[A Lo RIkIton'ton]

Don't know, I don't work with Obsidian
But I do know that they don't have more than a couple or so of the old guys there. Either way, thei've got the freedom to do whatever they want, with only the technology as limits.

Well, technology is the tricky part.
Blizzard has Boyarsky, and Tim Cain also is working with some MMO developer IIRC, and Taylor works or worked on Project V13. But, and that's a big 'but', Obsidian has got Avellone, who might very well be available for Vegas once Alpha Protocol is done, which is this fall, and Urquhart... Plus a bunch of the old programmers I figure, which kind of explains the reputation of Obsidian as those folks you can really rely on to crash you engine. ^_^

Still not sure about the "New Vegas" name, think it sounds like crap.

Think about the Rat Pack, some futuristic elements, good old casinos... Less crappy now? ^_^

[Travis]

All this nerd love for Obsidian by some members is embarrassing. I can only hope they don't change much and make a good game, but I'm not impressed with their previous work.

[Gemma Archer]

Hmm, I don't know how I feel about this.

On the one hand Obsidian could "Potentially" come up with deeper storylines and fleshed out companions/followers if they wanted to and I definately would like to see that. I don't really agree that Beth has bad writing, I feel they just don't develop (Story/characterwise) their stories and characters; as posted in an interview with a Beth dev, they sacrifice story for gameplay. This is a stance I don't agree with btw, I think there should be a balance between the two and is one of my biggest problems with every Beth game I ever played (Yes even Morrowind which I find ridiculously overrated).

But I don't really think that Beth has bad writing. Their ideas are good imo, the general developments of quests and backgrounds/personalities of their characters are solid for the most part. The problem is they simply don't expoand/elaborate/grow neither their stories or their characters much. This said however I very much love every Beth game from overrated Morrowind to black sheep Oblivion to mainstream Fallout 3.

As for Obsidian, some of their members might have been involved in making good or great games once upon a time, as much as some might argue Beth made great games when some around these boards claim Daggerfall or Morrowind were the pinnacle of everything good. But as far as Obsidian's performance since they actually became Obsidian has been less than stellar, actually right now they have about a 50/50 success ratio in many players opinions.

NWN2 was very good imo, even then many WoC video gamers hate this game because it wasn't BG2 incarnate. MotB was also pretty solid in its overall storyline and the PC's journey. The companions were, also about half and half in quality, both in the main game and in the expansion; the expansion companions did have lesser quality sidequests though and no banter so that's a minus (While I commend them also eliminating the cliche Elven love interest typical to this type of game, the already established character of Elanee should have been kept and allow to grow, they handled the removal poorly from the main game to the expansion and I did not like the substitue being a suddenly good Red Wizard that reminded me of that girl in Star Trek the motion picture). I did also hate the spirit eater mechanic of MotB because it didn't allow me time to truly explore the world as I like to do in RPGs because of the constant need to fill that dumb bar or I face endgame. This said, I enjoyed pretty well NWN2 and MotB overall and regard them pretty high on my RPG list. MotB also corrected one of my largest complaints of NWN2 which is the historically disappointing trend of Obsidian to make the worst of worst endings, so that also helped main NWN2 in my book. My problems with the games are minor compared to some others if I take these two together as a package. I haven't played Zethir but I read it was pretty bad, so that is a step backwards from what was accomplished with MotB.

But then there is also the convoluted, unfinished, unpolished, subpar written and developed abomination that was KotOR 2. I hate just about everything of this game except Darth Nihilus' appearance and overall character...and he lasted out of the 40-50+ or so ingame hours about 5 minutes in 2 cutscenes and the worst boss battle in history where I took him down with 2 hits in an unmodded game that I believed would be difficult. There is no saving grace for this game for me at all and that's how I was introduced to the "greatness" of Obsidian's writing. Horrible, horrible story and characters. Horrible, horrible ending. Even the graphics were actually worse than its predecessor. Well ok, Atton Rand actually turned out to be pretty cool even though he was the character most teased during development for his intitial appearance. But that's it Atton and Nihilus, everything else I continue to hate with a passion.

So having Obsidian do a Fallout game I'm just not sure. The fact that NWN2 came after KotOR 2 does give me hope that they actually are getting better and learning from their mistakes. Alpha Protocol looks very intriguing at this point and I have high expectations for it riding the coatails of NWN2, but then I thought the same during KotOR 2's development. So I'll probably approach Fallout New Vegas with careful optimism.

[Rachael Williams]

Okay this game will be released on PC, XBox360 and the PS3. As such which one of Obsidian's engines do you think will work on all of these systems by 2010? Not Van Buren. I'm sure it's pretty safe to assume it will be Gamebryo, Fallout 3's engine.

Bethesda are a publisher, do you think that Bethesda will allow another developer to create the game and another publisher to entirely publish the game? No, I think Bethesda will be working with Obsidian to make sure they release a quality game within a set time frame.

So I expect the gameplay to be very similar to Fallout 3 in terms of combat.

