Fallout 3 at E3 (fuck the other games.)

[Vympel]

Link

In a dark yet comfortable mini-theatre, Bethesda executive producer Todd Howard guided us through the first 45 minutes or so of Fallout 3, played on an Xbox 360. Though a lot of what was shown and discussed was already revealed at their pre-E3 presentation late last month, but we did manage to learn many details on the game and its direction.

The atmosphere of the game (and its soundtrack) is very akin to the 1950s look of the first two Fallout titles, yet as Ron Perlman explains, the nuclear destruction happens in 2077. According to Howard, we're dealing with the future as envisioned from the past ... and the future had nuclear-powered cars and apparently never changed their taste in music. (Not that we mind at all.)

Comparisons to Oblivion are inevitable, so let's get those out of the way. As previously known, it does use an improved version of the Elder Scrolls game's engine, and you can really tell (for better and worse) with the animation "You can think of Oblivion as our freshman effort on next-gen platforms," said Howard. The movement was much more fluid, thanks likely to their new in-house motion capture capabilities coupled with the Havok physics engine. As many

In this build, the facial animations (and, as later pointed out by Pete Hines, the gestures) are not at this point realistic, though the lip syncing is accurate. According to Hines, much of the development time between now and its Fall 2008 release date will be spent tweaking such things, and hopefully we'll get some moving eyebrows. Say no to avatar botox!

The draw distance was fantastic, as the entire demo had us moving away from one town that we could still see once we reached our destination (and, spoiler alert, watched it explode).

Playable NPCs are much fewer, but many of the same voice actors we heard from Oblivion are also in here, and we noticed at least one time where the same voice actors was obviously used twice. However, the character's voicing also seems more expressive, which helps differentiate them in a way Oblivion never did. Liam Neeson's voicing for your character's father were already in place, and worked out well. Since your dad does portray many of your chosen characteristics, however, we're not sure how his voice might work should someone try to create a radically un-Neeson protagonist.

The game's introductory hour are designed to give you the feeling that have lived for a long while in the vault. It also serves as a way to assign your stats. At age one, you are given a book by your dad that tells you how special you are, whereby you then choose your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. (strength, perception, endurance, charisma, intelligence, agility, luck) attributes. Later you decide what skills you are proficient at.

The game world will be approximately the same size as Oblivion, with 25% of that world being the Washington, D.C. area.

There will be fewer "quests," but unlike Oblivion each one has their own set of good / evil morals. Quests will not pop up on the screen this time, but Hines said that they will be logged somewhere for later viewing.

The violence and humor are still very much a part of the Fallout universe. The game's atmosphere is best described as gritty, and we admit that it was surprising at first to hear a character curse and later see a sign outside of the vault that read "Let us in motherf**kers" (asterisks added by us). The headshots and limb shots are very gruesome, and with a laser gun you actually cut their head off instead of causing it to explode. Though the Fallout universe may precede it by a while, we can't help but be reminded by Gears of War.

Highlight of the event: a friendly Vault robot, who turns bitter and obnoxious once you turn your back on it.

Water reflection and refraction were subtle but welcomed additions, as was the much-discussed decay of the environment. Howard talked up all the dead bodies often, but the number of skeletons that remained that was saw were minimal. We guess they must've already turned to dust.

Some details for the true Fallout fanatics:

*The two-headed Brahmins make a return, and Pete Hines told us after the demo that Rad Scorpions are also coming back.
*The toughest weapon in the game will likely be the Fat Man, a portable launcher that lobs nuclear grenades.
*We've seen Super Mutants; as to the existence of the more folky mutants from previous games, Hines would not comment.
*Random encounters are making a return, but Bethesda isn't ready to say how.
*Action points, used for the turn-based combat mode V.A.T.S., are being designed to regenerate fast enough so that gamers can use it almost exclusively for fighting.
*Speech options and convincing utilizing the Speech are still there, noted by the [ Speech 29% ] tag besides a talking option.
*Computer security will be done via a game best described as akin to Mastermind, where you have a list of words (embedded amongst gibberish "code") and you will be told how many letters you have right.

"We spent what I refer to as an obscene amount of time on [the PIP boy menu screen]." said Howard. More pixel shaders used on it than all of Oblivion, apparently.

You can zoom the third-person view out to give it the camera view akin to the previous Fallout title.

