Interview: Josh Sawyer Talks Fallout: New Vegas
80
Comments
80
Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 02:36 PM
sweet!!! cant wait for this gameThursday, June 03, 2010 @ 02:38 PM
Awesome! I'm playing through Fallout 3 at the moment so I'm definately getting this. Looks great!Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 02:43 PM
Nice Interview, good questions which helped clear up some of my fears, not that they were going to stop me buying this!!Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 02:48 PM
i can't anticipate this game enough, i really hope they do as much dlc or even more as they did in fallout 3, that would be fantasticThursday, June 03, 2010 @ 02:50 PM
http://my.livecard.net/49634/IcromatiickzzThursday, June 03, 2010 @ 02:52 PM
I really wanted Fallout 3 then i buy it,and i get kinda disappointed with the 3rd person gameplay...But it was a really good game...Im just not sure bout this one...Hope they change it up...Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 02:53 PM
I need some of those Michael Jackson sleep drugs to knock me out for four months so I can wake up on release day.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 02:55 PM
Definetely gonna buy it the day that come out ;)Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 02:57 PM
Might have to re-buy Fallout 3 to get back in the mood for this :) Loved Fallout 3, hope this is the same.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 02:58 PM
I am just to fecking excited about this game! Everything I read about it just makes me want it more!!!Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 02:58 PM
Looks like New Vegas is shaping up to be a much better game then Fallout 3 ever was.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 03:08 PM
what's with the ahoy on every title?Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 03:09 PM
Can't friggin wait! @7 don't do it didn't you see that southpark where cartman freezes himself for the wii?Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 03:15 PM
Josh sawyer are you kidding me ??? any lost fan would be like 0.oThursday, June 03, 2010 @ 03:23 PM
@12 Today is ahoy day!Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 03:30 PM
Im sooo excited!! This game's gonna be awsome.I already preordered my collecters edition.I hope that there will be DLC though.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 03:30 PM
@15 ahoy day? anyway that crafting stuff sounds nice.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 03:38 PM
@#17 - Yes, ahoy day... ahoy!Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 03:38 PM
fallout 3 was crap... cue abuse, ahoy!!!Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 03:43 PM
Fallout 3 was one of the best games I've played. Hopefully Fallout: New Vegas will live up to its name. I'm questionable about the plot though.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 03:58 PM
Didn't ask the really important question. Will it be a buggy pile of code like Fallout 3 was? Can't even use quick save on the PC version, it corrupts the save files!Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 03:59 PM
This is going to be amazing. Loved the interview. Got my new gamertag ready ;)Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 04:08 PM
IVE missed Fallout soo much cant wait for this game to come out ! nothing has to change just new story = win for me!!!!Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 04:21 PM
I'm hoping that since their not changing the engine we'll still be able to use the GECK to create mods for the PC versionThursday, June 03, 2010 @ 04:22 PM
cant wait for it!Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 04:45 PM
Hope this game is much more polished than Alpha Protocol.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 04:53 PM
@6 you know it could be either third or first person, don't you?Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 04:54 PM
fallout 3 was amazing n its DLC's except 4 mothership zeta. i was good in its own right but didnt fit the fallout 3 storyline or the enviroment. cant wait 4 new vegas and its (hopfully) DLC'sThursday, June 03, 2010 @ 04:56 PM
I still need to get the cheevos for fallout 3,, i played it on pc see :( does anyone know of any packages to get the game and all dlc?Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 05:08 PM
Great interview for what looks like another top notch game this year, after Fallout 3 pretty much being close to perfect Im nervous and excited for Vegas, I hope they can top it, colour me excited :)Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 05:13 PM
Bah, I would have had just one question: Did you fix the freezing issue from Fallout 3?Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 05:26 PM