[kennedy]

Didn't play the origionals but sounds good

Oh god I don't even want to imagine how horrible that would turn out. Of course, it could of been handed to someone even worse (Hideo Kojima.)

For making fun of Hideo, you are on my list

[Kaley X]

That's what I was thinking too, part of Van Buren was going to be set in Nevada so Obsidian may very well be developing Van Buren (on a smaller scale) in the Game Bryo engine for this "spin off". I'm looking forward to learning more regardless.

Rather doubtful, since a recreation of Van Buren's plot would require a much bigger game than what New Vegas is likely going to be. Although maybe if New Vegas does well, they might get contracted with a bigger project that could do Van Buren justice?

I do hope, however, that the game will have lots of references to the events, locations and characters from Van Buren, so that they'll at the very least be made officially canon. Maybe e.g. Caesar's Legion could appear? Daughters of Hecate? References to the NCR-BOS war? Characters from the nearby and NCR-run Hoover Dam?

As for Obsidian, some of their members might have been involved in making good or great games once upon a time, as much as some might argue Beth made great games when some around these boards claim Daggerfall or Morrowind were the pinnacle of everything good.

Bethesda has fewer Daggerfall developers than Obsidian has FO1 and 2 devs.

Okay this game will be released on PC, XBox360 and the PS3. As such which one of Obsidian's engines do you think will work on all of these systems by 2010? Not Van Buren. I'm sure it's pretty safe to assume it will be Gamebryo, Fallout 3's engine.

Yes, it's pretty certain that to make it in a year, they'll have to use FO3 engine and many of FO3's assets. Just like FO2 used lots of FO1's and was also made in a year or so.

[Kortniie Dumont]

As such which one of Obsidian's engines do you think will work on all of these systems by 2010?

Onyx, Obsidian's new in-house engine, would work.

[Charlotte X]

I just dropped in to register/say hello. For now, all inquiries about the project should go through Bethesda/Pete Hines.

Congratulations.. Definately looking forward to it... :fallout:

[KIng James]

I love Obsidian and the fantastic effort and attention to detail they put in their games... but "New Vegas?" Wouldn't "Nuevo Vegas" have been more appropiate and not to mention snappier?

[Pixie]

But then there is also the convoluted, unfinished, unpolished, subpar written and developed abomination that was KotOR 2. I hate just about everything of this game except Darth Nihilus' appearance and overall character...and he lasted out of the 40-50+ or so ingame hours about 5 minutes in 2 cutscenes and the worst boss battle in history where I took him down with 2 hits in an unmodded game that I believed would be difficult. There is no saving grace for this game for me at all and that's how I was introduced to the "greatness" of Obsidian's writing. Horrible, horrible story and characters. Horrible, horrible ending. Even the graphics were actually worse than its predecessor. Well ok, Atton Rand actually turned out to be pretty cool even though he was the character most teased during development for his intitial appearance. But that's it Atton and Nihilus, everything else I continue to hate with a passion.

Blame LucasArts for this, not Obsidian Entertainment.

[Leah]

Blame LucasArts for this, not Obsidian Entertainment.

Aye, KoTOR2 was an unfortunate case of publisher panic. Obsidian were going for something truly epic but LucasArts just wanted another cash cow and they wanted it quickly. Neverwinter Nights 2 is probably a more accurate example of rounded writing. The engine may have been a bit rough around the edges at first (although it should be mentioned that 99% of the issues have been ironed out through patches and post-release support) but the writing was truly something.

[Ernesto Salinas]

...all inquiries about the project should go through Bethesda/Pete Hines.

Bah, I want to hear from you and the rest of Obsidian - not them.

[Kate Norris]

There's quite a bit of fan-boy style comments in this thread about how people hope that Obsidian are going to be recreating the Fallout's of old or that maybe they're finishing Van Buren or using their own engine, making it isometric etc. etc.

Thing is, this game is most probably going to ship around the end of next year (Oct/Nov 2010) and something that hasn't been mentioned so far by anyone is that it's coming out on the 360 and PS3 as well.......this game in all likelihood won't be a hardcoe Fallout fans wet dream. To come out on console means they're going to have to appeal to the mass market consumer - like Fallout 3/Mass Effect did and Obsidian's own Alpha Protocol seems to be doing.

The only thing I'm a bit apprehensive about is simply because of Obsidian's current track record. Let's be honest, KOTOR II was a broken mess - even though I enjoyed playing it and was glad that it lasted longer than KOTOR. NWN2 didn't grab me like the first one and I didn't even get halfway through it before I started playing something else. And the Aliens game has been cancelled/put on hold...why? Everyone knows that a 'decent' Aliens game would sell by the bucket load. On the flipside of that though, I loved Planescape, Icewind Dale and Fallout 1&2 (and shock, horror...I loved Fallout 3 as well!).

All I know is that until someone shows us the game for the first time, everything is just speculation. I just hope that if they're using the F3 engine they sort out the NPC animation and facial animation. Also, having the game world continue to run in the background while I'm talking to people instead of freeze would be nice. Oh and NPC's I try to talk to who are in a combat situation should tell me to [censored] off until the fighting has finished.

