Fallout 3
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Fallout 3 Vault-Tec phone number decoded
Pete Hines from Bethesda shattered our crystalline dreams yesterday when he told us that the Vault-Tec 800 number for Fallout 3 means... absolutely nothing. He and Todd Howard had argued about it, and Pete wanted it to actually have something hidden inside for fans, but he got vetoed.Although Bethesda would love for rabid Fallout fans to kick down the door of a 68 year old woman's house in Texas in search of hidden editions of the game, it just ain't happenin'. Listen to the actual audio dialogue below which busted up our hopes for a Rain Man level math secret hidden in the phone message.
Overheard@E3: Get nuked at the Joystiq meetup
Our very own Ross Miller, in his bubbling excitement over tonight's Joystiq reader meetup, was overheard commenting on the Nuka Cola from Bethesda & Fallout 3 that we'll be bringing. "Get nuked at the Joystiq meetup!" We're planning on it, Rosco.
The real-life Fallout 3 Pip-boy peripheral that almost was
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/The_real_life_Fallout_3_Pip_boy_peripheral_that_almost_was'; Writing about video games can often expose you to those heartbreaking stories of things in development that almost made it, but never appeared. Things like the Phantom game console, Shenmue Online, and the years-in-the-making Duke Nukem Forever. We spent time with Bethesda's Todd Howard beyond locked doors and found out about some of the dark secrets behind Fallout 3, including the massive real-life Pip-boy that would have had a screen built into it to allow you to interact with the game. Or possibly hold your PSP on your wrist to become a PiPSP-boy. Find out more after the breakage.
Bethesda feeds fatigued friends with fried fare
After an extremely long day of liveblogging, keynotes, booth appointment, trawling the show floor, writing stories, taking photos, and recording podcasts, an evening of cocktails and parties sounded like an ideal way to unwind. However, we were smacked in the face with a tidal wave called "tired" and we just couldn't keep our eyes open. Next year: portable energy drink IVs.We vacated Activision's fairly swanky reception and party early last night, with our destinations set on "Bethesda." Jetting from downtown Los Angeles to the Sunset Strip in mere minutes, we arrived like rockstars only to leave like geriatric mall-walkers a short hour later. However, we did witness some things we'd like to share. Check 'em out after the break.%Gallery-27851%
We've got Nuka Cola and a SimTek 1000 viewer
As we perused Fallout 3 today (more on that soon) Bethesda treated us to some refreshment in the form of Nuka Cola. But did we ingest the only known post-apocalyptic soda? No, dear reader, we did not. We left its dark mysteries bottled up in the hopes that we could pass the bottles along to you at Thursday's Joystiq Reader Meet Up Party.A similar fate will befall the other Bethesda swag we nabbed, a SimTek 1000 holographic ... OK, it's a ViewMaster. But it's got Fallout 3 three-dimensional screenshots, so you won't hear us complaining. If you want a crack at it make sure you attend the shin-dig.
Birthdays, bugs and blasts in new Fallout 3 screens
click for bigger celebrations! Earlier today, Bethesda released new screens for Fallout 3. No shots from the Pip-Boy this time, they're all action-packed. These include a conversation with Jericho, a fun-tacular birthday party, and a pack of Brahmin. Action. Packed. If you're into the more boring aspects of Fallout 3, there are also incinerated foes, shootouts with mutant soldiers and giant cockroaches.%Gallery-27759%
Hands on: Fallout 3
click to embiggen Some things must be made clear. One, I played Bethesda's Fallout 3 today. Two, I have never played a Fallout title before, so I can't judge it based on the merits of the series. Joystiq will detail the differences between Fallout 3 and its predecessors in its hands on preview llater this week. With that out of the way, let me just throw this on the table: Fallout 3 is Oblivion with guns. It's a short analysis, but I stand by it. If one were to expand upon this analysis, one might say that Fallout 3 is a post-apocalyptic Oblivion with guns. Having said that, allow me elaborate that this is a compliment. Oblivion fans will understand this. Upon hearing my analysis, our own Xav de Matos noted, "I think I need a cigarette.... that sounds awesome."
