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Fallout 3 interview reveals world size and voice actors
Quite a lot of tantalizing news concerning Fallout 3 was dropped by Peter Hines (Bethesda Softwork's VP of marketing) in a recent interview. He compared the new game to another Bethesda RPG epic, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and revealed that Fallout 3's world would be a smaller size at around 50-80% than that of Oblivion's. A smaller world for Fallout 3 is actually befitting in the sense that interesting locales in a sparsely populated post-apocalyptic wasteland would logically be more far-in-between than that of the bustling Imperial Cyrodiil in Oblivion. Another revelation was in the voice acting department; when questioned about criticism on Oblivion's lack of voice acting, Hines replied that Fallout 3 would have "two or three times more" than that of Oblivion. Hines also declared that Ron Perlman, will reprise his narrator role as he did in the first two Fallouts. Liam Neeson has also been added to the roster doing the voice of the main character's father -- a character central to the plot of Fallout 3. There are quite a few more interesting bits in the interview, so you might want to have a read of it for yourself. [Via Kotaku]
Fallout 3's world '50 to 80 percent' as large as Oblivion
It's said that bigger is not necessarily better, and it's a mantra that Oblivion dev Bethesda seems to have subscribed to for their next sprawling adventure, Fallout 3. In a massive interview with Gameplayer, Bethesda spokesperson Pete Hines said that, though no one had walked Fallout 3's post-apocolyptic D.C. from end to end, it's probably 50 to 80 percent as big as the world of Oblivion.That said, it's not necessarily bad news. Fans of the series (or opponents of walking) might be relieved to hear that Bethesda is taking the quality over quantity route. Not to mention that 50 percent of Oblivion's land mass is still pretty darned big. Check out the rest of the interview for a vaultful of other non-geographic info.
Bethesda designer creates new Portal map, Ren_Test3
Having already upped the ante in Portal challenges with Ren_Test2 in November, Bethesda's Daryl Brigner has returned with a new custom-made map aptly titled Ren_Test3. The download, available at TWHL, also includes Ren_Test 1 and 2 as well as Step, Time and Portal challenges for the maps.We haven't had a chance to play it yet (such is the crazy, fast-paced life of a blogger), so tell us what you think in the comments below. Let's hope Valve finds a way to pool some of the best custom maps for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners, too.
Oblivion PSP listing appears on Amazon
We really wish we had a better understanding of the Oblivion PSP game (formally known as The Elder Scrolls Travels: Oblivion) but we still don't get it. We saw the first nugget in OPM in the fall of 2006 and it's been radio silence since then. Last we heard, folks who pre-ordered the game were being called by retailers in November to learn that it had been canceled.Today though, CVG thinks they might have found a sign of life with a listing for the PSP title appearing on Amazon with a ship date of June 30, 2008. Bethesda was mum, telling us: "[We] still aren't talking about what's up with Oblivion PSP. We'll let folks know when that changes." So, a listing, but no confirmation. Hey square one. Good to see you again.
Bethesda calls for Fallout 3 QA testers, shows new concept art
Are you the kind of vault dweller not wanting to seek life outside your safe vault dwelling but still longing for excitement? Bethesda is hiring Quality Assurance (QA) testers for the upcoming Fallout 3. Sure, you get to play the game before anyone else, but as an added incentive, Bethesda's Ashley Cheng notes that top testers usually get pulled to be interns for the company. The developer diary for Fallout 3 has also been updated to give a profile for the Brotherhood of Steel, as well as show off some concept art for the game that you can also peruse in our gallery below. Fallout 3 is still slated for a Fall 2008 release.
