Fallout 3

What PC Gamer wants from Fallout 4 + a bit of speculation

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As Bethesda Game Studios finishes up with Skyrim and moves onto the production of its next shiny thing, PC Gamer has a wishlist of things that they want Bethesda to do better for Fallout 4 (as compared with Fallout 3).

There’s some scuttlebutt regarding a new Fallout floating around the internet: the radioactive smoke is curling up from the burning, irradiated embers. Bethesda have been registering names, and the in-game DJ’s voice actor has promised more from him. Could it be? Is it possible?


Not only is it possible but it's likely that Fallout 4 could be scheduled for a release in October/November 2014. The next Xbox console (which we all know the game will primarily be targetting) is likely to arrive in 2014 according to Kotaku. A roughly three year game development schedule is consistent for Bethesda (Morrowind 2002, Oblivion 2006, Fallout 3 2008, Skyrim 2011, Fallout 4 2014). Finally the latter part of the year has been the general release date for both Fallout 3 and Skyrim, and Oblivion was originally scheduled to launch in late 2005 before being delayed.

Some of PC Gamer's suggestions are below:

Livelier roads, cities, and towns. There’s a reason these things pop up time and time again on the Fallout mod sites. It’s a basic incompatibility at the heart of Bethesda’s game: most games are a bit more fun with a livelier world, but the world of Fallout follows on from the razing of the human race. Bethesda tend to err on the side of caution with this, though tech issues are probably to blame for the rather empty casinos of New Vegas, but creating a world means populating it, and the mods that add new travelers and people still do that without impacting the overall feeling of loneliness. As it is,the roads of the Wasteland are a bit too quiet for the game they’re part of.

Make it about survival. In Bethesda’s hands, the Wasteland is fun. By the middle of a run through you’re clobbering Deathclaws with concrete capped rebars and sipping irradiated water without a care in the world. Possibly with a pinkie out. The point being is that the notion of survival becomes obsolete in a world dripped in caps to find, traders to sell to, and junk to collect. New Vegas has hardcore mode, forcing you to think about food, water, and rest, as well as altering the way meds and stimpaks work, but it’s still a world that can easily and comfortably be lived in. It needn’t be the main difficulty level, but the option to make the world a harsh place to live, to make the players think about every move, not just their weapon and perk choices, would give the ashy flavour of survival.

Bethesda’s Design, Obsidian’s Characters. There I was, wandering beneath a line-up of broken satellite dishes, looking for things to do when I spied a door. What could be behind it? A gang of gangers? A terrified NPC? A few steps towards it, a glance around to make sure there was nothing sneaking up. I popped the door. Behind it was a wall with “Fuck You” written on it. Bethesda’s worlds tend to be packed with detail, big and small. They’re places to live in and enjoy, and just brilliant places to explore. Their characters, however, are a lot less engaging. Obsidian’s take on New Vegas was packed with morally dubious Wastelanders with dark stories. Acquiring Boone as a follower, for example, meant leading a person out into a field for the deranged sniper to shoot. That’s dark enough, but as a player you could happily lead an innocent into Boone’s sights. Somewhere in the middle of Fallout 3 and New Vegas is the sweet spot they should be aiming for: dark, compelling characters in a curated world.


Read the rest at PC Gamer.

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  1. Redbeard007
    Redbeard007
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    My hopes and wishes for all future games from Fallout all the way through The Elder Scrolls;Skyrim and beyond be out-of-the-box compatible with high-end graphics capabilities and control features without the need to immediately add-in additional graphics packages to 'enhance' appearances and features.
     
    That is a mouthful but still the fact is stated.
     
  2. Shidentora
    Shidentora
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    Classic weapons.
    Classic critters.                                           
    Classic (Brian Fargo's) music.  
    Tesla class energy weapons.
    Classic surrounding.
    Classic architecture (you have plenty photos at deviantart.com and plenty modding resources at Fallout Nexus.com).
    Put us back in California.
    Give us (also) sandy ground.
    All the FONV features (weapon mods), crafting, optional hardcore mod...
    Cities from FO and FO2.
    Revival of classic story from FO1/FO2 (as a possible game start..?)
    As for weapon mods: You give us a a scope mod for 9 mili pistol, but you don't give it for 10 mili pistol? C'mon, ppl.
    Bring them all! BoS, Enclave, NCR, Muties, Legion... Aliens?
    And the most important thing... To be done as caringly and as flawlessly as possible. No stuff like: "The deadline approaches, let's release it as it is..." NO. You want it to be popular?
    Do YOU - yes - YOU, the Developers, really mean it? Do YOU really want FO4 to WIN OUR HEARTS? Then  MAKE IT SUCH. Adjust the deadline to the game making progress, NOT vice versa.
    Am absolutely sure many ppl agree. Absolutely sure.
     