E3 08 Swag Watch: Nuka Cola, Fallout 3 View-Masters
See that? Yup, it's Fallout 3's Nuka Cola. Yes, it's super awesome and cool. Sitting right next to it is the SimTek 1000 Holographic Archive, which bears a striking resemblance to the common View-Master. So striking, in fact, that it even carries the View-Master name. Contained on the View-Master are 3D screenshots of Fallout 3. Will this delectable swag be given away at the reader meetup in Santa Monica on Thursday? Yes, yes it will.Oh, and we did play Fallout 3. Expect impressions later today.
Fallout 3's Vault-Tec toll-free number wants you to hold forever
If you call the Vault-Tec toll free hotline at 1-888-4-VAULTTEC (dang novelty 800 numbers!), you'll be stuck on immediate hold and told there are 101,000,000 callers in front of you ... which leads to an extremely long hold time. In fact, a mutant voice lets you know it's about 78,643 hours (unless we're hearing it wrong). We checked back to see if it's counting down, and it doesn't seem to be.Any hackers out there with Rain Man-like number skillz who want to try and decode what this could possibly mean for Fallout 3? Maybe it's the date of the apocalypse. Have at it, and have fun. Also, please don't stay on hold that long and blame us later. If you're phonically challenged, just watch our special Joystiq audio-only recording of the call posted after the break.[Thanks, Robert]
Vault-Tec vid urges you to prepare for the future
We saw some rad new footage from Fallout 3 at Microsoft's press conference this morning, but we see no reason why we should get to have all the fun. Until the nuclear holocaust actually arrives we're going to continue to think about our fellow man, and that includes you, dear reader.Oh sure, you've probably already seen the four-minute long walkthrough, but what about the exquisitely retro Vault-Tec ad above, or the terrifically gory clip just after the break? No? Well, check them out and discover that, yes, it's possible to want Fallout 3 even more.
Fallout 3 teaser site found under the rubble
Somewhere under the remains of what's now Washington D.C., we've uncovered inside an opened vault what appears to be a link to a Fallout 3 teaser site. Corny theatrics aside, the teaser site is currently as barren as Fallout's Capitol wasteland, but Bethesda promises some good content to go up soon. While it's quite nice to see a new site dedicated solely to Fallout 3, you'll have to pardon us if we think this site is already more than adequate.
E308: Fallout 3 'Perfect Life' trailer
Fallout 3 is the long awaited sequel to the classic post-apocalyptic role-playing Fallout series. In the 'Perfect Life' trailer developer Bethesda showcases the humorous side of Fallout 3 -- taking jabs at culture much like the original titles were so well known for. The trailer is available on the Xbox Live Marketplace now.
Fallout 3 DLC will not be available on PS3
Microsoft strikes again! While we still have no idea what the Grand Theft Auto IV's 360 exclusive DLC will be, it has been announced that Fallout 3 will also receive similar treatment. PS3 owners will still be able to get hold of the game, but will not be able to get their hands on the 360 and PC exclusive expansions. Executive Producer Todd Howard stated that the DLC would be "substantial", though whether that covers any-and-all future DLC for the game is up in the air (as it still is with GTAIV). So don't lose all hope just yet.
E308: Fallout 3; including exclusive DLC for 360
Coming to us from the developers of Oblivion and Morrowind, Fallout 3 is the post-apocalyptic role playing game featuring the 1950's styled world and based on the classic PC series. After the preview in the press conference with it's faux "informational video" advertising Vault-tec Microsoft brought out Fallout 3 producer, Todd Howard, and he played the game live in front of the crowd. The newest trailer (shown to the crowd before the gameplay) will be on XBLM soon.The demonstrated gameplay definitely shows off how far the Oblivion tech has come, showing of vehicles, robots, dismemberment and more. Also, Fallout 3 will have substantial exclusive DLC for 360 and GFW.