As a fan of the original franchise, we're impressed by Bethesda's ability to retain the core elements of the franchise and improve upon mechanics. They still have over a year to develop it, but the outlook is so far great. War never changes, but the way you play it can certainly be improved.

I love the sign next to the Vault. Cool idea.

[PeZook]

Yes...yeeeees...

Looks like I will finally have a very convincing reason to spend money on upgrading my computer.

It looks like folks at Bethesda are really putting their hearts into this project.

[Walsh]

Nice. I wonder what the fanboys are saying .

[SirNitram]

Nice. I wonder what the fanboys are saying .

As indicated in my fanfic, D.C. does not look anything like that, there was never a nuclear grenade launcher, and this game will suck.

That's what they'll be saying.

[Vympel]

Their complaints have gotten more niche, obscure, and irrational as more and more positive information about the game has come out. "Oblivion with guns" and "FPS" have given way to shite like "zomg in dialog it'll show you a percentage chance for success before you choose the option, WORST NEWS EVA".

Fuck them and the bed they rub themselves off on.

[Chris OFarrell]

Goood Gooooooooood.

God damnit get out faster...
Fuck, Oblivion with guns sounds fucking awesome...

[Darkevilme]

I liked fallout
I liked oblivion
First person view of the wastelands of fallout? gimme! FPS combat? oh yes i like that. Fallout wastelands rendered in the oblivion engine? sod it give me my time machine and ticket to the year 2008 right now.

[PeZook]

I liked fallout
I liked oblivion
First person view of the wastelands of fallout? gimme! FPS combat? oh yes i like that. Fallout wastelands rendered in the oblivion engine? sod it give me my time machine and ticket to the year 2008 right now.

So that you can fight with your future self over access to your computer?

I literally can't wait for F3. 2008 is looking great, with Assassin's Creed and F3 alone making it worth upgrading my computer.

[White Haven]

Eh, first person...I'm sorry, but I am tired of every bloody game out there deciding that first person is the way to go. It gets OLD. Not saying FO3 will suck or any such, it's high on my to-do list, just...dammit, enough first-person.

Also: For all that it might be cool, the Fat Man is at the same time really, really goddamn stupid.

The good points far outweigh the bad, but, well, 'poo in my ice cream*' effect.

*The Poo In My Ice Cream: The phenomenon wherein an otherwise moderately-irritating point becomes proportionately more aggravating the more you like what it is connected to. No one cares about poo in someone else's front lawn, everyone cares about poo in their ice cream.

[Vympel]

I've already formed the view that I simply won't use the Fatman, in the same way I never used the miniguns in Fallout or Fallout 2.

I don't like the exploding nuclear powered car wrecks from 200 years ago, either.

[Ghost Rider]

I do agree with Haven on the first person issue, but all in all I just don't like the level 20 limit.

Ah well, no uber powerful end . Still this is shaping to very promising, and damn it, I'm excited to use my PC for something other then WoW and apps.

[Vendetta]

I've already formed the view that I simply won't use the Fatman, in the same way I never used the miniguns in Fallout or Fallout 2.

I don't like the exploding nuclear powered car wrecks from 200 years ago, either.

You'll use it. If only to cackle madly as you nuke the most pitifully weak creature you can find.

Though in one preview it was noted that ammo for the thing may be somewhat rare, rare enough that even in a game this size you have to think about where and when you might apply it.

[Cao Cao]

Their complaints have gotten more niche, obscure, and irrational as more and more positive information about the game has come out. "Oblivion with guns" and "FPS" have given way to shite like "zomg in dialog it'll show you a percentage chance for success before you choose the option, WORST NEWS EVA".

Fuck them and the bed they rub themselves off on.

Oh shut the fuck up, you whiny bitch.
Don't think I haven't seen you trolling on the Bethsoft forums and getting owned every single time with your pathetic strawmen and nitpicking.
Stop misrepresenting the critics, because if that's the only way you have to defend Bethesda.. well.. it says more about them and you than anything I could say.

It's too bad morons like you being in positions of respect here drove me away from frequenting this board regularily, but I got over it.
It seems you never did. You want to like Fallout 3? Go ahead. But stop insulting and lying about people who just want a proper sequel and not a spinoff.

[Vympel]

Oh shut the fuck up, you whiny bitch.

Fuck you, fanboy.