  3. lunaticorlover
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    I just hope Bethesda plans on following in the tracks Obsidian laid. Fleshed out companions were a major plus compared to the weak ass ones from Fallout 3. The throwbacks to Fallout 1 and 2 (especially 2) were really great and made the game actually feel like part of the Fallout series, rather than some kind of bizarre offshoot the way Fallout 3 was. Gay characters, especially badass ones like Veronica and Arcade, were really refreshing to see in a video game, so I hope they keep that trend up as well. And most importantly--remembering that this is an RPG! Bethesda has a habit of forcing you into a role (i.e. the 19 year old child of a vault doctor) when you may want to play your story differently, to make it unique and your own. The less the game imposes on you, the better--that's what I liked about New Vegas. The only set in stone thing about you upon starting the game was your job.
     
    Of course I have my specific preferences (I really hope Tabitha and Rhonda make a return and I never want to see BoS or Enclave again) but in general I'd just like them to continue with what Obsidian laid out. Keep up with the lore, keep up with fully formed characters, and keep pushing the envelope.
  4. cccddd123
    cccddd123
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    Just put dual wielding and i'll be gold with that. The rest we can mod to compensate. Hopefully we won't have to spend so much time restoring content because of xbox limited technology, since the new one will be more powerful. The only thing is if they change engine. I mean, took me some time but i understand geck now, if they change the whole thing i just hope the sdk is noob-friendly like the geck.
  5. Shidentora
    Shidentora
    • member
    • 13 kudos
    Classic weapons.
    Classic critters.
    Classic (Brian Fargo's) music / chose it as one of the soundtracks.
    Tesla class energy weapons.
    Classic surrounding.
    Classic architecture (you have plenty photos at deviantart.com and plenty modding resources at Fallout Nexus.com).
    Put us back in California.
    Give us (also) sandy ground.
    All the FONV features (weapon mods, crafting, optional hardcore mod)...
    Cities from FO and FO2.
    Revival of classic story from FO1/FO2 (as a possible game start..?)
    As for weapon mods: You give us a a scope mod for 9 mili pistol, but you don't give it for 10 mili pistol? C'mon, ppl.
    Bring them all! BoS, Enclave, NCR, Muties, Legion... Aliens?
     
    And the most important thing... To be done as caringly and as flawlessly as possible. No stuff like: "The deadline approaches, let's release it as it is..." NO. You want it to be popular? Do YOU - yes - YOU, the Developers, really mean it? Do YOU really want FO4 to WIN OUR HEARTS? Then  MAKE IT SUCH. Adjust the deadline to the game making progress, NOT vice versa.
     
    Am absolutely sure many ppl agree. Absolutely sure.
  6. Shidentora
    Shidentora
    • member
    • 13 kudos
    Classic weapons. Classic critters. Classic surrounding. Classic architecture (you have plenty photos at deviantart.com and plenty modding resources at Fallout Nexus.com). Next, put us back in California. Give us sandy ground. All the FONV features (weapon mods), crafting... Cities from FO and FO2.
    And the most important thing... To be done as caringly and as flawlessly as possible. I:E:, you give us a a scope mod for 9 mili pistol, but you don't give it for 10 mili pistol? C'mon, ppl. You don't navmest a part of Deathclaw promontory? C'mon...
    Bring them all!
    BoS, Enclave, NCR, Muties, Legion... Aliens?
    Am absolutely sure many ppl aggree.
  7. tommy2kelvin
    tommy2kelvin
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    I am not sure if this has been said already.I would like this to be the default in FO4:
     
    1.Drivable Motorcycles
    2.MTUI,aHUD,and DarnUI vanilla
    3.High-resolution newspapers and road signs
    4.Rock climbing so you don't have to run around them
    5.Clutter items and rubble removed (like Clean Deluxe) IF there is no Rock-It Launcher.
    6.No Diseases!Please!diseases almost made me rage quit Skyrim
    7.No boring,unimaginative misc quests like in Skyrim (hard one eh)
    8.Fast-paced dialogue,because players can read faster than the actors can finish their sentence.
    9.No hotkey reset!I hate it when at the end of a remove items DLC or casino weapon return they reset everything.
    10.Finally,number 10.Arguably the most essential.Make the 9 and 0 key a hotkey!please stop catering to consoles' 8 pad.
     
    but hey that's my opinion.
  8. aloot
    aloot
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    I kinda agree with the Roleplaying post. What I believe we need is a mixture of the Skyrim Engine and the Fallout System and target the goal of Roleplaying with the FPS/TPS elements, Better Character Customization, 3 player Multiplayer CO-OP and a Better Story. It would be a great game for whenever is comes out.

