[The Time Car]

I can't think of any ideas right now, but if Obsidian's making this game, it is definitely going to be very good.

[Neliel Kudoh]

Gizmo, motb is sublime. It's one of the must play rpgs of the last five yrs. Some criticize the spirit eater mechanic but it really adds a new layer to the tried formula. It's a matter of taste, I guess.

Mmm. I very much agree. Really the pinnacle of Obsidian's work so far, and despite the criticisms of Obsidian's tendency toward bugs, Mask of the Betrayer was very polished and deep. Other than the Witcher, it's the only halfway decent RPG I've played...well since NWN2 came out in 2006.

If anyone wants to understand the deep, unfathomable chasm separating the writing quality of Bethesda's games and Obsidian's...play Mask of the Betrayer (heck, play KotOR II for that matter).

That's really all I will allow myself to expect from Fallout: New Vegas. AAA writing. The rest will probably be more like Fallout 3 if I had to guess...

[Pat RiMsey]

Gamebryo is getting old, it's a shame they won't have a new one for this game.

I really hope it's a new or different engine, Gamebryo is a buggy piece of garbage. The only thing it has going for it over other engines is the massive environments.

[john palmer]

I don't think they would have time to switch engines, if they want it out by 2010.

[JD bernal]

I think they might be putting themselves into an unwinnable situation, unless its a 3D isometric version of FO1 the hard core [censored] wont be happy, and if its that 99% of the game buyers wont buy it.

[Kate Norris]

Also, thanks Bethesda for having the balls to try this.

I wouldn't call it balls, alot more is forgivable if things go wrong when you're dealing with a spin-off leased to another company. Take Fallout Tactics for example, it was a spin-off that did exactly what it said on the box, and it was developed mostly by Micro Fort?, as a Tactical game it was a success, but the deviation from the series alienated some fans. But all this was forgivable because of the circumstances (although I really like Tactics for what it is, regardless of the non-existing RP aspect). If some fans don't like the NV rendition, then Beth can point the finger at Obsidian and stress it was a spin-off. Bt I don't think it will come to that, provided Obsidian are given room to work, they'll come up aces.

[Kayleigh Mcneil]

I like the Fallout 3 engine, so I can't wait to play this game. I hope Fallout: New Vegas gets some DLC too.

According to the interview with Pete, Obsidian is making this game without Bethesda set guidelines so although little is known at this point I can tell two things that are a given.

1) It will not be made on the Fallout Gamebryo engine. Obsidian has their own engine that is nearly certain.

2) It will not be enough like a Bethesda RPG to threaten Bethesda's market.

I do truly hope that this fills the gap for fallout fans that were left wanting by FO3 and I am pretty sure that is exactly what Bethesda wants too.

[Chavala]

I think they might be putting themselves into an unwinnable situation, unless its a 3D isometric version of FO1 the hard core [censored] wont be happy, and if its that 99% of the game buyers wont buy it.

Not really. The overwhelming opinion so far seems to be that this is the best thing to happen to the Fallout series since Fallout 2. I think the hardcoe fallout fans are more tolerant of the idea of Obsidian handling the IP and the fact that it isn't going to be considered a direct sequel but rather a spinoff. Really, they said just as much during Fallout 3's development, had the game not been developed as a direct sequel they would have more likely supported it.

Sure there's still a very strong desire for the old game mechanics, but I think the mere fact that Obsidian will be developing this game as a non-direct sequel will allow for more acceptance. There's still a huge lack of trust toward Bethesda though, and a lot of cynicism about whether Bethesda will give Obsidian free reign.

[Stay-C]

Not really. The overwhelming opinion so far seems to be that this is the best thing to happen to the Fallout series since Fallout 2. I think the hardcoe fallout fans are more tolerant of the idea of Obsidian handling the IP and the fact that it isn't going to be considered a direct sequel but rather a spinoff. Really, they said just as much during Fallout 3's development, had the game not been developed as a direct sequel they would have more likely supported it.

