» Wed May 11, 2011 2:00 am Hello. I'm Expresate. Does the above sound like something you would agree with? Yes? Well, then you've come to the right place. Let me start off by saying that this guide is purely helpful. There is no malicious intent and only minuscule amounts of sarcasm. I'm here to help you realize exactly how much re-playability Fallout: New Vegas has.
Let's start with the big question. Why did Obsidian decide to put a definite ending in New Vegas? Lead developer Josh Sawyer explains:
"We put a lot of effort into the ending slides -- we know those slides are really popular with people so we want to make sure there's a huge amount of variety and reactivity with that stuff. We weren't really focused on new features so much as to add a really rich sense of reactivity to the players and the choices they make."
We want to make it a definitive ending. Initially, we talked about trying to support post-game play, but because the changes that can happen at the end of the game are pretty major, this is what it basically came down to: either have the changes feel really major in the end slides and then have them not be very major after the end of the game, or make them really minor and not that impactful. And we feel it's better to say, 'you know what, we're just going to end the game, and the changes you made can be minor or really really big, but because we can't script all the changes to the Wasteland to let you keep playing, we're just going to stop it there.' But we do let the player know when that's about to happen-- a sort of, 'the end of the game is coming, so we're saving your game right now, so if you want to keep your game going, you can, otherwise, it's about to be over.'"
Whether you decide to try to finish every quest in the game before the end, or simply end the game and go look for additional quest in new playthroughs, you're probably going to be busy. Sawyer noted, "We have a huge number of quests in this game. We've often said this is the same physical size as Fallout 3, which is true, but the amount of quest content is crazy."
We want to make it a definitive ending. Initially, we talked about trying to support post-game play, but because the changes that can happen at the end of the game are pretty major, this is what it basically came down to: either have the changes feel really major in the end slides and then have them not be very major after the end of the game, or make them really minor and not that impactful. And we feel it's better to say, 'you know what, we're just going to end the game, and the changes you made can be minor or really really big, but because we can't script all the changes to the Wasteland to let you keep playing, we're just going to stop it there.' But we do let the player know when that's about to happen-- a sort of, 'the end of the game is coming, so we're saving your game right now, so if you want to keep your game going, you can, otherwise, it's about to be over.'"
Whether you decide to try to finish every quest in the game before the end, or simply end the game and go look for additional quest in new playthroughs, you're probably going to be busy. Sawyer noted, "We have a huge number of quests in this game. We've often said this is the same physical size as Fallout 3, which is true, but the amount of quest content is crazy."
"But Expresate, I only want to do everything the game has to offer on my one favorite character. Is that so wrong?"
No Little Timmy. It is in fact not wrong. It's just part of human nature to be able to gain that sweet, sweet accomplished feeling after completing something fully. However, sometimes that's just not possible. You see, Fallout: New Vegas has a host of quests for the player to complete. As well as four possible main campaigns. Obviously you can't do all four campaigns at the same time. Most of the quests in the game feature a variety of possible endings. There's also the point that New Vegas also takes full use of the idea of consequences. Did you kill that Khan up on the cross just to steal his outfit? Well, you see Timmy, he was part of a fairly large quest. However, now that he's dead you can't complete that quest. This should become known to you once you see that you've failed aforementioned quest. You see, Timmy? Sometimes life is actually about being responsible for your actions!
"Alright, well fine. But what if I just want to go screw around after the credits roll?"
Wouldn't we all love to, Timmy. However, you may have noticed that the ending of the game tells you the overall outcome of your Courier's accomplishments. Playing the game after the credits wouldn't allow you to experience any of those. It would be as if you've done nothing. Remember The Pitt? Remember how the slaves just stayed in their depressed state and continued to work even after their overlord was killed? How exciting was that? Did you have that accomplished feeling? I know I didn't. It felt as though my entire visit had been ignored.
"But I would still be able to play!"
Yes, yes you would Timmy. But wouldn't you also be able to play if you, say, started a new character?
"But I don't want to do everything again."
Oh, don't worry, son. As mentioned before, New Vegas is host to all sorts of choices. It's very possible to start that new character and have a completely fresh experience when it comes to a lot of quests and dialogue! Not to mention that putting your skill points in skills you haven't before can lead to a completely different playstyle! There are 180 quests in New Vegas, Timmy! Go out and explore with this new character and see how your new play style holds up!
"Oh, alright. I may get it now. Thanks, Mr. Expresate!"
No problem, Timmy, and remember; in New Vegas, the choice is yours!
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Unfortunately, Timmy Applebottom was severely wounded after he had the misfortune to hit his baseball into old Mr. Weezer's apartment window. Sir Not Appearing In This Text will be filling the role.
Hello, friends! We seem to have had some suggestions for additions to this guide. Isn't that right, Sir Not Appearing In This Text?
"....."
Haha, yes! I couldn't have said it better myself! Now, without further Adieu:
Pre-Ending warning: As you neared the end you may have noticed a text box pop up and disrupt your shenannigans. What is this text box you ask?
"....."
No, no it's not. It's actually a warning that shows you the game is about to end! You are given the option to say you're not ready to move on. This is perfect for those of you who are nowhere near ready to end the game. Want to finish those last few missions? Start a few more? Make friends, lose friends, and wake up naked in an alleyway? Well, here's your chance!
Game Endings and Their Role in the Gaming Industry: I've been asked lately, "Mr. Expresate, as you traveled all throughout the Sahara desert rescuing damsels, and discovering priceless artifacts, did it ever occur to you where Obsidian got the idea to do a definite end?" Why certainly it has! You see, kids, definite endings are widespread. They're the most common type of ending! In fact, open endings weren't even a Fallout feature until Fallout 3's Broken Steel! Now I'm not saying you couldn't find them. A perfect example is one possible ending in Fallout 2. That's the game before Fallout 3 in case you're wondering. However, Fallout 2's open ending wasn't assured. It only happened if you made the right choices and would end after a certain amount of time. So this "radical" idea of a closed ending isn't so radical, after all! Neat, huh? I think it's safe to say that the large majority of games you may own do, in fact, end!
Nifty links:
PC Mods
http://newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35450
http://newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34811