im fuckin preorderin the collectors editionThursday, June 03, 2010 @ 05:28 PM
@29 i'm fairly sure the game of the year edition comes with everythingThursday, June 03, 2010 @ 05:44 PM
I really wish that the PC version was GFWL then I would get that one and use the GECK. But alas i shall have to get it on my xbox ...Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 05:49 PM
it will be hard to topp falout 3, :/ but this can pull it off. we have to w8 and see a gussThursday, June 03, 2010 @ 05:53 PM
Fallout 3 GotY, drop greatly in price, like less than $20 USD. Then I can finish up the DLC, and then New Vegas will have the privilege of me taking the time to grace it with my presence.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 06:08 PM
@33 i didnt realise there was a GOTY edition, and i call myself a gamer *lowers head in shame* but thanks :)Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 06:33 PM
Fallout 3 GOTY is not less than 20 dollars, where did you hear that 36? @34 I KNOW!!! I bought Fallout 3 on both PC and 360 due to double achievements, and I love the GECK, but disappointing that they have removed LIVE from New Vegas, there has been petitions on the bethesda forums requesting GFWL. It would mean a double purchase for me. and Hardcore mode is going to be cake. On the pc version of Fallout 3, I had mods that did all of those effects added in New Vegas, and more! Can't wait for more Fallout.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 06:39 PM
How about the Limited Edition for the EU? Still haven't seen it anywhere. =/Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 06:57 PM
dont think ima like it if theres a hardcore achievement. and weighted ammo and strength requirements sound like pains in the tucas.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 06:58 PM
Obsidian are toss, they should have been shut down by now. As for the game, its essentially a tie-in in an attempt to squeeze a different dimension from the same colourless universe using the same game engine. As for Fallout itself, Elder Scrolls IV dicked on Fallout 3. I am not stoked for this. Bitchin'!Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 06:59 PM
@38 I believe he was telling it to drop below $20 so he could buy it, not saying that was already the current price.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 07:02 PM
@27 yeh but thats like saying you could either stare at or motorboat sophie reade's breasts. One is infinitely better to do than the other and is the way it's meant to be done. the other... yeh, sure, if you're some kind of masochist who gets pleasure out of the difficulty of controlling yourself ;)Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 08:30 PM
Pretty awesome, I'm looking forward to this game.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 09:50 PM
Fallout 3 was a decent PC game I'll probably pick this one up on 360 looks a lot more appealing.Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 11:23 PM
Thursday, June 03, 2010 @ 11:24 PM
I always meant to play FO3 but never did. Now, I might just jump on this one instead. From what I've heard, HC mode sounds really cool.Friday, June 04, 2010 @ 12:27 AM
I'll hold off a good 2-3 months before renting or buying this since Obsidian is making it.Every game franchise that they have worked on has been bug ridden piles of unplayable trash. Alpha protocol being the only game they have made that I haven't tried so I can't comment on it.However Kotor 2,NWN 2 and it's 2 expansions all were unplayable for weeks until they decided to patch it.So I unfortunately have low expectations.Shame too as I loved Fallout 3.Friday, June 04, 2010 @ 12:33 AM
Not buying this. At least not directly maybe used that way they're not getting my cash from me. Obsidian really pissed me off by making New Vegas not for GFWL. I prefer RPG's on PC because we can mod and have fun which is why the huge deciding factor for my 50 bucks was the fact that it had achievements which was huge IMO. Now I'm going to have to settle on the xbox version. *sigh*Friday, June 04, 2010 @ 12:55 AM
wooo falloutFriday, June 04, 2010 @ 01:38 AM
cant wait for this game. fall is a long ways awayFriday, June 04, 2010 @ 02:54 AM
Love how hardcore sounds, more realistic rather than just using weaker weapons and enemies with more health. Can't wait!Friday, June 04, 2010 @ 03:59 AM
I REALLY am looking foward to thisFriday, June 04, 2010 @ 04:21 AM
SWEEEEEETFriday, June 04, 2010 @ 04:42 AM
I loved F3, this is gonna amaze a lot of people..Friday, June 04, 2010 @ 05:11 AM
Im really looking forward to the hardcore mode! :)Friday, June 04, 2010 @ 09:13 AM
@41 If you genuinely think Oblivion was better than Fallout there's something wrong with you dude...Friday, June 04, 2010 @ 10:43 AM
