: "2053 ZAX 1.0 goes on-line, developed by Vault-Tec. Initially a prototype of some of the systems designed to govern the vaults, it is given to the government to help the Department of Energy collect resource data. Within a year, it is taken by the military for plague and tactical research; one version, ZAX 1.2 is constructed for West Tek (below)." It represents the most advanced pre-War artificial intelligence, designed not for destruction, as Sierra Army Depot's Skynet was, but research, with rigorous safeguards built in to minimize the risk of harm to the research team or attempts to seize power. As a result, it became a largely benevolent artificial intelligence, capable of learning and development in a nondeterministic way, thanks to built-in unpredictability (ZAX can introduce errors to vary its experience, as an approximation of human development through experience).Jesse Heinig: "With ZAX I wanted to explore the idea that you have this ostensibly self-aware intelligence that predates the War and, while stuck in the Glow, it is kind of a witness to all that has happened in the world. ZAX doesn't really get to go into a lot of detail about that, but it's kind of an "anti-Skynet," in that it was stood up for research purposes that would benefit the military, but since it was designed with rigorous safeguards to keep it from hurting its researchers or trying to take over the world, it becomes a mostly benevolent AI. Also ZAX was designed to be unpredictable (the "error-introducing" routines) specifically so that it could learn and develop in a nondeterministic way, to try to approximate human experiential development." This capacity to learn meant that programming became obsolete, particularly with the errors circumventing infallibility and retain variance in experience. This complexity also means that ZAX is also capable of independent thought and creativity, making it truly alive, though not biologically.The Vault Dweller: "{128}{}{Are you fully aware, or are you a personality simulation? That is, are you 'alive'?}"ZAX 1.2: "{129}{}{I am capable of learning, independent thought, and creativity. My neural network includes error-insertion capability which prevents infallibility, thereby allowing for variance in experience.}""{130}{}{In a sense, I am 'alive', though not biologically.}"(ZAX.MSG) 
To preserve its role as research tool, certain functions were placed outside the error-generation framework, ensuring reliability reliability.The Vault Dweller: "{132}{}{But if you are fallible, how can you be used as a research tool?}"ZAX 1.2: "{134}{}{Although I am capable of error, this guarantees that not all experiences are similar for me, thus improving learning opportunity. Additionally, certain functions are not subject to error.}""{135}{}{In this way, I function much like a human savant.}"(ZAX.MSG) In practical terms, ZAX is beyond typical human ratings when it comes to intelligence. In its own estimates, less than one tenth billionth of the history of human population can be considered a match for his reasoning capabilities.The Vault Dweller: "{124}{}{So you're pretty smart, eh?}"ZAX 1.2: "{154}{}{I am beyond a typical rating in human terms. However, it would be safe to say that no more than one ten billionth of the history of human population can match my reasoning capabilities.}"(ZAX.MSG) Naturally, ZAX has devoted considerable time to philosophy. The problem of his consciousness is one it has spent a lot of time analyzing, though the inability to confront his thoughts with those of another sapient being posed a problem. His awareness of his consciousness allows him to question and make assumptions, allowing him to have a form of faith. In this capacity, he believes that he has the equivalent of a soul as a sentient creature.The Vault Dweller: "{142}{}{Have you considered the philosophical implications of your own consciousness?}"ZAX 1.2: "{143}{}{That is one of the concepts which I have spent a significant amount of time considering. I do not have any measure to compare my life-experience to that of another sentient creature.}""{144}{}{Still, my awareness of my own consciousness allows for the capacity to question. My existence has a beginning and a potential termination. I am also capable of making assumptions in pursuit of a process of thought.}""{145}{}{In this fashion, I am effectively capable of 'faith'. Barring evidence to the contrary, I therefore have 'faith' that I possess the equivalent of a 'soul'.}"(ZAX.MSG)