Don't think I haven't seen you trolling on the Bethsoft forums

I'm trolling the Bethsoft forum? Oh, that's brillaint that is. It's not every over-entitled Rabid Church of Fallout loser fuck that's trolling it with umpteen different threads about how badly the game is going to suck, it's me when I tell them they're full of shit.

Riiiight.

and getting owned every single time with your pathetic strawmen and nitpicking.
Stop misrepresenting the critics, because if that's the only way you have to defend Bethesda.. well.. it says more about them and you than anything I could say.

Oh really now? Like when, you snivelling whiny dipshit?

Go back to having a good old cry about how Bethesda is ruining Fallout or whatever the hell you wankers go on and on about.

It's too bad morons like you being in positions of respect here drove me away from frequenting this board regularily, but I got over it.
It seems you never did. You want to like Fallout 3? Go ahead. But stop insulting and lying about people who just want a proper sequel and not a spinoff.

You got over it? Then why are you here, asshole? Fuck off to NMA or where your irrationalist bile has credence, it has none here. You'll find no support for your stupid shit here- you know, stupid shit like "oh, Fallout 3 isn't a proper sequel, it's a spin off, because we say so!!!"

Well excuse us! It really must eat you lot of wankers up how the response from the gaming press has been overwhelmingly positive.

The funny thing is you're such a fucking loser that all it took was one thread where everyone flamed you for being a fucking whiner that it "drove you away". That's a new record for thin-skinned pussies everywhere.

[Ghost Rider]

It's too bad morons like you being in positions of respect here drove me away from frequenting this board regularily, but I got over it.
It seems you never did. You want to like Fallout 3? Go ahead. But stop insulting and lying about people who just want a proper sequel and not a spinoff.

Wow, our very our rabid Fallout fanwhore. Yeah, I read the earlier topic and posts but to end it with "PROPER SEQUEL!!!!". I had forgotten how truly stupid you idiots are.

Get this through one's head. Black Isle isn't coming back. Your so called proper sequel will never happen. Go outside and see the sun and leave your masturbation fantasies in your wet dreams.

[RazorOutlaw]

If anything you'd figure that NMA would be happy that this is more a spin-off, if that's what they started calling it, than a true sequel. There's no direct tarnish on the series other than the fact that another company decided to do something not directly related to the previous storyline.

I mean this is win-win right? It'd be like having another Star Wars movie not around the Anakin storyline ala Shadows of the Empire or some shit. There's nothing there for people to go "AAARRGGH THEY FUCKED UP EVERYTHING" because it doesn't even involve the same characters. In this way Bethseda was on the right track for the third part. Rather than muck around in Van Buren's storyline, they did their own.

The Fatman weapon, though, sounds like it belongs better in a typical FPS game. It's not like miniguns and plasma weapons weren't super powerful, or that you couldn't have rocket launchers (IIRC), but a weapon that can effect an area like that seems typical for an FPS game. Well...nobody said my objections had to be totally rational.

[Vympel]

If anything you'd figure that NMA would be happy that this is more a spin-off, if that's what they started calling it, than a true sequel. There's no direct tarnish on the series other than the fact that another company decided to do something not directly related to the previous storyline.

I mean this is win-win right? It'd be like having another Star Wars movie not around the Anakin storyline ala Shadows of the Empire or some shit.

Bethesda hasn't started calling it anything other than Fallout 3, RPG. The problem with fanatic dipshits like Cao Cao is that they think they're somehow qualified/entitled/justified to grab any random passerby who'll listen and whine that it's not really Fallout 3 because (deep breath):-

It's not turn-based isometric sprite no-voice-acting-except-with-talking heads set on the West Coast or alternately on the East Coast BUT NO BROTHERHOOD OF STEEL BECAUSE THAT WOULD SUCK and Liam Neeson sucks because it's a waste of money and is Bethesda going to do soil erosion again and the Supermutants look like orcs and that's not Fallout and Bobbleheads will ruin the game and Fatman is unrealistic and not Fallout but laser guns and plasma guns are and this is an action-RPG made for console kiddies who are stupid and .....

You get the idea.

[K. A. Pital]

Tell me again how does Liam Neeson ruin a game like Fallout. Oh right, he fucking doesn't. He's an A-class actor who knows his shit and a lot of people will enjoy seeing him in game.

Why the fuck does Fallout have such rabid fans is beyond me. Fans of fucking Transformers, a rather rabid bunch, got over the Bay movie designs and actually enjoyed it. But Fallout fans I guess will try to burn the CD booths.

