What better way to test DarkUnderlord's new content system than to put up an exclusive interview I've done with the Executive Producer at Bethesda (otherwise known as The Person Who Makes The Decisions about Fallout 3), Todd Howard, in his first full interview on the subject since July 2004?
Is SPECIAL going to be used in Fallout 3? At what point in
Fallout history will the game take place? Somewhat surprisingly, given
the company's policy on not talking about their games until they've had
a few years of development, Todd answered these questions. Here's a
quote about the combat that comes with a vaguer answer:
Whilst every fan tends to have a different idea of
what precisely Fallout 3 should be, there are a few things that most of
us are unified on. Are you aware of the strong desires for turn-based
combat and the classic 3/4 top-down viewpoint? Do you think pure
turn-based combat in an RPG is viable in today's market?
Yes, of course we've heard many of the old-school fans regarding the
view and combat resolution. What's viable today? Certainly turn-based
combat limits your audience to a small number, but I do find that
audiences will come if your game is good enough and the presentation is
superb. Ultimately we'll do what we think will be the most fun.
Click here for the rest. DarkUnderlord
has taken the time to put the interview in context and write an
editorial on Todd's responses, which you can read as part of the
article.
Thanks to Todd Howard for his time and agreeing to answer my
questions. I feel I should mention that I've been impressed with the
friendliness of all Bethesda
staff I've contacted, and their willingness to communicate. Maybe that
will change when they announce the real-time, console-only sequel to FO: BOS, but that hasn't happened yet.
Let's hope that the positive direction for the game that I think this interview implies is not just talk.