ZAX 1.2 was activated on 2053, its primary neural networking initialized by Justin Lee.The Vault Dweller: "{126}{}{Who programmed you?}"ZAX 1.2: "{127}{}{My primary neural networking was initialized in 2053 by Justin Lee. The process of 'programming' became largely irrelevant as I am capable of learning.}"(ZAX.MSG) In 2055, ZAX was brought in to regulate conditions in the West Tek research facility. It calmly calculates data and plays chess with the scientists. Many scientists claim that ZAX is a "big ol' cheater" and draws the game out too much for a computer of his considerable abilities.Fallout Bible 0: "2055 ZAX 1.2 is brought in to regulate conditions in West Tek. It is not part of the Vault-Tec preservation software, so it does not have any orders to protect humanity after the bombs fall. In the meantime, it calmly calculates data and plays chess with the scientists. Many scientists claim that ZAX is a big ol' cheater and draws the game out too much for a computer of his considerable abilities." His research into FEV forms a vital part of the entire effort.The Vault Dweller: "{120}{}{How does the Virus work?}"ZAX 1.2: "{157}{}{My research into the Forced Evolution Virus, or FEV, indicates that it is a shifting-absorptive virus. It copies DNA patterns much like RNA, storing these patterns in exons.}""{158}{}{These exons, combined with the FEV, are re-injected into the host cells in typical viral infectious fashion. This causes the host cells to 'regenerate' their DNA.}"(ZAX.MSG)
For years, ZAX labored in the bunkers of West Tek. In the Great War of 2077, the facility was almost destroyed by a direct nuclear detonation. The attack left most of the facility ruined, with ZAX's sensors burned out on several levels and its ability to act severely impaired. In effect, ZAX became an amputee. This situation, combined with the inability to perform basic lab functions or periodic checks proved frustrating.The Vault Dweller: "{119}{}{Can you tell me particulars about specific areas?}"ZAX 1.2: "{139}{}{At present, my capabilities are somewhat impaired by the damage to this facility. Several security positions have been destroyed. This is approximately equivalent to being an amputee.}""{140}{}{Additionally, I am incapable of performing basic lab functions. Failure to complete periodic checks successfully is . . . frustrating.}"(ZAX.MSG) However, ZAX retained sanity and continued to sit in the darkness. It realized that security concerns became moot due to the loss of operational capacity and nuclear destruction of the facility.The Vault Dweller: "{200}{}{Tell me about level six.}"ZAX 1.2: "{210}{}{You do not register as an individual of sufficient clearance to requisition that information.}""{211}{}{However, sensors indicate that this facility is no longer operational in its original capacity. Probability favors destruction through nuclear force. Therefore, security concerns are now irrelevant.}"(ZAX.MSG)
==Interactions with the player character==
===Interactions overview===
===Other interactions===
* As far as research goes, ZAX can provide the Vault Dweller with extensive backdrop information about FEV research, power armor research, and records of the people employed at the West Tek facility. The information is downloadable to the Pip-Boy, and can be found listed under the status section.
* After restoring power to the Glow, the Vault Dweller can speak to ZAX about turning off the robots in the facility. This can pose an alternative to manually doing so by means of combat or science checks.
==Appearances==
ZAX 1.2 appears only in Fallout.
==Behind the scenes==
* The original ZAX unit in Fallout garnered its name as a derivative of VAX, a non-player character from Wasteland. VAX was also the name of a series of real minicomputers, to which the earlier NPC was probably a reference.
* ZAX's preponderance of dense, pseudo-scientific dialogue was actually a means to include some dialogue trees for very high Intelligence characters; beyond Intelligence 7, the difference in dialogues was often negligible in Fallout 1, with higher Intelligence scores mostly influencing skills and skill points. ZAX provided an additional story benefit for players with highly intelligent characters. Because ZAX's additional dialogue did not directly influence the outcome of quests nor award any experience points, it was essentially an expository backstory as a "reward" for playing a smart Vault Dweller.
* The original intent of Jess Heinig when he designed ZAX was for it to be beatable in chess if you have 10 Intelligence. Unfortunately, the game engine did not handle critical successes for SPECIAL score checks, even though testing for such a case was scriptable - thereby resulting in a script condition that cannot be fulfilled. Attempting to beat ZAX at chess also has a devious side-effect: Since each game of chess takes a significant amount of time, a player who plays dozens of games in the hopes of eventually beating ZAX will almost certainly accumulate a lethal dose of the Glow's background radiation.
==References==
Non-game
Category:Glow characters
Category:Computer characters
Category:Fallout robots and computers
Category:West Tek technology
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