Fallout 3 to feature exclusive DLC on Xbox 360, Games for Windows
Looks like Fallout 3 is pulling a Grand Theft Auto IV. Wait, that sentence doesn't make any sense! The upcoming apocalyptic Bethesda sequel will come with an extra treat for Microsoft fans. Both the Xbox 360 and Games for Windows versions will feature DLC that's exclusive from any other version. (That's the PS3, if you couldn't figure it out.) "I just wanted to say how much we love XBLM ... we'll be doing substantial exclusive 360 and Games For Windows downloadable content," said executive producer Todd Howard at the Microsoft E3 keynote today.Update: Press conference walkthrough featured after the cut.
Fallout 3 teaser trailer will never, ever let you down
Those who saw that headline and hoped for a pre-E3 (forgive the pun) bombshell will likely be disappointed by the above teaser trailer for Bethesda's take on the classic post-apocalyptic RPG franchise, Fallout -- a thirty second sneak peek at Fallout 3's scenic wasteland and bleak tone waits behind that play button, and not much else. However, upon careful inspection, one can glean a valuable life lesson from the above teaser -- should your residence ever be threatened by an atomic attack, your best chance for survival (other than climbing into the nearest lead-lined refrigerator, of course) involves surrounding yourself with monochromatic television sets. Indestructible and entertaining, your impromptu TV fort will be the most popular bomb shelter in town!
Video: Fallout 3, how we love the tease
GameTrailers TV debuted a new Fallout 3 teaser trailer last night featuring a television, burnt skeleton and some Nuka Cola. We don't want to spoil the teaser fun for you, so you should just just watch. Well, to be honest, there isn't much to spoil really, seeing that the trailer is more weighted towards a tease than any actual information or gameplay. But it's still Fallout 3 and that means it's still an uber sexy trailer. Got that? Fallout 3 and a new uber sexy teaser trailer ... that is all.
Bethesda to host post-apocalyptic film festival in August
Fallout 3 developer Bethesda announced via press release that it is hosting (alongside American Cinematheque and Geek Monthly) a post-apocalyptic film festival in honor of the upcoming game. The two night even starts Friday, August 22 at Aero Theater in Santa Monica, CA.Three films will be shown each night. For Friday, August 22: Wizards, Damnation Alley, A Boy and His Dog. For Saturday, August 23 (The Last Man on Earth, The Omega Man, Twelve Monkeys), both nights starting at 7:00 pm. We think they're missing a few good choices -- namely, Six String Samurai, Mad Max and The Adventures of Pluto Nash. The real kicker is a "special Fallout 3 giveaway" for every attendee. We're expecting a poster or tote bag, but who knows? Maybe Bethesda is offering free Rad Away for all. Tickets go on sale July 25.
Fallout 3 banned Down Under
It seems like the the inability to harm children in Fallout 3 didn't win it any brownie points with Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification, since the office has refused to give the game a rating. The highest rating allowed in Australia for video games is MA 15+. Hence, any game with material the OFLC deems inappropriate for children under 15 will not receive classification. No classification means it is illegal to sell or promote the game. Bethesda can, and probably will, resubmit the game with edits to try and meet the MA 15+ rating's guidelines. We are guessing those PS3 owners who really want their game experience intact can just import the game, since all PS3 games are region-free.
Fallout 3 refused classification in Australia
We didn't think Fallout 3 was close enough to completion for a rating, but the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification has already refused to classify the title, effectively banning it from sale in the country. The game be resubmitted, with edits, in the hopes it meets the gudelines for MA15+ rating. If Grand Theft Auto IV could do it, we have no doubt that Bethesda will find a way to edit the game for sales in the Land Down Under. So much for the Bloody Mess perk.(Alternate captions: "Was it something I said?", "I can has rating now plees?")%Gallery-3507%[Via Internode; thanks, Eden]
