Editorial Matt Peckham on Bethesda's Fallout

[Vault Dweller]

Tags: Bethesda Softworks; Fallout 3

Matt Peckham, who became famous when he posted an absolutely <a href=http://www.rpgcodex.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=15987>idiotic NWN2 review</a>, has shared with us his equally <a href=http://blogs.pcworld.com/gameon/archives/004189.html>idiotic thoughts</a> on Bethesda's Fallout game.
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<blockquote>Next October marks the ten year anniversary of Black Isle's Fallout, the PC role-playing masterpiece that made you chuckle almost as hard as gnaw your nails to nubs over where to spend all your "hero's" precious SPECIAL points (Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility and Luck!).</blockquote>The "distribute some points over 7 attributes" mini-game was definitely Fallout's biggest strength, which set the game apart from "distribute some points over 6 attributes" DnD mini-games.
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<blockquote>A couple days ago, Bethesda took the locks off its official Fallout 3 forums. ... So far the boards are mostly a crazy-fest of intransigent Fallout fans turfing and bickering and, to be fair, occasionally engaging in even-tempered reminiscing. Their biggest concern? That Bethesda might turn up a sci-fi version of its freeform Elder Scrolls series.
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Don't bet on it. Whatever you think of their games, Bethesda's one of the smartest designers in this business. </blockquote>Comparing to you, Matt, everyone is smart.
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<blockquote>They're also one of the few still-standing indies.</blockquote>They're also one of the few still-standing blues bands and impressionist artists.
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[Amasius]

How about a new hello I'm a game journalist and I'm stupid-smilie for the Codex:

 

[Shoelip]

Man, I'm bored of making fun of all this stupid. I have no comment.

 

[Fez]

Good grief.

 

[Edward_R_Murrow]

Wow. Did Bethesda focribly perform brain-rape upon this man?

 

[Bradylama]

Sometimes I feel like it's us who am the Bizarro.

 

[Joe Krow]

I knew I hated indies for a reason.

 

[M0RBUS]

WTF?!?!?! What the hell is wrong with the guy?! Did he smashed his brain in the wall and the throw it in the paper basket?! Bethesda, an Indie!? :shock:

 

[Shoelip]

I'd like to meet him face to face just out of curiousity but I'd likely go berserk with fury and attack him, then I'd feel bad about it because I'm like that. Oh yeah, and you know, there would be a law suit. So anyway it's probably a bad idea.

Though given, he does have some things to say that aren't completely idiotic.

"Be thankful the franchise didn't end up with a mega-publisher like Electronic Arts or Ubisoft instead."

Oh, here are some other not completely idiotic quotes.

"Ready to feel old with me? Next October marks the ten year anniversary of Black Isle's Fallout…"

"Fallout's setting was post-apocalyptic..."

"So far the boards are mostly a crazy-fest…"

See!

 

[stargelman]

I think the Codex needs a punching bag of sorts. So much unvented aggression

The line about Bethsoft makes sense to me. Ok, it's not true, but still. Nevermind the man behind the curtain. Move along, nothing to see here

 

[Nedrah]

"Be thankful the franchise didn't end up with a mega-publisher like Electronic Arts or Ubisoft instead."

"Be thankful your mom wasn't raped by Hitler or Bush instead"

If EA or UBI were doing it, we'd get a FPS instead that'd at least be mostly immune to being declared a totally deep and stuff maaaaan! RPG.

 

[Bradylama]

Or even better. They could've just sat on the property and we wouldn't have to suffer an awful sequel or spinoff.

 

[Ladonna]

Is there some sort of base in the mountains that churns these creatures out? I can see a new storyline for an RPG here.....

I wonder who 'the Master' is this time?

 

[sportforredneck]

Whatever you think of their games, Bethesda's one of the smartest designers in this business.

Spending an excessive amount of money on a franchise that most likely won't sell enough for you to make a profit, is smart now?

 

[taxacaria]

How about replacement of that guy by another one who has an additional attribute : INT?

 

[Drakron]

We would have better luck with EA ... EA does not take risks and we would get Fallout 2+1.

Ubisoft would likely to just get someone else to do it (likely Troika).

 

[Higher Game]

Indeed, EA's ridiculous conservatism (especially with sports games) and assembly line games is what makes them (in)famous, and it's probably why Spore is getting so much attention, since it's actually a real risk.

But honestly, we don't want Fallout 1 and 2. We just want a new Fallout with some good new ideas, not level scaling and radiant "AI".

 

[Drakron]

Problem is the "ideas".

Things that we believe are core to Fallout (such multi approach to quests) are going to be removed since its not something Bethsoft ever done, we see it as "Morrowind with Guns" because that is what Bethsoft only done so far.

Bethsoft also can mistaken why Fallout is rated "mature" and not "immature" ... sex for example is a mature theme that can easy be railroaded into a immature theme.

 

[taxacaria]

Bethsoft also can mistaken why Fallout is rated "mature" and not "immature" ... sex for example is a mature theme that can easy be railroaded into a immature theme.

To discuss that problem, they've decided to open a teeny forum 13+, so the desired audience can make suggestions.
Considering this, I can imagine the 'mature content' of Fallout 3.

 

[OccupatedVoid]

radiant "AI".

I think you mean Radiated AI!

Credits go to Lumpy for this gem.

 

[JarlFrank]

They're also one of the few still-standing indies.

They're also one of the few still-standing blues bands and impressionist artists.

Geez, how stupid can somebody be? Just why the fucking hell are Bethesda an indie developer? How can anyone be so stupid? They got a big pubisher. They are also a big publisher [they published that shit Star Trek game]. They are big. They are not independent. They are mainstream. And they could never be one of the few remaining indies, because there are a hell lot of indie devs out there.

Heck, does that retard even know what an indie is?

 

[DarkSign]

Guys guys. This guy is just trying to break into game journalism's big time (with the fancy trips and free hotel stays and hooker bills) by writing drivel.

We all have to start from the ground up. He's merely playing the game. All that said...this guy writes worse than Steven Hawking swims.

 

[Vault Dweller]

The problem is that Matt *is* a well known journalist.

"Matt Peckham's articles and stories have appeared in 1UP, Computer Games, Computer Gaming World, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Epiphany, GamePro, Games For Windows, Gamesradar, Gamespy, IGN, The Official Xbox Magazine, PC Gamer, PC World, The Sci-Fi Channel, SF Site, The Wargamer, and X-Play."

 

[Kingston]

After reading that article I preceeded to stab the hell out of the apple I was holding, imagining Matt's head there with a glum smile. YOU WON'T BE SMILING ONCE I RIP OUT YER CHEEKS! :stabbity-stab:

 

[zioburosky13]

Hack his eMAiL! :twisted: