For those who don't want to read all of the spoilers in the article, this bit from the conclusion should hopefully tide you over:
Fallout 3 was fun. Amazing. But New Vegas has a sense of humour the original lacked. Also a sense of style, and a feel for the Fallout universe that you can only get from the team that originally created it. It's the bomb.
Playstation Magazine is telling it how it is. PSM's sister pulication, CVG, posted this article preview - commence Bethesda slag and Obsidian love:
In an exclusive first look at Fallout New Vegas, CVG sister mag PSM3 reveals that developer Obsidian has taken dialogue and scripting up a notch in the sequel to Fallout 3.
lead producer of Fallout New Vegas, Larry Liberty said: "We had to modify the dialogue engine from Fallout 3 to include the types of dialogue and options that we wanted.
"We want real, memorable characters. I think it helps you to remember parts of the world you'd otherwise forget."
As part of its world-exclusive cover feature, PSM3 played an extensive demo of New Vegas. The mag reported that it was 'apparent that Obsidian are much more comfortable behind the keyboard than the team that made Fallout 3 and, before that, Oblivion. The scripting is wittier, the characters more distinct.'
To be honest, I never would have expected this from a print publication, but Bethesda certainly screwed over the Playstation community with the buggy and virtually unplayable release of Fallout 3 (which wasn't patched for a looong time).
This is also further validation that Fallout is back in the right hands. You can apparently already pick up this edition of PSM, as CVG is reporting it went on sale on 4 February.
In an exclusive first look at Fallout New Vegas, CVG sister mag PSM3 reveals that developer Obsidian has taken dialogue and scripting up a notch in the sequel to Fallout 3.
lead producer of Fallout New Vegas, Larry Liberty said: "We had to modify the dialogue engine from Fallout 3 to include the types of dialogue and options that we wanted.
"We want real, memorable characters. I think it helps you to remember parts of the world you'd otherwise forget."
As part of its world-exclusive cover feature, PSM3 played an extensive demo of New Vegas. The mag reported that it was 'apparent that Obsidian are much more comfortable behind the keyboard than the team that made Fallout 3 and, before that, Oblivion. The scripting is wittier, the characters more distinct.'
There are a few things that the Obsidian developers felt needed clarifying, mostly in terms of the dialogue system for Fallout: New Vegas. Here's the deal:
This is how it works. Each skill-based dialogue option has two different texts: one for high skill (which will result in success) and one for low skill (which will result in failure). If you do not meet the required threshold, you see the latter.
The Area 51 thing was pure speculation on PC Gamer's part. We did not show it or confirm whether or not it's in there. PC Gamer put it in because it's Nevada, and they think that means it will be in there.
I'm not saying it is or isn't, just that we haven't said either way.
* In the same way that a locked safe beyond your Lockpicking skill indicates, it lets the player know that there's an option here. * Some of the NPC responses to low skill checks can be pretty entertaining.
I also do want to clarify what is meant by "no penalty for failure". All it means is that you won't wind up in a worse position than you were before selecting it. If a dude bursts in and is intent on killing you, he's still going to want to kill you if you fail the Speech check to talk him out of it.
It's true that a lot of people have modded in those features, but a lot of the things in Hardcore mode are also things that I personally wanted to play the game with. I realize not everyone does, but it's the only way I play it.
When taken in the context of all of the VO that needs to be recorded for the game, alternate responses for low-skill dialogue checks account for a very small percentage of lines.
F3 also (often) had alternate lines for failed skill checks; they just originated from the same player line. Player lines aren't voiced, so there's no real increase there.
Looks like some magazines have jumped the gun and subscribers have already started receiving their copies of the Fallout: New Vegas issue. Have a look in this thread at the Bethesda forums. Here's what we know so far:
EDIT: Be sure to check this post to see the clarifications that the devs have made about some of these revelations (especially about the dialogue - it's not as bad at all as it was initially made out to be).