@40 not to burst your bubble but there is an achievement for Hardcore Mode. I read it on the Wiki Fallout Vault, so far it's the only known achievement. Definitely playing New Vegas on Hardcore Mode, it'll just be like playing the originals again. I loved Fallout 3, probably my favorite game of all time and my favorite game series. I think Fallout: New Vegas is going to be better than Fallout 3 only because most of the original creators of Fallout are making it, but I'll have to play it first before I can say for certain. Can't wait for October!! Just my opinion.Friday, June 04, 2010 @ 01:43 PM
This is already my favorite game ever made. Used to be Fallout 3 but I feel this will improve upon what was flawed before. I can't wait for this to be the only game I buy for like a three month period at least...Friday, June 04, 2010 @ 09:59 PM
ISaturday, June 05, 2010 @ 07:30 AM
dlc would be awesome, but please no aliens!Saturday, June 05, 2010 @ 08:04 AM
Can we pretend that airplanes In the night sky Are like shooting stars I could really use a wish right now (wish right now, wish right now) I wish that Jesus would travel and time and bring me back this game. I WANT ITSaturday, June 05, 2010 @ 09:09 AM
gonna be a busy fall with this and HaloSaturday, June 05, 2010 @ 09:20 AM
OMG i actually love Fallout, can't wait for thisSunday, June 06, 2010 @ 07:45 AM
Sick Obsidian is one of my fav developers, working on one of my fav series? Suhweet.Sunday, June 06, 2010 @ 11:49 AM
I really can't wait for this, loved Fallout 3Sunday, June 06, 2010 @ 01:15 PM
Loved Fallout 3. This interview actually made me apprehensive about weighted ammunition and punishing the player for choosing a less-than-ideal skill set.Monday, June 07, 2010 @ 12:40 PM
awesome... i think il love, and yet love to hate hardcore mode, its got alot of the ideas iv been thinking of, and wondering why others hadnt tought of, like the dehydration and custom ammo clips...Tuesday, June 08, 2010 @ 01:27 AM
I have put near 2000 hours into Fallout 3, and still find things I haven't seen before. Just recently built my character up to max special and skills, so I am ready for a new Fallout! Fallout 3 is the greatest game on the 360 and Obsidian better not ruin that.Tuesday, June 08, 2010 @ 09:16 AM
I can't get enough of rpgs (Mass Effect, DragonAge, ElderScrolls) Fallout 3 was one that a REALLY liked and obsidian look like they have done a good job so far. I faith in them after they did a good job with KOTOR II - and yes you may remind me of alpha protocol but meh, i'm still looking foward to it.Wednesday, June 09, 2010 @ 08:06 AM
this games is goin to be awsomeWednesday, June 09, 2010 @ 04:56 PM
Can't wait for this game loved fallout 3 this will be awesome!Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 12:29 AM
Can't wait for New Vegas. Fallout 3 was such a great a game. One of the games that made me happy to 100% it. Anyways Obsidian makes great RPG's so no reason to be worried the game will be great.Friday, June 11, 2010 @ 07:37 PM
Cant wait although I hope multiple play throughs can be avoided, I know people like to play for hours but realistically like to go all out on one character and explore everything with one save. Just my way on RPGs. LOVE IT!!!!Sunday, June 13, 2010 @ 11:42 AM
@6, lol, there is a button to switch between third and first person.Monday, June 14, 2010 @ 01:37 AM
They are For sure Going to Make a DLC for L.A., San Fransico, and Maybe Texas. I have A feeling That they Are going To make L.A. most DefMonday, June 21, 2010 @ 07:32 AM
Anything that has the words "Fallout" in it is an instance purchase.Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 10:01 PM
I hope people will utilize the hardcore setting to further immerse themselves into the Fallout distopia, I know I can't wait.Wednesday, June 23, 2010 @ 12:23 AM
I wish it could come out sooner XD Nothing released so far for this game looks bad to me, I can't wait till it gets here!Wednesday, July 07, 2010 @ 11:43 AM
bethesda is the only gaming company that has produced games that make me WANT to 1000 them.... im looking forward to new vegas!
You need to register before being able to post comments
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Many Obsidian developers have been creating RPGs for over a decade, going all the way back to Black Isle. We're used to using other developers' technology to create RPGs, so it's easy for us to adapt to another company's content development pipeline. We generally try to focus on incrementally improving the game play and providing Obsidian-style content.
If you have access to solid technology and a good working relationship with the tech's developer, go for it. Working on an established tech platform saves a lot of time.