Sure there's still a very strong desire for the old game mechanics, but I think the mere fact that Obsidian will be developing this game as a non-direct sequel will allow for more acceptance.There's still a huge lack of trust toward Bethesda though, and a lot of cynicism about whether Bethesda will give Obsidian free reign.

Well, who is a hardcoe Fallout fan? Is it he who is the hardest to please that becomes the hardcoe? Is it the arrogant [censored]tard that wont ever be happy unless the project is fronted and endorsed by none other than Interplay? I'm a long time fan of Fallout, I know alot about the series prior, and I involve myself in FO3 as far as I can without playing it (anymore). I was cautious when I heard another company was developing FO3, but I never knocked it and I bought the game and played it as soon as I was able. I didn't knock it or complain just because it was in the hands of another company, I just didn't enjoy the new rendition once I cut through the gloss. I'm happy enough that Obsidian are getting a chance to make a Fallout game of their own in 2009, and I hope they are given the creative control to make something special. Whether that makes me 'hardcoe' or not isn't really what it comes down to. I'm just smart enough to know a good move when I see it, I think. And yes Beth have wavered my trust in them as a company, although not knowing of them prior to FO3 means I had little trust to begin with. Yes I'm skeptical, but not cynical, I'll watch and wait.

[maddison]

im not sure what to make of the news,i dont mind TES and fallout 3,i enjoyed them in their own way,but i find this move to be entirely bizzare. obviously this is not Fallout 4....ok. well personally i would have preferred this news to be of the "threes" baldurs gate 3 etc... i find this news to be very unsettling because the team that originally should have gotten the fallout rights now gets to play around with some funky spin off game while bethesda keeps making the core cannon games...? uh.....ok..?

[Juan Cerda]

Well, who is a hardcoe Fallout fan?

Good question. I played Fallout 1 and 2 and loved them, I'm also a fan of Daggerfall and Morrowind, loved them also. I lobbied here for Fallout 3 to follow the model of Fallout 1/2, especially after the way Oblivion turned out. But despite that I love Fallout 3 in its current form (even if I still say Obsidian is capable of better writing). So I don't consider myself a 'hardcoe' Fallout fan. It's a hard thing to define I guess.

My point though is that because Fallout: New Vegas isn't a direct sequel, and because it's being developed by Obsidian, it's more likely to garner support from 'the Fallout community that existed prior to Fallout 3' (maybe that's a better phrase to use, just too long). It's certainly better than what has happened in the past and how this situation could have turned out ("Hey Peter Molyneux, come develop this game for us!")

[Roddy]

im not sure what to make of the news,i dont mind TES and fallout 3,i enjoyed them in their own way,but i find this move to be entirely bizzare. obviously this is not Fallout 4....ok. well personally i would have preferred this news to be of the "threes" baldurs gate 3 etc... i find this news to be very unsettling because the team that originally should have gotten the fallout rights now gets to play around with some funky spin off game while bethesda keeps making the core cannon games...? uh.....ok..?

It's not that complicated. Black Isle used to be a division on Interplay, who worked on the original Fallouts. Herve Caen put Iplay in a load of crap, and they got rid of the Black Isle division, and eventually sold the Fallout franchise which was bought by Bethesda, who currently own it. The boys from Black Isle setup other companies like Troika, and some have now settled with Obsidian, whom Bethesda is now leasing a spin-off for development. The reason? Likely to bridge a gap between older fans of the franchise that were alienated by FO3. But intentions will become clearer as time goes on.

Good question. I played Fallout 1 and 2 and loved them, I'm also a fan of Daggerfall and Morrowind, loved them also. I lobbied here for Fallout 3 to follow the model of Fallout 1/2, especially after the way Oblivion turned out. But despite that I love Fallout 3 in its current form (even if I still say Obsidian is capable of better writing). So I don't consider myself a 'hardcoe' Fallout fan. It's a hard thing to define I guess.

