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Bethesda shows off some Fallout 3

by Dustin Burg { Jul 2nd 2007 at 4:00AM }

Our friends over at Joystiq got a chance to take a look at Bethesda's Fallout 3 and even though the franchise has been on hiatus for a while, the game sounds like it'll be sure to please. Fallout 3's story takes place 30 years after the previous in Washington DC based Vault 101 where you live among the many survivors. But then things get a little mysterious when your father goes missing, so you take it upon yourself to hack the computer system, open the vault, and crawl outside for the first time. The game is quite reminiscent of an Oblivion feel, but the overall tone, graphical improvements and odd weapons like the Suck-o-Tron give Fallout 3 a unique tone and a lot of promise. Go ahead and check out Joystiq's full preview and additional list of Fallout 3 factoids that they learned after grilling the Bethesda dev team. But don't get too excited just yet fanboys, because this little gem is slated for a Fall 2008 release.

Read - Fallout 3 Preview
Read - Additional Fallout 3 details

More Fallout 3 details than you can shake a nuke at

by Kyle Orland { Jul 1st 2007 at 8:01AM }

There were so many great tidbits revealed at Bethesda's Fallout 3 press event that we couldn't fit them all into the basic overview. For you obsessive fans, here are some more notes on what the game will, won't and might include:

The game takes place 30 years after the events Fallout 2. The events of the much-maligned Fallout: Brotherhood and Fallout: Tactics never happened in the universe of Fallout 3.
The game will feature a day/night cycle and changing weather.
There will be 21 collectible bobbleheads hidden throughout the game for Easter egg lovers.
The game will feature 20 licensed songs from the '40s that will be played through radio stations accessible via your on-arm PIP-Boy and radios peppered throughout the game world.
There will be no drivable vehicles in the game, but you can travel between locations through subway tunnels.
There are children in the game, but the team isn't sure yet if they will be killable as they were in the previous Fallout games.
The game will have no multiplayer mode and no demo is currently planned.
Downloadable content and player-created mods are being considered, but nothing has been finalized.
The game will feature nine to 12 endings based on how you've played it.
The game's version of Washington D.C. will include iconic landmarks and the general topography of the real city, but will not be a street-by-street recreation. The downtown area represents about one quarter of the in-game map.
There will be fewer non-player characters in Fallout 3 than in Oblivion, owing to the game's post-apocalyptic setting. Almost all the NPCs will be killable.
You'll be able to hire mercenaries to aid you as in the first Fallout game. You won't have much direct control over them.
Among other statistics, the demo's loading screens contained a mysterious metric of "corpses eaten." "We're not talking about that stuff," Executive Producer Todd Howard said when asked about the stat.

Also see: Joystiq First Look: Fallout 3

Joystiq First Look: Fallout 3

by Kyle Orland { Jul 1st 2007 at 8:00AM }

Take a revolutionary, genre-defining series of games. Put it into legal and developmental limbo for a decade or so as the rights get juggled around like a hot potato. Then try to update it for a new generation of hardware and players as an obsessive, tight-knit group of fans watches your every move.

No pressure, right?

Since Bethesda Softworks got the rights and started work on the next Fallout game in 2004, Executive Producer Todd Howard has been well aware of the expectations bearing down on him and his team. "The myth of Fallout has grown over those years that people haven't played it," he said at a demonstration of the game at the company's Maryland offices. "I think the game is great, but each year it gets better and better and better in people's minds. I'm not saying the game isn't awesome, but it's that myth of it. ... I think the expectations for Fallout 3 came back in a big way."

So does the early build of the game live up to the lofty expectations? Continue reading to find out.

Continued →

Scans of early-build Fallout 3 show much promise

by Peter Vrabel { Jun 28th 2007 at 3:45PM }

Finnish magazines get all the love. Well, at least when it comes to recent press on Fallout 3. Finnish magazine Pelaaja grabbed a few scans of the game in progress and we must say, it seems to be coming in line nicely, following details already laid out by Bethesda. These scans look great, even if they are a little blurry (likely due to the fact they are scans and not pure screen shots of the game in progress). The character models appear to be fleshed out with texture-a-plenty and we'll bet the lighting will hold similar Oblivion-like bloom effects upon the game's release.