The Joystiq Holiday Weekend, 2007
A Pip Vault Boy Gingerbread house (of Fallout fame) is delicious and delectable, especially the blood splattered outside the front door. We bet he ate the little gingerbread people and wiped his smiling face on the pavement. Congratulations to Andy Barnes, who submitted this image to Bethesda's blog and won a Fallout 3 t-shirt. Check out the highlights for today:JoystiqueryJoystiq interview: NIS America talks PS2 love, Mana Khemia detailsToday's angriest viral video: Judd Apatow, Rock Band and backlashWeekly Webcomic Wrapup has gone fishingNewsReminder: Rez HD is a tripHD porn studio swayed to Blu-ray by PS3 ownersPatapon trailer delights some, terrorizes restNYTimes names Mass Effect game of the yearRockstar distributing through IGN's Direct2DriveSessler speaks about X-Play format shift'Safer Scotland' places anti-drunk driving ads in 360 gamesNew games this week: Santa hates you editionCriterion (cockily) responds to Burnout Paradise criticismsBlades of Steel, Donkey Kong Country 3 and Rolling Thunder 2 land on Virtual ConsoleSCEA trademarks 'Resistance 2'Nintendo, Monster Hunter score big in part one of Famitsu's end of year listRock Band Weekly: All-American Rejects, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Sounds; PS3 delayed a weekCrytek gives community Crysis map pack for ChristmasSmallville's Kristin Kreuk to play Chun Li in new Street Fighter flickLost Planet star signed to G.I. Joe filmSteam's last-minute Christmas sale: 10-50% off everythingRumors & SpeculationRumor: Indian gaming company to buy out Sony Online Entertainment for $300 million [update]Culture & CommunityHappy (Holiday Name Here) from Aperture ScienceTeam Roomba perfects the art of Team Fortress 2 griefingGet your head in the game with Wii remote VR display
Fallout 3 Create a Perk contest winner selected, 'Grim Reaper's Sprint'
"Every time you kill an opponent, all your action points are automatically restored." So goes the description for the perk "Grim Reaper's Sprint," winner of Bethesda's Fallout 3 Create a Perk contest. The designer, Marc-André Deslongchamps of Montreal, will see his perk included in the final game as well as receive a package of PC-related prizes.The contest, announced in early October, was in honor of Fallout's 10th anniversary. Eleven runner-ups and five random entries were chosen to also receive gifts; be sure to check out their submitted perks at the contest page. We're hoping to see some of these other perks, especially Kleptomaniac, find their way into Fallout 3 in some facet.Now that we know one of the perks, anyone want to place bets on what the others will be?
Fallout sale to help fund Earthworm Jim, Descent comebacks
With help from money it gleaned from selling the Fallout franchise to Bethesda, Interplay intends to revitalize its in-house game development studio and "has hired a veteran game developer," according to an SEC filing. Interplay also noted that, should it be able to obtain further financing, the developer intends to "develop sequels to some of the most successful games, including Earthworm Jim, Dark Alliance, Descent and MDK." The developer also plans to continue work on a Fallout MMO. The connection to Interplay's former post-apocalyptic franchise doesn't end there; it's as interwoven into this story as the characters from LOST are to each other. The "veteran game developer," as it turns out, is former Fallout designer Jason Anderson, who worked on the first and second games before leaving with fellow Fallout devs Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky to form Troika games. Anderson is reportedly working on an MMO for Interplay unrelated to Fallout. [Via Gamasutra]
Bethesda designer makes Portal level
It's no secret that the hearts of Joystiq are almost exclusively the property of Portal. Sure, we have dalliances with other games, but we always know on which side our digi-bread is buttered. So it's a comfort any time we hear we're in good company, like today when we learned that Bethesda level designer Daryl Brigner had cranked out his own custom map for the game called "Ren Test 2." You can download the files here and see the download instructions here. After spending a few minutes with the map, we can report that it is pretty difficult. It's also pretty brilliant, with a few mechanics not used in Valve's game that we don't even want to ruin for you here. If you're a Portal junkie who's hard up for a fix, you need to download this now.
An Elder Scrolls MMO in the works?