My point though is that because Fallout: New Vegas isn't a direct sequel, and because it's being developed by Obsidian, it's more likely to garner support from 'the Fallout community that existed prior to Fallout 3' (maybe that's a better phrase to use, just too long). It's certainly better than what has happened in the past and how this situation could have turned out ("Hey Peter Molyneux, come develop this game for us!")

That's fair, just when people mention 'hardcoe' gamers it's easy to invision an elitist bigot that foams at the mouth as soon as you utter the name of a title they flagged as blasphemous because it's not being developed by the original company who are the ultimate masters of everything to do with whichever respective series is under their 'righteous' scrutiny. But I agree, this news is alot more appealing to me as a former Black Isle fan, based what they did with games like Fallout and Baldur's gate.

[Kelly Upshall]

i dont get it, is it fallout? they said it would be different, but is it the fallout game?

[Madison Poo]

("Hey Peter Molyneux, come develop this game for us!")

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.)

[Jade]

Here's a theory - Maybe Obsidian will just be finishing Van Buren. IIRC Van Buren was pretty much close to being finished and a lot of the peeps who were working on it now work at Obsidian and are thus familiar with that engine. I can't see any studio completing a full fledged stand-alone game, for 3 different platforms, on an unfamiliar engine, within a years time(I don't think Obsidian has ever used the Gamebryo engine). I also recall that when Bethesda bought the IP, everything, including the hard drives with all completed work for Van Buren were turned over to them.

From a Big Wig standpoint it would really be a win win situation because with very little monetary output Bethesda can reap a large chunk of the profits while being a "nice guy" by giving some of the original developers a 2nd chance at finishing their project. A completed Van Buren would almost certainly not tank with such a quick release on the coat tails of of FO3, and even if it did tank the loss would be minimal as Black Isle already footed the bill for most of the production costs. In the unlikely tanking scenario all blame could easily be pushed off onto Obsidian without Bethesda breaking stride.

Does this sound plausible, or are my tinfoil underoos just riding into my crack again???

[Mandy Muir]

i understand the history lesson i played the originals when they came out and watched interplay go down.... i just find the idea of obsidian doing a "spinoff" a bit weird personally.

[Taylor Bakos]

i dont get it, is it fallout? they said it would be different, but is it the fallout game?

the game is currently known as Fallout: New Vegas. It is assumed to be a Fallout game based in Vegas, this is fair conjecture.

Here's a theory - Maybe Obsidian will just be finishing Van Buren. IIRC Van Buren was pretty much close to being finished and a lot of the peeps who were working on it now work at Obsidian and are thus familiar with that engine. I can't see any studio completing a full fledged stand-alone game, for 3 different platforms, on an unfamiliar engine, within a years time(I don't think Obsidian has ever used the Gamebryo engine). I also recall that when Bethesda bought the IP, everything, including the hard drives with all completed work for Van Buren were turned over to them.

From a Big Wig standpoint it would really be a win win situation because with very little monetary output Bethesda can reap a large chunk of the profits while being a "nice guy" by giving some of the original developers a 2nd chance at finishing their project. A completed Van Buren would almost certainly not tank with such a quick release on the coat tails of of FO3, and even if it did tank the loss would be minimal as Black Isle already footed the bill for most of the production costs. In the unlikely tanking scenario all blame could easily be pushed off onto Obsidian without Bethesda breaking stride.

Does this sound plausible, or are my tinfoil underoos just riding into my crack again???

That sounds more than entirely plausible, though I want to avoid getting my hopes up about a Van Buren revival, full or partial. Quite simply, it sounds too good to be true..much like FO3 (couldn't help it guys, don't rail on me ).

i understand the history lesson i played the originals when they came out and watched interplay go down.... i just find the idea of obsidian doing a "spinoff" a bit weird personally.

Weird how? Because it's come full circle to back to where it began (more or less)? It sounds exciting to me at the very least. I am prepared to embrace this move. Put it this way, I was alot more nervous when I heard FO3 was in the hands of a company I had never heard of.