The Fallout franchise certainly has its fair share of rabid fans, so it was extremely important that Bethesda carry the torch with gloved hands, as to not disrupt or crack the foundation already set in place. Without a preview of the game, it's far too early to tell if the plot will hold firm on the foundation set by former developer Black Isle, but the scans show mighty promise. The colors are fairly drab and muted, kept to a palette rich in silver and brown (perfect for a post-apocolyptic setting such as this). Also, the scans confirm Bethesda's previous confirmation of using a modified Oblivion engine and keeping the 1st and 3rd person perspective for RPG narrative. We've put all four scans into a gallery and will be updating with more scans and screen shots as they come in. Fallout 3 is quite a ways off, scheduled for release in Fall of 2008.

Continued →

Fallout 3 gameplay details revealed

by Ross Miller { Jun 15th 2007 at 2:45PM }

The latest issue of Game Informer has the first concrete details of Bethesda's Fallout 3. Those who were worried of Post-Apocalyptic Oblivion should find some solace in the amount of Fallout style that has been retained.

Though it does run off of a modified Oblivion -- which is no surprise, considering the in-game teaser featured a Powered Armor soldier that looked strikingly similar to an Elder Scrolls knight -- the developers have reworked the third-person view due to the "negative feedback from its last role-player," CVG reports. The health system allows you to hit enemies -- and subsequently lets enemies hit you -- in specific points on the body.

Remnants from previous Fallout titles include:

The Karma system! Bethesda is touting 9 to 12 different endings based on your actions in the game.
The ability to sneak and talk your way through the game. Maybe we can still talk the final boss into self-destructing.
Turn-based combat is possible using Vault-tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S.), although once your action points are used up, you will revert to real-time combat until they charge up again.
Radiation poisoning.
As indicated from the trailer, Ron Perlman

Liam "I'm your daddy" Neeson will appear in the opening of the game as your are born in a vault hospital, showing traits similar to the ones you choose for your character. Fallout 3 is set for a Fall 2008 release.

Gallery: Fallout 3

Fallout 3 making its way to PS3 consoles in Fall 2008

by Peter Vrabel { Jun 5th 2007 at 9:30PM }

The teaser trailer came up earlier today and in case you haven't seen it, we've embedded it for you after the break. Although it's too early to determine specifics between the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, the teaser still gives us a taste of what Bethesda has in store for its first go-round with the fan favorite. Bethesda purchased the Fallout franchise from Interplay back in April, giving them free reign on the upcoming sequel, and thank goodness Todd Howard posted his proclamation about caring for the franchise, lest crazed fanboys do something ... crazy. Bethesda's Pete Hines described the teaser as "in-engine," and goes on to say it's "not real-time" but that it was created using game assets in an in-house designed engine. So, in other words, it's not like the 2005 E3 trailer for Killzone, got it? Fallout is projected for a simultaneous release on all next-gen consoles (and PC) for Fall of 2008.

Continued →

Fallout 3 will fall in Fall (2008)

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 5th 2007 at 2:45PM }

Fallout, it's one of those games that you either A) love or B) have never played. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the first official trailer of Fallout 3 has caused undo stress on the Intertubes and rushing streams of data to burst from the weakened joints. The trailer reveals nothing in the way of gameplay, but it does show off some very pretty in-engine footage. If you've been salivating for some post-apocalyptic goodness, look no further. Oh, and in case the headline didn't tip you off, the game is expected to drop in the Fall of 2008. For the completely obsessed, you may now download the trailer and play it repeatedly for the next year and a half.

Also, for the record, we'd like to add that Ron Perlman needs to do more video game work. That guy is like butter, makes anything better.

[Via Joystiq]

Fallout 3 set for Fall 2008 release

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jun 5th 2007 at 12:50PM }

Get to a shelter! The apocalypse is nigh!

Well, it's somewhat nigh. In fact, it's very close to almost bordering on the status of being considered nigh. If the just released teaser trailer for Bethesda's foray into a world wrecked by nuclear catastrophe is any indication, Fallout 3 is set to leak out of a suspicious cannister in Fall 2008. Alright, so not particularly nigh then.

The trailer (which is currently creating a bandwidth apocalypse on Bethesda's site) doesn't give away much along the lines of gameplay, but provides some assurances that obliterated cityscapes and dilapidated vehicles will be completely represented in all their glorious, err, incompleteness. Perhaps Fallout's new caretakers really do care about the revered RPG franchise.