[Krystal Wilson]

All I know is that until someone shows us the game for the first time, everything is just speculation. I just hope that if they're using the F3 engine they sort out the NPC animation and facial animation. Also, having the game world continue to run in the background while I'm talking to people instead of freeze would be nice. Oh and NPC's I try to talk to who are in a combat situation should tell me to [censored] off until the fighting has finished.

I always thought that the fact you could talk to NPCs in combat was that the NPCs had alot of bugs and not a lack of oversight for the fact it's stupid(Sorta of the same thing but I think you get the point).

[Ally Chimienti]

I just hope Obsidian won't mess up the ending of the game this time. The endings of NWN2 & KOTOR2 almost made me put my game discs in a toaster.

[Charleigh Anderson]

I just hope Obsidian won't mess up the ending of the game this time. The endings of NWN2 & KOTOR2 almost made me put my game discs in a toaster.

MoTB wasn't that much better unfortunately...

[Yvonne]

I just hope Obsidian won't mess up the ending of the game this time. The endings of NWN2 & KOTOR2 almost made me put my game discs in a toaster.

They might not be that good, but they're at least better than the Fallout 3 ending.

Thing is, this game is most probably going to ship around the end of next year (Oct/Nov 2010) and something that hasn't been mentioned so far by anyone is that it's coming out on the 360 and PS3 as well.......this game in all likelihood won't be a hardcoe Fallout fans wet dream. To come out on console means they're going to have to appeal to the mass market consumer - like Fallout 3/Mass Effect did and Obsidian's own Alpha Protocol seems to be doing.

Sure, it won't be a hardcoe Fallout game, but it will likely be at least better written than Bethesda's Fallout 3.

MoTB wasn't that much better unfortunately...

But it was.

By the way, a question to mods: any chance for a separate board for New Vegas?

[Jade MacSpade]

The PS3 is always an afterthought. Whenever a game is sold on more than one platform, Microsoft comes along and buys exclusivity rights and so forth. Since you clearly have a computer, and can afford a PS3, if I were you i'd just put some money away bit by bit and save up enough to upgrade your PC. Problem solved.

Im using my Ps3 on these forums, It is likely that many people who are Ps3 users are using it on these forums.

[Shannon Lockwood]

They might not be that good, but they're at least better than the Fallout 3 ending.

After defeating the final 'boss' one gets a black screen followed by a cutscene. Can't see much difference with Fallout 3.

[evelina c]

After defeating the final 'boss' one gets a black screen followed by a cutscene. Can't see much difference with Fallout 3.

With Fallout 3, I did at least expect a final slideshow with narration of how my actions influenced the various places and people I came across, like in FO1 and 2. And NWN2 did include the outcomes of your various actions in the final narration, unlike FO3. Same with MotB and KOTOR2. You learn the fate of the planets you've touched and of the party members who've traveled with you.

[Erika Ellsworth]

This is definitely good news, although I'm apprehensive about Obsidian's involvement. Hopefully their work will be more along the level of "Neverwinter Nights 2" and not "Knights of the Old Republic 2."

I also loved Feargus Urquhart's quote (prophetic considering it came before Fallout 3's release): "...there is almost nothing that they can do that will make the Fallout fans happy." Seeing all of the whining on the boards, the man really hit the nail on the head.

[Lillian Cawfield]

Im using my Ps3 on these forums, It is likely that many people who are Ps3 users are using it on these forums.

So your internet connection only exists for your Playstation?

[Jordyn Youngman]

By the way, a question to mods: any chance for a separate board for New Vegas?

At this point I don't think enough has been released to warrant a separate forum.

[Lakyn Ellery]

'sup dudes?

tsk tsk, you forgot the dudettes


<3 JE

[BethanyRhain]

Thing is, this game is most probably going to ship around the end of next year (Oct/Nov 2010) and something that hasn't been mentioned so far by anyone is that it's coming out on the 360 and PS3 as well.......this game in all likelihood won't be a hardcoe Fallout fans wet dream. To come out on console means they're going to have to appeal to the mass market consumer - like Fallout 3/Mass Effect did and Obsidian's own Alpha Protocol seems to be doing.

Sure, it won't be a hardcoe Fallout game, but it will likely be at least better written than Bethesda's Fallout 3.

I'll reserve my judgement on that until I see what Obsidian have done with Alpha Protocol, from what I've seen of the game on the net and on a British show called Playr it looks a bit crap if you ask me - yet another American undercover agent game...yawn. It's as if there are no other countries in the world that have special forces or undercover agents. I'd love a game based on a British Army Corps / Army Commando unit / Royal Marines / SAS / SBS etc. or actually any other nationality apart from American for a change (I'm being a bit biased with the British Army coz I used to be in it!).

Anyway, I don't really think I've seen any better writing from Obsidian with KOTOR II / NWN2 than I've seen from Bethesda. Games don't really have thousands of lines of written dialogue anymore like in the Baldur's Gate / Planescape / Fallout days, Alpha Protocol's voice acting seems a bit wooden to me. Mind you, I don't think you could get any worse than Fallout 3's voice acting either.