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Fallout 3 pics: Invasion edition
Yesterday was "Oblivion edition" for Fallout 3 with those tasty new screens, but today is "Invasion edition." Why is that so, you ask? Well, just look at that Brotherhood of Steel army amassing in the picture above. Those are real, life-sized statues located somewhere in one of Bethesda Softworks' newly renovated fallout vaults. Possibly number 101. If you're thinking that those statues are tiny figurines that'll fit in your hand, think again. These babies look to be at least seven feet tall. Check the pic after the break to get a sense of scale, or just hit Bethesda Blog for more awesome pics. So, Bethesda, what are you going to do with all of these? Are you going to give us one?
GameTap Thursday: Fallout, Battle Chess, Aveyond 2
All you need to know about this week's GameTap update is encapsulated in one word: Fallout. There, we've said our bit. No word yet when Fallout 2 will make it onto the smorgasbord. Fallout (Windows) - "A post nuclear role playing game." Aveyond 2 (Windows) - A relatively new RPG that looks like an old-school Squaresoft game. Battle Chess (Windows) - Play chess, but watch the pieces on the board beat the pixels out of each other. Oh, how we long for an HD remake of this game. Knights of the Round gets added to GameTap's selection of gratis games this week. The full list of free ad-supported titles from the service can be found after the break.
Fallout irradiates GameTap this Thursday
The feel-good post-nuclear-apocalypse game about finding a Water Chip, Fallout, joins GameTap this Thursday. There are still no details about when Fallout 2 will make an appearance on the service, but when GameTap originally announced Fallout was coming, the company did say it would be adding the "series." For those with some patience, the original Fallout should be available on GameTap's free service at some point in the future.[Thanks Joshua]
Joystiq interview: Bethesda's Todd Howard on Fallout 3
Hopefully we're not in danger of providing Fallout 3 overload, and if you haven't gotten the idea yet, we're really looking forward to this game. It's literally a cool science fiction series skin slapped on top of Oblivion, but we're not complaining about that. Blowing away mutants in the wasteland? Yes, please. Here's the meat and bones from our time with Bethesda's Todd Howard, and you can listen to the full audio interview below. After the break, find out some tidbits like the size of the world, how many radio stations are in the game, and why you won't be dual-wielding or buying horse armor. Oh, and be sure to pay attention to the exploding pants achievement.
Overheard@E3: 'The pie will be mine'
In an interview today (we'll have more from this later), Fallout 3 executive producer Todd Howard let us in on a little Bethesda family tradition. After the release of its games, the team holds a speed run contest to see who can get through the title the fastest (without cheating, of course). For Oblivion, Howard lost to the QA lead, who managed to best the Elder Scrolls RPG in 1 hour and 15 minutes. "But this time [with Fallout 3]," he said, "the pie will be mine."
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%
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."
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%
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.
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.
WoW Moviewatch: The Pilgrim's Plight
In 1997, a little game called Fallout was released. Since then, millions of boys grew up searching for another game to take its place. Some of them, including Gnomechewer, ended up in World of Warcraft, machinimating their adventures.The Pilgrim's Plight largely borrows from the opening intro of the first Fallout game. Blood Elves are enticed to join Kael'thas Sunstrider in Sunwell for the new utopia. However, all is not well in paradise ...If you have any suggestions for WoW Moviewatch, you can mail them to us at machinima AT wowinsider DOT com.Previously on Moviewatch ...
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]
New pics, new perks and no traits for Fallout 3
click to embiggen We talked about the exhaustive Fallout 3 Q&A yesterday, but there are a few morsels of information we want to point out specifically, chief among them are new images that reveal the Megaton Bar, a "shotgun on robot" and the Pip-Boy skills menu.For the Fallout purists, chances are you'll be dismayed to hear that traits have been taken out of the game and melded into the perks system, which has been modified to where you're allowed a new perk with every level. "That was a hard decision for us, and one that took, literally, years," said executive producer Todd Howard, who noted that the traits and perks system were so related that many of the design-a-perk contest entrants were actually traits. According to Howard, if you include ranks, there are about 100 perks available and only 19 chances to pick a perk each game (level cap is 20). No worries, though, because "Bloody Mess" is still available, and that's all we need to hear to be satisfied.%Gallery-3507%
New Fallout 3 screens and details
In a second fan Q&A over at Bethesda, Todd Howard has answered a collection of fan questions taken from the forums. The questions asked range from armor and inventory to children, non-human creatures and more. Check the list below for a quick run down. Oh, and Todd also released a few new screens too. Armor sets come in two pieces, body and head Inventory limit is based on weight Children and essential NPC's are unkillable Good/Evil karma system relating to in-game choices Crimes committed against specific groups are known to all in the group throughout the game world NPC's navigate via a mesh instead of via a point to point system like in Oblivion and Morrowind Like Oblivion the game uses a skill list and those skills determine maximum possible effectiveness in battle More after the break%Gallery-4995%
Fallout 3 producer finds Diablo 3 design 'conservative'
While the ballyhoo around Blizzard's announcement of Diablo 3 kept us all sleep deprived and glued to our screens this last weekend, some were left not as impressed as others. And by some, we mean Fallout 3 production director Ashley Cheng, who feels the series' third trip to the well is too 'conservative.' "I must say," wrote Cheng on his blog, "I am disappointed that Blizzard has stayed on the conservative side in terms of design with their updates to Diablo and Starcraft." However, he tempered his displeasure with a measure of excitement, writing that he "loved" the game's destructible environments and that the vaunted action RPG looks "pretty amazing." Even so, take heed, dear Blizzard. Try not to be so restrained when you finally get around to revisiting Starcraft: Ghost; we think casting Nova in a post-apocalyptic wasteland is a guaranteed way to win our hearts.