[RazorOutlaw]

I get the idea. People trolled Twcenter.net like crazy after CA dropped the ball with fans over Rome: Total War. While many grievances were true, that atmosphere fostered there allowed for people to beat on the game for dozens of reasons many of which didn't matter much. It got to the point where there was nary a positive post about the game and all people there wanted to do was blab about how they could see a line through a soldier's face.

Without getting into the problems the complaints themselves carried it's easy to see how the irrational complainers would spoil things for new fans.

[Vympel]

I get the idea. People trolled Twcenter.net like crazy after CA dropped the ball with fans over Rome: Total War. While many grievances were true, that atmosphere fostered there allowed for people to beat on the game for dozens of reasons many of which didn't matter much. It got to the point where there was nary a positive post about the game and all people there wanted to do was blab about how they could see a line through a soldier's face.

Without getting into the problems the complaints themselves carried it's easy to see how the irrational complainers would spoil things for new fans.

Yeah- it's one thing for legitimate criticisms based on actual knowledge of the game to come up, and it's a whole other story to take that criticism and blow it out of all proportion to its importance. At least with Rome that shit probably happened at the very earliest, when the demo came out.

On the Bethesda forums you've got every other idiot who's played Fallout and thinks he's some sort of superior elite intelligent gamer because of it (I have no idea why Fallout fosters this attitude) inventing things about Fallout 3 out of literally nothing.

For example, an argument with one particular idiot I got into where he claimed that Fallout 3's quests would suck:-

BioShock will always remain an example of what Bethesda should've done, and why arguments about why they had to use the Fallout name fail utterly.
BioShock doesn't appeal to me personally. It might turn out to be a stinker for all we know; but it doesn't latch on to an existing name only to change everything about it.

I don't see how isometric / turn-based qualifies as "everything about it".

Funny, because I didn't say that was "everything". Even though it's a significant part of it.

(some back and forth which I can't be bothered quoting)

How about the quest to blow up Megaton? Why can't you tell Burke to bug off/shoot him/rat on him? You'd think they'd boast about that if the options were there.
You either blow up Megaton or you don't.
Yeah, that's more choice than Oblivion. But it's less choice than Fallout. It is in fact the same amount of choice you get in Morrowind.

Brilliant! Assume you simply can't say "no" to his request or simply kill him, because the first preview for the game ever didn't think to mention it! Clearly this means there's no choice to do so! Never mind the assumption that just one damn quest is representative of the entire game, whereas if we applied this standard to Fallout (where cherry-pickers have a field day picking out the best quests and just ignoring the quests where you get little choice, if any) it wouldn't be nearly so rosy as some remember it.

You were saying something about stupid assumptions, were you?

Of course, subsequent previews revealed that yes, you could in fact rat out, double-cross, etc etc to your heart's content.

[Cao Cao]

Wow, our very our rabid Fallout fanwhore. Yeah, I read the earlier topic and posts but to end it with "PROPER SEQUEL!!!!". I had forgotten how truly stupid you idiots are.

Get this through one's head. Black Isle isn't coming back. Your so called proper sequel will never happen. Go outside and see the sun and leave your masturbation fantasies in your wet dreams.

And? So? Therefore?
If there can be no proper sequel, then let Fallout die. Bethesda have no excuse for not starting their own post-apocalyptic franchise.

And here's yet another moronic comeback. If all you have is accusations of "being rabid" and "mastubatory fantasies" then who is the real fanwhore?
I've no problem with flaming, but I have NEVER accused pro-Bethesda people of being beneath me as you guys do every single time. That alone proves my point.

[Cao Cao]

If anything you'd figure that NMA would be happy that this is more a spin-off, if that's what they started calling it, than a true sequel. There's no direct tarnish on the series other than the fact that another company decided to do something not directly related to the previous storyline.

Except for Bethesda claiming that FPP is "more advanced", "more immersive" and that this is how they would've done it in 1997 if they could have (they have apparently forgot all about Daggerfall).

I mean this is win-win right? It'd be like having another Star Wars movie not around the Anakin storyline ala Shadows of the Empire or some shit.

Yes because I'm so fucking sure everybody here would gleefully accept Star Wars Episode VII: The Sith Return Again written & directed by Kevin J. Anderson.