The domain name elderscrollsonline.com was registered on 15 August this year by ZeniMax Media Inc, parent company of Bethesda Softworks - the lovely people who make all those wonderful Elder Scrolls games. Adding fuel to the speculation, ZeniMax Media obtained 15 million US dollars in funding from Providence Equity Partners Inc in late October, which will be used "to fund future growth, increase game development and publishing, facilitate acquisitions, and finance massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs)." [our emphasis] Bethesda, the Elder Scrolls, and MMO development. These things potentially add up to Massively Tasty Online Games.
Elder Scrolls going online? Maybe
Hot on the heels of a massive investment from Providence Equity Partners in Bethesda-parent ZeniMax Media's newly opened MMO-focused studio, word has reached us that the company has registered the domain name elderscrollsonline.com, throwing some weight behind the idea that Bethesda's popular RPG franchise could someday finally break free from its single player shackles and frolic the n00b-infested waters of the MMO. It's true that many have often referred to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion as an MMO without all the stupid. Still, the truth of the matter is that while we openly admit that The Elder Scrolls works well as a setting for an immersive single player experience, the world itself is nothing short of generic. The last thing the gaming world needs is yet another tepid swords and sorcery MMO, and the idea of having to lead an intricately armored horse to the pond to drink once a month seems more apt to turn our stomachs rather than our wallets.
Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles headed to PS3 on Nov. 20
If you're anything like one Justin McElroy, you thoroughly enjoyed the long walk in the woods that was The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. In fact, you'd go as far as saying it was the best game ever created. Unfortunately, the news of the game's expansion, Shivering Isles, arriving on the PlayStation 3 next month won't be of much use to you. Let's face it, the chances of you wiggling out of that straitjacket by November 20th aren't particularly good. It's just as well, really, since Shivering Isles rolls around screaming in the subject matter of insanity and delirium and would likely prove upsetting to you.Not quite as upsetting: Though Bethesda will be forgoing the download route it initially took with the Xbox 360 version, the price of the PS3's expansion disc is similarly set to $29.99.
Oblivion to get free, final DLC: Fighter's Stronghold
Get ready to saddle up your blessedly armor-free horse and don the Crusader's relics one final time. Bethesda announced today that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion would be receiving new downoadable content on Xbox 360 and PC next week, beginning on Oct. 15. The good news? It's free for a week! The bad news? It's the last bit of DLC for the game. Fighter's Stronghold will add a new castle for you to run, complete with your own vintner to create wines for you, a combat trainer, even a taxidermist to create trophies for your pad ... and creep out the local girls.In other Oblivion DLC news, Bethesda says that they're "close, very close to working something out to bring Shivering Isles to PS3 owners." Which is close, very close to being very good news for those of you who didn't wait out for the Game of the Year edition.
Design a Fallout 3 perk, win notoriety and gaming gear
In celebration of Fallout's 10th anniversary, new IP owner Bethesda Softworks have opened a contest for the aspiring Vault Dweller to design their own perk to be included in the upcoming Fallout 3. The winner will also receive a bunch of gear for either PC or Console gamers (there are separate packages for each, listed on the contest page).You don't have to possess artistic talent to enter, opting instead to use one of Bethesda's 15 pre-made sketches. However, if you want to submit your own art work, photo or whatever, you're more than welcome to. Contest ends 11:59 p.m. ET on October 31.
Shivering Isles to get retail disc on 360 in October
Life is good for fans of massive fantasy worlds who haven't yet found time to see what the whole internet craze was about. Not only will The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year edition be released next week on 360 and PC, but next month you'll be able to buy a standalone disc containing the Shivering Isles expansion along with the Knights of the Nine DLC. The disc will retail for $29.99, a $10 savings over those who bought the packs through Xbox Live.But take note of that "Storage Required" sticker on the box, you still need to have a hard drive for the expansions to live on. Those of you rocking the Core systems are unfortunately still out of luck.