[Michelle Serenity Boss]

*snip* including the hard drives with all completed work for Van Buren were turned over to them.
*snip*

Where did you hear that. That's the first I have heard of current work being turned over at the time of sale.. Mind linking a source?

[Emily abigail Villarreal]

.... Gamebryo is a buggy piece of garbage. The only thing it has going for it over other engines is the massive environments.

I disagree, I rather like it (though not how it was used in this case). Also, I've certainly played around in the GECK more than twice the time I've spent playing Fallout 3.

I think the hardcoe fallout fans are more tolerant of the idea of Obsidian handling the IP and the fact that it isn't going to be considered a direct sequel but rather a spinoff.

IMO [if it turns out to be Fallout 3 in Vegas] then "no".... Obsidian does not have Bethesda's exuse.
~They should know better; Bethesda just went with their gut feeling, and I can't really blame them much.

[ezra]

This is looking to be an amazing game. Vegas ticks all the boxes, its a world class city, with lots of great recognisable lanmarks (although not all of them will be from the modern world, a lot of the casinos we know are rather modern...), and theres the option to include the old canon well.

My only major concern is that "New Vegas" may look a little too much like "New Reno".

[Anna Watts]

It is nice to know that WHATEVER 'New Vegas' is, that the studio has members of the OG Black Isle. It's even reassuring that Pete Hines said that this will have no impact on whatever Howard & Co. are working on. And Im all for another game set in the universe of Fallout!
Having said that.....
In the article I read on Kotaku:"It will be the same sort of role-playing game experience seen in Fallout 3, he said." (He=Hines) Does this mean there just using the same engine and stuff Bethesda used (With obviously tweaks to suit there purpose)? I hope to high Hell 'New Vegas' dont turn out like that PS2 P.O.S. 'B.O.S.', but it already doesnt seem that way.
Im curious however....I thought Bethesda owned the rights to Fallout now, so....did they approach Obsidian and ask them if they wanted to make a game, Or did Obsidian approach Bethesda with the idea?

[Fluffer]

IMO [if it turns out to be Fallout 3 in Vegas] then "no".... Obsidian does not have Bethesda's exuse.
~They should know better; Bethesda just went with their gut feeling, and I can't really blame them much.

I would agree with you if this were a case of Obsidian having complete creative control, but it's not. If it does turn out to be Fallout 3 in Vegas (which I think is likely) with the caveat of quality writing (something sorely lacking at Bethesda) combined with the fact that it's a spinoff and not a direct sequel...I don't know, I'm just not sensing the same level of indignation that was here for Fallout 3. I remember back in 2004 when Bethesda first got the got the rights to develop Fallout 3, 4, and 5...compare that to now, there's more implied trust for Obsidian handling the IP tempered by the realization that Bethesda is still in charge.

Im curious however....I thought Bethesda owned the rights to Fallout now, so....did they approach Obsidian and ask them if they wanted to make a game, Or did Obsidian approach Bethesda with the idea?

Bethesda approached Obsidian, for whatever that's worth.

[^_^]

these are spin off games,side stories etc. its not a sequel so i wouldn't call it full circle. i get it,the IP in some form is in the hands of its original creators again,good news i agree. ill be more forgiving of it if it simply doesn't turn into one large FO3 expansion pack if you will (not literally of course). but what if its a mature game again with groin shots,prostitution mechanics that are turn based etc.... who is going to want to play "fallout 4" created by bethesda? to me it should be all or nothing with this,either make it a full blown sequel or don't do it at all.

[kat no x]

In the article I read on Kotaku:"It will be the same sort of role-playing game experience seen in Fallout 3,

Hmmm....that seems to lend credibility to the Van Buren revival theory because as many know it was going to be a real time FPP rpg similar to FO3.

[sarah]

Bethesda approached Obsidian, for whatever that's worth.

Ya the way I understood it, Beth approached Obs and asked if they would like to pitch them a fallout spin