* There is an optional hardcore mode, the character needs to drink water, ammo has weight, healing isn't instant etc. Normal mode is more similar to Fallout 3 gameplay. * The storyline is focused on the New California Republic vs. Caesar's Legion vs. New Vegas residents. * You are not a vault dweller but are given a Pip-Boy by someone who is one. * There is a screenshot of a vault suit as well. * There is an assault rifle looking like the M4, as well as a new big gun with a backpack, held like a minigun. * There are special moves for melee weapons in VATS - specifically a move for a golf club called "Fore" which seems to be a groin shot. * The Hoover Dam is in the game and is supplying electricity to the city. * There is a quest to rescue a ghoul from some super mutants. The ghoul can then become your companion * The Geckos are back. * There are both dumb and intelligent super mutants, including the elite Nightkin. * Some super mutants look similar to the ones in Fallout 3, while others are new. There is e.g. a female super mutant with a 1950s hairstyle who apparently is one of their leaders. * Screenshots include a guy with a beard and straw hat, a ghoul an NCR Ranger * The only picture of New Vegas itself is concept art and not a screenshot * Some location screenshots include a huge model dinosaur advertising a hotel, some satellite dishes, an array of solar panels * A character generation shot showing a "vigour machine" instead of the skill book * NCR base is the McCarran Airport, Caesar's Legion is based in the Vegas Strip, while super mutants are based in a place called Black Mountain. There is also a town called Fremont and another called Primm. A topless reuve is mentioned as being in the latter. Area 51 also appears. * NCR Ranger armor is similar to a brown combat armor with sleeves, there are concept arts of a Ranger * Skils have a bigger effect on conversation choices. E.g. someone with a high Explosives skill may be able to have a coversation about explosives where appropriate. * There is a Reputation system in adition to Karma.
Thanks Ausir!
In addition:
- First-person action RPG with the same engine as Fallout 3 (sorry, Van Buren fans). - Set in the Mojave wastelands. Vegas didn't get many nukes. More intact buildings, as well as desert vegetation. Vegas itself is mostly intact. - You don't play a Vault Dweller (or descendant of one) but a courier, left for dead and saved by a friendly robot. - The overarching story is a struggle between the locals, Caesar's Legion (a faction of slavers from the east) and the New Californian Republic. Vegas itself is mostly intact. - Both karma and reputation are tracked. If I'm reading it right there's separate reputations for each of the settlements, as in 1 and 2. - All dialogue options are shown to all players, regardless of whether you have the stats to succeed or not, though there's no punishment for failure. - Bartering is not just lower prices but negotiating for better rewards. - VATS returns, and melee weapons have special moves in it. The golf club has "Fore!", which is a shot to the golf balls (so to speak) that knocks the opponent down. Weapons also now have knock-back upon death, with shotguns sending mans flying. - Super Mutants return, but in two varieties - the smarter ones from Fallout 1, and the idiot ones from Fallout 2. On at least one occasion you can convince them to fight amongst themselves. - New weapons include what appears to be an M4 and a grenade machinegun. - Followers can be managed through a context-sensitive menu, with orders like "follow", "stay" or "attack". - Hardcore Mode! In this mode, Stimpacks heal over time (as opposed to instantly), combat is tougher, ammo has weight and you can suffer dehydration, so keep some water on you!
One of the screenshots has a Super Mutant with a blonde wig and pink heart-shaped glasses.
More:
You're a courier, wounded and left for dead in a shallow grave. A friendly robot, Victor, digs you out, and his doctor owner Mitchell patches you up. You take a "vigour test", which is some sort of electric parlour game. This decides who you are and sets up SPECIAL. You can also take some Rorschach tests, but the mag says this is for fun. The Doc then gives you a Pipboy as he was once a Vault dweller.
"Hoover Dam", and "Helios" (a solar plant, confirmed by the mag to have been built by Poseidon) are fought into and then you can direct the power to wherever you choose. In the case of Helios you can also keep the plant for your self use the energy to call down a powerful laser, or even try to distribute to all equally, however there is a risk of overloading the reactors.
There is a "reputation system", in which all three factions (NCR, Ceasar's Legion and the locals) will either see you as good or bad toward them individually.
There is a screenshot of three Capital Wasteland mutants running toward the player, who is wielding what *looks* to be a heavy incinerator, but has a TV screen and no flamer fuel tanks. He's also wearing NCR combat armour, which is in gold/mustard colours.
There are two separate screens of supermutants that look to be more local, grey skin, and the two are wearing very different clothes. One is Tabitha, who is hearing a blonde wig and love heart glasses. The mag implies she's "not all there".
One that quest, you rescue Raul, a ghoul who Tabitha kept alive to fix her favourite robot. He appears to be a follower, as the mag says you can give him items, and also commands, such as "stay, follow or attack", and also tell him to switch to melee, in which case he'll mutter "sure, I'll put away my rather effective gun, and switch to this piece of um, metal tubing here".