Bethesda's Pete Hines even cares enough to offer some answers to questions you were just about to ask: The trailer is in-engine, those are the Ink Spots you hear and yes, that's Ron Perlman's gravelly voice.

Surprise ruined: Fallout 3 countdown is for teaser trailer

by Ross Miller { May 29th 2007 at 7:15PM }

Remember all the joy you had speculating over Blizzard's countdown to Starcraft II? Were you heartbroken when Nintendo Power revealed what the Smash Bros. site would change before their clock went to zero?

Bethesda VP of Public Relations and Marketing Pete Hines dropped a spoiler in our mailbox this morning: a Fallout 3 teaser trailer will be released next week, coinciding with the end of the countdown. Given the capitalized text that says TEASER next to do the countdown, we think it's safe to assume that this is the focal point of next week's revelations.

"But why?" you may cry, "why Joystiq, why did you ruin the anticipation and not at least put spoiler alert in bold letters to give us a warning?" Because we're the party pooper, that's why. Now run along and enjoy the concept art they've released over the past few weeks. Having a Liam Neeson film on in the background helps, too.

Gallery: Fallout 3

Today in Joystiq: May 25, 2007

by Ross Miller { May 25th 2007 at 11:59PM }

Another week, another teaser image for Bethesda's upcoming Fallout 3 This teaser pic, uploaded Monday, shows a soldier laying on his back, presumably captured or defeated by the scavengers standing over him posing for the picture. Bethesda VP of Public Relations and Marketing Pete Hines said that the plan is to put all these pictures out in high resolution sometime down the road. In the meantime, check out the highlights for today:

Nintendo Media Summit
Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree hands-on (Wii)
The BIGS hands-on (Wii)
Brain Age 2 hands-on (DS)
Boogie hands-on (Wii)
Drawn to Life impressions (DS)
Mario Party 8 hands-on (Wii)
Mario Strikers Charged hands-on (Wii)
Pokemon Battle Revolution impressions (Wii)
Planet Puzzle league hands-on (DS)

Joystiquery
Japanese hardware sales, May 14 - May 20: Suggestive sandwich edition
Joystiq Podcast 008 - Sony Gamer's Day edition
The Political Game: How old is too old for game blame?

News
The Sims coming to the big screen, logic be damned!
360 wheel price drops for Forza 2 release
New Grand Theft Auto IV screens, illustrations
Valve not charging for downloadable content
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles trailer revealed
Halo 2 Vista delayed because of "partial nudity"
DEFCON in your pocket
Mario Strikers makes worldwide online matches a pain
Penny Arcade Adventures game gets new trailer
Lawsuit filed against Sony over Blu-ray discs
Gyakuten Saiban 3 to include English translation
One Laptop Per Child announces game jam
Mod-proof Wii systems to be released in Japan
New achievements in next Gears of War update

Rumors & Speculation
Analysts: Halo 3 will finally make Xbox division profitable
Halo 3 medal hints at new aircraft

Culture & Community
Hidden images in Starcraft II trailer
Wii60 survey: Wii owners less likely to buy Xbox 360
DS English training software increases students' vocabulary
Game Boy emulator for PSP adds a dash of color
CNET's best video game controllers of all time
Three-year old smashes TV after losing Wii Sports

Bethesda's Todd Howard: We care about Fallout

by Ludwig Kietzmann { May 24th 2007 at 8:26PM }

Given the miasma of secrecy emanating from Bethesda's Fallout 3 camp, many fans of the post-apocalyptic RPG franchise have expressed concern over its impending return. Will it be Morrowind with Mutants? Final Fantasy with Freaks? Short of naming Liam Neeson as the game's father figure, the Elder Scroll-keepers have barely offered up any information regarding the nature of the game, a situation which has ardent followers worried.

Enter Todd Howard, Fallout 3's self-proclaimed "person-in-charge." Responding to fans in a "Meet the developers" thread on Bethesda's forums, Howard provides a lengthy and heartfelt commentary on the developer's thoughtful approach to the game... without giving anything away. "To say we care about Fallout would be an epic understatement," says Howard. "We are excited/humbled to be the ones to bring it back. I know we don't have all the right answers, or the one's you would make when it comes to how it should be or look. We can only do what we think is right and what makes us the most excited, and that's what we've done. We've left no stone unturned in trying to find Fallout's 'soul', but those decisions are ours, not yours. I just hope you give the game a look and decide if that soul is there for you."