    -On the Roleplaying side, I would like to see something like Age, Ranging from Young Adult to Elder, To effect how things work for you in the game at some points. I would like to see through out the leveling up, how your personality really affects how your dialogue as well as gameplay, Ex: Taking a Goat Test (Fallout 3) , or a Personality Test (Fallout: New Vegas) affects traits and how they work in dialogue and gameplay.

    -Character Customization wise, coming from a junkie for good customization. I would like to see more immersive categorized character customization Choosing whether you're an ghoul or Human with the Custimization of Height and Custom Build and Genders and more Customizable Faces.
    Sectioned armor selection with a template like: Head, Eyes, Ears, Face, Neck, Shoulders, Torso, Belt, Hands, Legs, Feet.
    -Ex: Ballcap, Authority Glasses, Retro Headphones, Bandanna, Lucky Necklace, Shoulder Holsters, Old T Shirt, Gold Belt, Black Gloves, Ragged Jeans, Pre-War Canvas Sneakers

    -3 player Co-op is for people like me who get a little lonesome in the game, which should also increase the difficulty for the game depending on how many PC's are in the game ranging from 1-3.

    -Better shooter elements, like sneaking, maybe if the way combat worked if people in the game would not just stand in front of one another shooting or swinging. something a bit more immersive, not to change the game elements.
     


     
     
    I actually like the idea of a 3 player coop. I think it can be done without compromising a lot of other aspects of Fallout. FO4 is gonna be next generation technology, so I think I'm falling short on the possible routes to take in regards to multi coop, but intially I think of making the Host the primary character, and the two guests "slave" characters. That is, the Host makes the dialogue decisions or at least has the final say. (players can always discuss things before the Host makes the choice) 
     
    Although I think the "slave" characters or protagonists could be player-controled characters from the "single player" game. 
     
    Maybe there is some way to have 3-4 way dialogue between the 3 players and the NPC's? Perhaps the guest players could be alotted x amount of conversation interruptions or interventions. Maybe there could be a perk system set up around this specifically for followers. 
     
    Or maybe, the group could designate who was to be the controlling speaker before each main quest dialogue, via a group menu. This would make a lot of sense, say if...the Host has no speech skills, but one of the Guests does. The team could use different players for different conversational situations.
     
    This could make for an entirely different spin on Fallout dialogue...I guess...if it would work...and I'm not being short-sighted of inherent problems.
  9. BaxterJonez
    BaxterJonez
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    I kinda agree with the Roleplaying post. What I believe we need is a mixture of the Skyrim Engine and the Fallout System and target the goal of Roleplaying with the FPS/TPS elements, Better Character Customization, 3 player Multiplayer CO-OP and a Better Story. It would be a great game for whenever is comes out.

    -On the Roleplaying side, I would like to see something like Age, Ranging from Young Adult to Elder, To effect how things work for you in the game at some points. I would like to see through out the leveling up, how your personality really affects how your dialogue as well as gameplay, Ex: Taking a Goat Test (Fallout 3) , or a Personality Test (Fallout: New Vegas) affects traits and how they work in dialogue and gameplay.

    -Character Customization wise, coming from a junkie for good customization. I would like to see more immersive categorized character customization Choosing whether you're an ghoul or Human with the Custimization of Height and Custom Build and Genders and more Customizable Faces.
    Sectioned armor selection with a template like: Head, Eyes, Ears, Face, Neck, Shoulders, Torso, Belt, Hands, Legs, Feet.
    -Ex: Ballcap, Authority Glasses, Retro Headphones, Bandanna, Lucky Necklace, Shoulder Holsters, Old T Shirt, Gold Belt, Black Gloves, Ragged Jeans, Pre-War Canvas Sneakers

    -3 player Co-op is for people like me who get a little lonesome in the game, which should also increase the difficulty for the game depending on how many PC's are in the game ranging from 1-3.

    -Better shooter elements, like sneaking, maybe if the way combat worked if people in the game would not just stand in front of one another shooting or swinging. something a bit more immersive, not to change the game elements.

  10. bigmunk2
    bigmunk2
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    I hope they have a good soundtrack for the game. I liked the soundtrack for Fallout 3 and NV, and they fit in well with the surroundings. Other than that, I agree with everyone else. Good or bad, I still look forward to playing it.