From what I read, the "all dialog" thing seems to imply there will be failures for skill checks as well as speech checks, though, as the mag states, there is no penalty for failing a skill check. In fact, the mag gives an example: A woman who the player tried a Sneak skill attempt on in conversation failed when convincing her an ambush would help the town be rid of a gang of raiders. She simply says ""Good luck with your, uh, ambush"
I'll update this newspost with more information as it becomes available.
Fallout: New Vegas has been named Gamebanshee's most anticipated game of 2010:
When we learned that Obsidian Entertainment was actually going to get their hands on the Fallout franchise again, Diablo III took an immediate tumble down our most anticipated list. Despite the near certainty that it will be another FPS/RPG hybrid, Fallout: New Vegas overcomes a lot of the associated fears of riding on Fallout 3's FPS-inclined system by doing what most of us would consider a lost dream - returning the Fallout license to some of the people it originally belonged to.
While none of the developers credited as having created Fallout's "original game design" (Tim Cain, Leonard Boyarsky, Jason D. Anderson, Chris Taylor, Jason Taylor, and R. Scott Campbell) are currently at Obsidian, the studio boasts names like Feargus Urquhart (Fallout 1/2 producer), Chris Avellone (Fallout 2 designer), J.E. Sawyer (Van Buren lead designer), and Scott Everts (Fallout 1/2 designer) amongst its staff.
And so we head into 2010 excited to see what they'll do with the Fallout license, and hopeful they will be able to overcome some of Fallout 3's flaws, most noticeably its less-than-stellar writing. That doesn't seem like much of a stretch, either, considering that these are the same people that gave us Planescape: Torment.
The Bethblog has updated us on what magazines we can find some hard Fallout: New Vegas information in soon:
After yesterday’s unveil of the Fallout: New Vegas teaser trailer we wanted to make sure you knew about some of the “first looks” publications are getting of the game.
Next week in the UK, be on the lookout for New Vegas cover stories in OXM, PSM3, and PC Gamer. All three publications will be on newsstands on February 11th.
Stateside, PC Gamer subscribers can expect the New Vegas cover story next week (on newsstands on March 2nd). Meanwhile, both OXM and PlayStation: The Official Magazine will have features on the game – subscribers can expect to see these later in the month.
We might possibly even see things earlier, as OXM Editor Jon Hicks told me that the official embargo ends on 8 February.
Chris Avelloneposted a blurb on the Bethesda boards telling us some names of people we might know at Obsidian, as well as a few hints as to the plot and systems direction that Fallout: New Vegas is taking:
Question: You helped make Fallout 2, right? I think everybody agrees that Fallout 3 was different, but have you done anything to make NV be more like the first two? Or are you following in Bethesda's footsteps? To me it wouldn't matter either way. I'm just wondering.
Chris Avellone: Yep, I did area design and encounter design for F2 (worked on Vault City's third and final iteration, companions: Cassidy and Myron, special encounters, New Reno, Raider Camp, and the EPA, which got canned - and good thing, too, we already had too many locations) and some perk designs. Brian Menze, Feargus, Chris Jones, Scotty Everts, and Dan Spitzley are all here, all worked on Fallout 2, not all of them are on New Vegas, though.
The trailer is the only thing I can point to to answer your question, can't say much more than that. Josh and John Gonzalez (our creative lead and master of all things plot-related) put together a great story with some fun new mechanics, and they know their Fallout. I think we're using all the stuff we've been kicking around for the past ten+ years with RPGs and seeing how they can be applied to New Vegas on both the plot and system side.
I've put a new poll up asking you how you feel about Fallout: New Vegas after watching the teaser trailer. You can vote on the main page in the upper right. Can't miss it!
The last poll asked what your predictions for New Vegas were, and the biggest vote (40%) went for "I have a few reservations, but I think it's going to be good." Let's see if anything has changed since the teaser was released.
Figured I'd actually start getting the main site stuff back into shape :)
Duck and Cover now has a handy Fallout: New Vegas portalwhich can be found in the navigation menu under "Fallout Series." We'll be putting all the trailers, screenshots, information, mods, etc. for the game in there.
I'll also try and sort out all the unorganized stuff and make separate pages for each of the Fallout games.