Though fans will surely focus their attentions on more specific items once the game is fully unveiled, Howard's sentiments provide interesting insight into a developer tasked with meeting expectations within an established and loved universe. He likens Fallout 3 development to the adoption of a child which one steadily grows to love -- 7 glowing arms and all. We're sure to see more of the game "very soon."

[Via Ashleycheng.com. Thanks, Meg & Cal]

Today in Joystiq: May 14, 2007

by Ross Miller { May 14th 2007 at 11:59PM }

Yesterday's mention of a Blizzard teaser reminded us to take a gander at Bethesda's Fallout 3 teaser page and, sure enough, with 22 days to go we have a new picture of what appears to be the remnants of the ~~White House~~ US Capitol Building and the Washington Monument in the background. Check out the highlights for today:

Joystiquery
Today's most musical video: Final Fantasy in Mario Paint

News
New content goes Live for Bullet Witch, Test Drive Unlimited
'Japan-only' Eternal Sonata demo works in U.S.
Two ninjas and a Pac-Man walk into a Virtual Console
New games this week: Shrek the Third edition
This Wednesday: Aegis Wing lands on XBLA, forms the head
PlayStation Network to add video, advertising, and more
Revenant Wings, FF Tactics remake dated for North America
Prove yourself in new Tony Hawk title
Boston mayor wants more developers, but backs Jack Thompson
Sony's Jack Tretton sticks with 10 year message
Serious Sam shoots for three, dev talks new IP
Gamestop places 16 in Barron's top companies list
Reuters: Halo 3 gets mixed reviews
Classic PlayStation ad gets hall of fame award
Wii to celebrate Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Shane Kim on Shadowrun's $10 PC to 360 price difference
'Next-gen' Wolfenstein resurfaces with 2008 release
Prince of Persia Classic on XBLA, what? No turban!?
Metal Gear Solid 4 goes stealth until 2008

Rumors & Speculation
Rumor: PS3 firmware 2.0 details leaked
Nintendo Power rumored to be closing its doors

Culture & Community
When Xbox Live copywriters get careless
Does tobacco use affect a title's ESRB rating?
Cheney 'honored' with dubious Halo 3 medal
A classical approach to Blizzard with Video Games Live

Liam Neeson to provide voice for Fallout 3

by David Dreger { May 9th 2007 at 3:30PM }

Bethesda Softworks just announced that actor Liam Neeson will be portraying the role of the father of your character in their upcoming RPG, Fallout 3. According to Todd Howard, the game's executive producer, the role was written with Neeson already considered for the part, and he's been a joy to work with on the project. Neeson himself said that he is anxious to see players reaction to his role in the game, and so are we. His voice can make or break a character, much like Michael Wincott did for the Prophet of Truth in Halo 2 & 3.

[Via Joystiq]

Liam Neeson is your father (in Fallout 3)

by Ludwig Kietzmann { May 8th 2007 at 2:55PM }

Though our schoolyard arguments and childish vendettas have long since shifted to the blogosphere, we have always been profoundly confident in our father's ability to physically lay waste to your meager sack of paternal meat. In other words, we thought our dad could beat up your dad. That is, until we learned today that your dad is, in fact, Liam Neeson. Bethesda Softworks has announced that the famous actor and thespian will act out and, err, thesp the role of your father in post-apocalyptic RPG, Fallout 3.

Our father stands little chance against the might of the man who trained Batman, gave Darth Vader his training wheels, exhaustively researched sexuality and is destined to become the president of the United States. Neeson's also "absolutely amazing to work with," according to Fallout 3's executive producer, Todd Howard. "This role was written with Liam in mind, and provides the dramatic tone for the entire game."

Neeson, who hopefully survives a bit longer than Patrick Stewart did in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, adds that it was a pleasure sharing his voice with Bethesda and that he hopes "the fans of the franchise and the game will be excited by the results." If not, we'll just have to beat up your father ourselves.

[Via Pro-G]