Interplay trying to gather funds for Fallout MMO
Like a deadbeat dad promising to buy you a new bicycle "as soon as he gets the scratch together," Interplay is still talking about making an MMO based on the Fallout universe. They made mention of the idea last December, but, according to a new earnings statement, are perhaps a bit closer to beginning to realize it now that their debt load has been reduced from $59 million in December 2001 to less than $3 million.Whatever they're planning, they may want to get hoppin'. Their agreement with Bethesda states that not only must Interplay pay a 12% royalty on net sales of the MMO, but it must be in development before April of 2009, must have a minimum of 10,000 subscribers and must comply with "the quality standards of Bethesda." By the way, this week's understatement champion is Interplay Chairman Herve Caen who said, "Fallout Online will play a key role in the future of Interplay." Yeah, Herve. No kidding.[Via 1UP]
Star Trek: Conquest beaming onto Wii and PS2 this holiday
Listen up, Trekkies. Ever since its first public unveiling, we know you've been dreaming of using the Wiimote as a phaser (set to stun, we hope) in a Star Trek video game. We know, some of those other nerds keep going on and on about lightsabers this and Dark Sith Lord that ... but we both know where the real action is. Phasers. In a nod to our Vulcan compatriots, we've suppressed all emotion to bring you news that Bethesda has announced Star Trek: Conquest for the Wii and PS2 platforms, scheduled for this holiday (just in time for Earth's largest buying season). The game is "a blend of strategy and intense action set in 'The Next Generation' era." And, what's this? You'll use your Wiimote and Nunchuck to pilot the USS Enterprise for some real-time spaceship combat? It's not phaser control, but it just may be worth the extra $10 they're asking for the Wii version. Make it so this holiday at $30 for the Wii offering and just $20 for you PS2 owners.
Bethesda's parent company makes MMO studio
We're probably not the only ones who have thought of Oblivion as an MMORPG without awful people. Now, Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax Media, has opened an MMO-focused branch called ZeniMax Online Studios, which makes us wonder if we're not the only ones who thought The Elder Scrolls should make the move to massively multiplayer.The studio will be headed up by Matt Firor, producer of Dark Age of Camelot, who is currently recruiting a crew of staffers. Of course, there's no guarantee that he'll work in the Elder Scrolls universe. But when you look at some of the properties under Bethesda and ZeniMax's roof (Fallout and Breeders Cup World Thoroughbred Championships spring to mind) it's hard not to be excited by the possibilities.
Oblivion producer predicts breakout hit in Japan
Can a western RPG find a substantial audience in Square Enix's backyard? Bethesda producer Ashley Chang has high hopes for his game Oblivion (the Xbox 360 version came out today in Japan). It marks the first time an Elder Scrolls title has come to the region. "Now I'm no industry analyst," he writes on the company's blog, "but [in my opinion], Oblivion will be a breakout hit in Japan ... it has the potential to drive 360 sales much like Blue Dragon did." Cheng also pointed to data from preorders and an impressive 38 out of 40 Famitsu, adding later that "I think Oblivion is going to be one of the biggest RPGs of the year for the Japanese market." We're not industry analysts, either, but Blue Dragon had some high-profile Japanese names behind it, including the creator of the Final Fantasy series. The Xbox 360 version has a steep uphill battle, despite the Famitsu review. Since Trusty Bell (known elsewhere as Eternal Sonata) has just come out, perhaps Oblivion will be helped by a surge in the console's interest thanks to tri-Crescendo's title. As the post describes, a lot of work went into translating the text into Japanese -- and yes, all the books received translation. Both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions ship with the Knights of the Nine expansion included; the PlayStation 3 version "will be out in the coming months," said Cheng. [Thanks, ESfan]
Joystiq at Bethesda's E3 2007 party
Last night, Joystiq attended the Best Bethesda Softworks E3 Party Ever -- not much of a contest, considering this was also their first E3 party ever -- at the Saddle Ranch Chop House. When we first arrived, the shindig was pretty low key. By the time we left, the venue was packed. Yes, there was bull riding and no, we don't think hotness codes were enforced.%Gallery-4776%