IGN has posted a "Rewind Theater" of the Fallout: New Vegas trailer, giving a bit of analysis in video format to what we've all said in the forums. Check it out:
Looks like OXM isn't the only one "debuting" Fallout: New Vegas next Thursday. Playstation 3 Magazine has tweeted that they, too, will be "debuting" the game:
Fallout: New Vegas teaser trailer, world-exclusive screens and info in PSM3 11th Feb
And finally, the debut of the Fallout: New Vegas trailer, scheduled to arrive this Autumn 2010. Read the new Fallout: New Vegas information after the video!
Experience all the sights and sounds of fabulous New Vegas, brought to you by Vault-Tec, America's First Choice in Post Nuclear Simulation. Explore the treacherous wastes of the Great Southwest from the safety and comfort of your very own vault: Meet new people, confront terrifying creatures, and arm yourself with the latest high-tech weaponry as you make a name for yourself on a thrilling new journey across the Mojave wasteland. A word of warning, however - while Vault-Tec engineers have prepared for every contingency,* in Vegas, fortunes can change in an instant. Enjoy your stay.
* Should not be construed as a legally-binding claim.
The Fallout: New Vegas FAQ:
What is the release date? Fallout: New Vegas is scheduled for a Fall 2010 release on the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3, and Games for Windows in North America and Europe.
Who is developing the game? In conjunction with Bethesda Softworks, Fallout: New Vegas is being developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the creator of award winning RPGs such as Neverwinter Nights 2. Obsidian is also led by the founders of Black Isle Studios - the developers of the original Fallout and Fallout 2.
Where does Fallout: New Vegas take place? In and around New Vegas in Nevada.
What is Fallout New Vegas’ rating? Currently the rating is pending, but is planned as a Mature-rated title.
What are the PC system requirements? Closer to the release of Fallout: New Vegas, we’ll share the minimum and recommended system requirements.
Is Fallout New Vegas a Games for Windows title? Will it require Windows? Fallout: New Vegas is a Games for Windows title. As such, you’ll be able to use an Xbox 360 controller if you choose. New Vegas will run with Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7.
Will Fallout New Vegas include multiplayer? No, Fallout: New Vegas is a single-player game only.
I have lots of ideas and questions, where do I send them? We encourage you to register on our official forums and post your ideas and questions in the Fallout: New Vegas section, where our fans and developers share and discuss ideas and answer questions.
Where can I get more information on the game? Check out our official site, fallout.bethsoft.com, where we continually update our sections for art, reviews, previews, interviews, and more. You can also visit Bethesda Blog, our Fallout FacebookTwitter page. page, and our company
Astute views and scribes of Fallout lore may notice that the man in the trailer fits the description of original Fallout NPC Tycho perfectly.
Tycho is described as "a man in dusty leather armor with a trenchcoat and gas mask"
Duck and Cover will, of course, be following this game very closely so stay tuned!
I hope this isn't the only thing we've been waiting for with baited breath! It looks like Bethesda has opened up the official forums for Fallout: New Vegas. No new game information has been revealed yet.
Stay tuned to DAC for more information as it becomes available.
Looks like we'll be getting our first taste of Fallout: New Vegas today!
From Chris Avellone: Fallout New Vegas new stuff tomorrow yaaaaaaay
From Pete Hines: if you're into Fallout or want to find out something, anything, on Fallout: New Vegas...well, tomorrow, it begins.
From the Bethblog: Keep your eyes peeled for new stuff on Fallout: New Vegas tomorrow!
From Tracey Thompson (Director of PR @ Bethesda):Look out for Fallout, because there ain’t no doubt tomorrow you’re gonna find out what you want to know about. What what.
Note that at the time of writing, tomorrow is these quotes actually means today (4 February 2010). This is also very interesting because the information won't be coming from OXM. OXM was announced as the premier vehicle for Fallout: New Vegas, but OXM editor Jon Hicks told DAC that the New Vegas issue wouldn't hit the streets until 11 February 2010 - 1 week from now. Maybe they changed the release date?
Keep your eyes peeled and report back to DAC any news you find!
UPDATE: DAC has confirmed with OXM Editor Jon Hicks that they do not know anything about the Fallout: New Vegas event today. Their embargo is still on until 8 February.
Boyarsky, Jason D. Anderson, Chris Taylor, Jason Taylor, and R. Scott Campbell) are currently at Obsidian, the studio boasts names like Feargus Urquhart (Fallout 1/2 producer), Chris Avellone (Fallout 2 designer), J.E. Sawyer (Van Buren lead designer), and Scott Everts (Fallout 1/2 designer) amongst its staff. 
