Starting Arcade Gannon's Side Quest in Fallout: New Vegas

Arcade Gannon is a fascinating character in Fallout: New Vegas, offering a deep and meaningful side quest that ties into the larger narrative of the game. His quest, "For Auld Lang Syne," can be unlocked by increasing your relationship with him and meeting specific criteria.

To start Arcade Gannon's side quest, you need to first have him as a companion. Arcade Gannon can be found at the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside. Speak with him and convince him to join you. You'll need to have a high Charisma or be aligned with specific factions like the NCR or be considered a "Good" character to successfully persuade him.

Once Arcade is your companion, you need to build up your relationship with him. This can be achieved by:

• Engaging in quests that align with his morals: Arcade is generally inclined towards helping people and dislikes violence or actions that favor the Legion.
• Dialogue choices: Be sure to choose dialogue options that align with Arcade's values. He appreciates actions that show kindness, fairness, and a general sense of morality.
• Avoiding actions that would make him leave: Certain decisions, such as siding too much with Caesar’s Legion or being overly violent, might cause Arcade to leave your party.

As you travel with Arcade, he will eventually open up to you and mention his concerns about the future. Once you've earned enough trust and have visited certain locations with him, such as the REPCONN Headquarters, the Enclave Remnants Bunker, or Camp McCarran, Arcade will trigger his quest, "For Auld Lang Syne."

Key steps to trigger the quest:

1. Build Trust: Keep Arcade as your companion and make decisions that align with his ethical views.
2. Visit Key Locations: Travel to locations that are significant to Arcade or the history of the Enclave.
3. Engage in Relevant Dialogue: Pay attention to Arcade’s remarks and engage in conversations that will allow him to share more about his past.
4. Trigger the Quest: Once enough trust is built and the conditions are met, Arcade will initiate the quest by mentioning a plan involving his former comrades.

For Auld Lang Syne is a unique quest that will have you gathering members of the old Enclave to potentially assist in the Battle of Hoover Dam. Each of these former Enclave members has their own backstory and reasons for either joining or resisting the cause, making the quest deeply engaging and complex.

Tips:

• Explore Arcade's Background: Take the time to explore Arcade’s backstory through dialogue to fully understand the implications of the quest.
• Make Morally Conscious Decisions: Stay aligned with Arcade’s ethical stance to keep him as a companion.
• Prepare for End-Game Scenarios: "For Auld Lang Syne" directly influences the final battle, so be prepared for the consequences of your choices.

This quest is not only rewarding in terms of gameplay but also provides a deeper understanding of the Fallout universe and the characters within it. It's a perfect blend of storytelling, character development, and strategic decision-making.