Bethesda hasn't started calling it anything other than Fallout 3, RPG. The problem with fanatic dipshits like Cao Cao is that they think they're somehow qualified/entitled/justified to grab any random passerby who'll listen and whine that it's not really Fallout 3 because (deep breath):-

It's not turn-based isometric sprite no-voice-acting-except-with-talking heads set on the West Coast or alternately on the East Coast BUT NO BROTHERHOOD OF STEEL BECAUSE THAT WOULD SUCK and Liam Neeson sucks because it's a waste of money and is Bethesda going to do soil erosion again

You dipshit. Fallout was a tabletop RPG simulator. That's what it always was. Before the setting, before the graphics, it was that.
A direct sequel should live up to that legacy whether YOU like it or not. Who the fuck are you to tell me what Fallout 3 is when you foam at the mouth like a hyena?

And by the way.. isometric is not obsolete. Turn based is not obsolete. Even sprites aren't obsolete. And keep in mind next to nobody really expected Fallout 3 to use sprites. Not even in the time of Van Buren was that an issue. So thanks for strawmanning again, asswipe.
And full voice acting inhibits dialogue. This is a concrete fact. Even Vampire: Bloodlines, arguably the best use of voice acting in an RPG suffered from it. Different responses leading to identical dialogue because you can only record so much.

and the Supermutants look like orcs and that's not Fallout and Bobbleheads will ruin the game and Fatman is unrealistic and not Fallout but laser guns and plasma guns are

And this is the kind of thing you were trolling on the Bethsoft forums, and got spanked by people who just happen to know a little more than you.
And by that I mean they know setting off a nuke 10 feet away would fry you. Yes, even in the Fallout universe. And you apparently don't. But that's why you're an ignorant fucktard.

and this is an action-RPG

Cause Game Informer, who had Bethesda's exclusive on Fallout 3, totally didn't call it an action RPG!

made for console kiddies who are stupid and .....

Console users aren't stupid. I own several consoles.
Bethesda are however making games for shoot 'em up wankers like you. So be proud.

You get the idea.

I get the idea that you'll defend what Bethesda do no matter what, just to be contrary. I get that you're a liar and a troll and are proving this more and more with every venom filled post you make.

[K. A. Pital]

If there can be no proper sequel, then let Fallout die.

Yeah. Nevermind that Fallout 3 is already looking better than some of the shit that already hit the Fallout franchise - "Fallout Tactics". Actually, Betheda graced Fallout fans by wiping Fallout Tactics out of the franchise and the continuity like it never happened at all, which is a good sign. But nooo, no one can touch the "Fallout" name - it's like, sacred.

[Cao Cao]

BioShock will always remain an example of what Bethesda should've done, and why arguments about why they had to use the Fallout name fail utterly.
BioShock doesn't appeal to me personally. It might turn out to be a stinker for all we know; but it doesn't latch on to an existing name only to change everything about it.

I don't see how isometric / turn-based qualifies as "everything about it".

Funny, because I didn't say that was "everything". Even though it's a significant part of it.

(some back and forth which I can't be bothered quoting)

You do of course realise that Bethesda has changed more than just the viewpoint and combat system, and that's what people refer to when they say everything?
Like.. you know.. the subtle dark humour? "Let us in motherfuckers!" is not subtle. The respect for the power of nuclear weapons? That's out. Continuity? What's that? What do you mean only supercomputers like ZAX had true AI? Now Mr. Handy does too! Dumb dialogue? Eye shots? Out they go! Level scaling? We got it! But of course, I already see that you like all that. But then Todd Howard could piss on you and you'd call it gold.

Of course, subsequent previews revealed that yes, you could in fact rat out, double-cross, etc etc to your heart's content.

More lies from fucktard here!
As it turns out, you can either turn him into the sheriff.. or blow up the town. That's it. That's the entirety of options we're shown.
And of course because one poster got one thing wrong, that makes everything you say right!
That's called the silver bullet fallacy, idiot. I think the Trekkie demographic has rubbed off on you.

[Cao Cao]

If there can be no proper sequel, then let Fallout die.

Yeah. Nevermind that Fallout 3 is already looking better than some of the shit that already hit the Fallout franchise - "Fallout Tactics". Actually, Betheda graced Fallout fans by wiping Fallout Tactics out of the franchise and the continuity like it never happened at all, which is a good sign. But nooo, no one can touch the "Fallout" name - it's like, sacred.

Two wrongs don't make a right, son.
Or in this case, three wrongs.