So we have a new setting, new story, new everything in Fallout: New Vegas. Can you tell us a bit more why you chose “New Vegas” and how the wastelands in your title will differ to Fallout 3’s?
In many ways, Las Vegas is the opposite of Washington D.C. When many people think of Washington D.C., they think of traditional American virtues and the history of our young country. It's full of the enduring monuments of our nation. In contrast, Las Vegas is a city that appeals to contemporary American vices. It continually re-invents itself, destroying landmarks and creating new ones every few years.
The Mojave Wasteland itself is also quite different from the Capital Wasteland. The Mojave Wasteland in the game did not suffer as badly as the Capital Wasteland when the bombs were dropped. It has bright blue skies, sprawling warm deserts, Joshua trees, tumbleweeds. All the good stuff.
Nope. We believe that the initial journey is part of the fun of the game. If you could skip that, it would detract from exploration tremendously.
There are a few small references here and there, but New Vegas is its own story.
We did not want to delve too deeply into the rendering technology because of the relatively short development cycle. One element that we have changed is how the level of detail system works for distant objects. Specifically, they can now support material shaders, including emissives. We also implemented an "imposter" system that allows us to more convincingly represent distant buildings and effects. This was important for us because light pollution from casinos is such an important element of seeing Vegas from the desert.
There are some behind-the-scenes formulae used for weapon condition that we changed to help normalize the progression of weapons, but for the most part we've just tried to build on the engine.
Each community and organization in Fallout: New Vegas has its own reputation tracker for the player. As people in the community or organization take note of good or bad things the player does, the player gains positive or negative reputation. Based on that reputation, people in the community will treat you differently.
In some cases, you may receive some benefits or suffer some penalties for the reputation you build with a group. It's also possible to have a mixed reputation, which has its own consequences. Certain characters, especially misfits in a group, tend to treat the player better if he or she has built up a mixed reputation.
We've tried to avoid wacky contraptions for the most part. In the Fallout universe, the western portion of the United States is a lot more industrialized and generally "with it" than the east. As a result, most of the mods are of the traditional variety.
We have a large number of traditional firearms in the game and there are a lot of mods for those weapons: extended magazines for pistols, larger ammunition drums for submachine guns, custom high-speed actions for lever action rifles, silencers, suppressors, and so on. We also have mods for energy weapons and explosives, like focus optics for the laser rifle (increases damage), and the "Little Boy" kit for the Fat Man, which drastically reduces its weight.
The special melee attacks are all meant to be a bit exaggerated and fantastic in nature to set them apart from the standard moves. My favorite move is probably Mauler, used by sledges and super sledges. It's a really tremendous swing and does a lot of damage.
Co-op certainly can work in RPGs, but I think one of the main staples of the Fallout experience is that it is primarily driven by the player's character. While companions have also always been part of the experience, their presence is purely optional. It's only in the spin-off games (Brotherhood of Steel, Tactics) that multiplayer has been a focus.
A ton of stuff, honestly. We've changed the SPECIAL system so the ability scores have more impact on your character. As an example, weapons now have Strength requirements. If you don't meet the weapon's requirements, your aim will suffer (for firearms) or it will attack more slowly (if a melee or unarmed weapon). Strength also affects how far you can throw weapons like grenades. On the more "cerebral" side of things, Charisma affects a statistic called Nerve that is applied to companions as a combat bonus.
We created a new crafting interface for the game that is quite extensive. Initially it was only going to apply to the Survival skill, but we expanded it to use a variety of skills at different locations. Crafting ranges from cooking raw meat into steak at a campfire to hand loading custom ammunition from spent shell casings at a reloading bench. I think people will really enjoy it.
Like most cancelled projects, the assets and documents went on a drive somewhere and collected dust in the "could have been" vault. We have carried some of the ideas from Van Buren into New Vegas. Primarily, the use of Caesar's Legion as a looming threat in the region, though it is much more present in New Vegas than it was in Van Buren. Most of the other similarities lie in bringing back regional power players from previous games: the New California Republic, Gun Runners, Crimson Caravan, Followers of the Apocalypse, and so on.
We know that Fallout 3's DLC packages were very popular, but it's too early to talk about that for Fallout: New Vegas.
We are still on track for fall of 2010.