anglebender [Celluloid 02.07.10] post apocalyptic news video game



Although the press release was scant on details, just the name alone will be enough to move this game off shelves later this year. The owner of the franchise, Bethesda Softworks, insists this isn't “Fallout 4”, another DLC or the rumored online game. It also won't be a revamp or a reboot, just take place in the same decimated future US that gamers have loved for over a decade. It's being developed by Obsidian Entertainment (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, Neverwinter Nights II) which has quite a few members of the original Fallout development staff from Interplay.

I have no idea what the story will be, but it's the Post-Apocalypse, it's Vegas, use your imagination. Since some of the former Interplay and Black Isle folks will have a lot to do with New Vegas' development, expect the same tongue-in-cheek humor that the series is renown for.

More details and the awesome new trailer after the break.


This will be a stand-alone game that won't need Fallout 3 to be played. It's supposedly going to use a modified graphics engine from Obsidian's upcoming action RPG/shooter “Alpha Protocol”, which judging by the screenshots I Googled looks to be fairly awesome. Sadly, there still isn't 2-player, online or co-op, which kind of irked me being that it's a prerequisite for most games these days. So long as Bethesda continues to make good single-player experiences, not having multiplayer is okay because Fallout isn't like most games.

“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.”

In case that marketing blurb disoriented you, fret not, New Vegas won't be another “Operation:Anchorage” type simulation. Holo Chambers are probably one of the many attractions in New Vegas, but this won't be a Total Recall type of mindscrew, it will be a completely new and unexpected mindscrew. Better than Phillip K. Dick? Not likely, but it will be a mindscrew nonetheless.

There will be (I hope) new art assets in the game so it probably won't look too much like Fallout 3, but come on now, there's only so many ways you can illustrate “blown to smithereens”. The graphic artists at Obsidian have their work cut out for them if that's the case. I would just like to see weather effects besides the sun transiting the sky, like maybe rain? In a few years when we all have quantum computing chips in our laptops, accurate wind simulation will be a breeze. Ha-ha. Judging by the trailer, New Vegas not only has electricity, but also a few skyscrapers. Is that tall spire the Stratosphere? It looks like the area was probably spared the brunt of the nuclear apocalypse 200 years previous. Actually, there isn't any mention of WHEN this takes place, so it very well could be a prequel to fill the 36 year gap between Fallout 2 & 3. Hey, look at me, I'm speculating. Speaking of which, who's that dude with the New California Republic flag from Fallout 2... Hmmm...

But I want to tear my friends apart with a gatling laser, is that so wrong? In time I know this will occur, but if I get to hunt down ghouls because they have gambling debts, that's good enough for now.

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Sunolet (10 years ago) Reply

This is just making a jump, but the flag at the end is of the NCR (New California Republic), which is the largest army in the Fallout world, and they have several "special forces" one of em is the New California Rangers, who are overall like the Texas Rangers back in the 1800's, they protect cities from slavers, they're also a bit like cops, they usually get placed in major population areas to enforce NCR laws. So if the NCR is involved, most likely Caesar's Legion is involved as a major enemy of NCR. Since the soldier is on the outside of town, it is most likely that the NCR is about to start a seige and try to take New Vegas. So you probably have some three way war between the three factions. Then there is the hand sticking out of the grave, maybe that is the protagonist? Maybe someone attempted to kill him and put him in a shallow grave and the robot will rescue him, and the game will revolve around who tried to kill him and his revenge? In Fallout 1, one of the recruitable NPCs (Tycho) said that his father told him there used to be a big gangster that lived in Vegas, so they probably have or had a problem with organized crime. So either the crime organizations managed to rebuild it after the bombs hit, or judging by the amount of lights in the background, it was never hit and furthermore, to power that much lights, you would either need a shitload of petrol (which is impossible to get, since in Fallout 2, it is shown that the Enclave control the only working oil derrick, and something tells me they aren't too chummy with New Vegas since the people were born outside of the Enclave, thus considered mutants, which means they are subject to eradication immediately. The real Enclave's primary goal is to kill all mutants.) Anywho back to the subject, to power all that, they would probably still be relying on the Hoover Dam, which means a steady stream of power and water. Soooo... all these are simply theories so don't quote me on them. This is just a lot of random thoughts and such, ties i remembered from other games. honestly i just hope its good

free games (10 years ago) Reply

WOW, this game looks really awesome, I'm waiting with my fingers crossed for this one.

Anonymous (10 years ago) Reply

it actually nothing to do with fallout 3

its made by the original holders of the rights before bethesda

Anonymous (10 years ago) Reply

anonymous don't know what he is talking about. it's just the next game from Bethesda, at least according to all the credible sources.

Anonymous (10 years ago) Reply

the guy with the first long post was like pretty much spot on with his theories....bravooo

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