In what many people expected to be another horrid chapter in the DRM saga, Bethesda have announced that they won't be including Spore-like DRM at all. In fact all they'll be including for copy protection says Peter Hines is the standard disc check, just like in Oblivion. Even that's a "pain in the ass" he says to have to add.
The original Fallout designer says he's already got his Fallout 3 copy pre-ordered and can't wait to play it. Still he has some reservations on direction. Cain explains his "biggest problem" is expanding the Fallout world too much because it's supposed to make you feel like the "last people left on Earth."
The ransom or 'requirement' list for Bethesda's upcoming Fallout 3 is quite tame meaning old rigs need not quake in fear. If you've got yourself a Pentium 4 you're basically set, though a nice dual-core will move things a lot better. You can cease plans to 'expedite' your inheritance now.
In a striking blow to Bethesda, an illegal Xbox 360 copy is doing the rounds over a number of torrent sites. This leak started three weeks before retail release. It's a near shocking indictment to just how poor security is surrounding manufacturing of the game discs. Fortunately the majority of gamers won't risk modifying their consoles.
Bethesda's Peter Hines is currently having a live Interview with the audience at Eurogamer, to talk about Fallout 3. During the interview, Hines confirmed that the PlayStation 3 version of Fallout 3 will support Trophies, although he isn't sure when this will happen. "It's going to happen, just not sure when. We'll let folks know when we have something more definitive." said Hines.
Bethesda's Peter Hines is currently having a live Interview with the audience at Eurogamer, to talk about Fallout 3. During the interview, Hines revealed that a patch for the PC version of Fallout 3 will be released later today. "There’s a PC update coming out later today that will address a few PC-specific things that have come up," said Hines.
Bethesda's take on the Fallout franchise has certainly got the approval of wallets as over 4.7 million units have shifted over the three platforms; Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. The developer is happy to report that despite a later release in the UK, Fallout 3 shot to the top of the videogames chart for each of the platforms. We Brits love a pessimistic outlook.
A reply from the Community Manager for Fallout 3 on the official forums has confirmed that Bethesda will soon release patches for every version of Fallout 3, which was revealed in a reply to fans that asked about a possible fix for the PS3 version.
The developer has announced three pieces of DLC coming to Xbox 360 and PC as well as modding tools for the community. A game patch is in the works also. The tools will be for free next month while the DLC will be made available from January for an unspecified amount at the moment, they will arrive monthly.
Bethesda have dished on their upcoming DLC expansion this January, Operation Anchorage, and said there's plenty to do for everyone. Also included are "new weapons, armor and achievements" and even a new 'Covert Ops' perk. The DLC will be playable "at any level, once you've exited the Vault" of course.
Bethesda confirmed to Strategy Informer today that the PlayStation 3 version of Fallout 3 has received a patch that adds trophy support, reports also suggest that it fixes the freezing problems that caused the game to crash, although this has not been confirmed. Full list of changes could not be supplied, and Bethesda told us that it is unlikely a list will be released.
The UK's Telegraph have published a list of their "50 Best games of 2008" with Lionhead's Fable II getting the number one spot. Fallout 3 came second with LittleBigPlanet managing third place. GTA IV meanwhile is down in seventh place, Gears of War 2 is fifth, Spore sixth and Left 4 Dead at number nine.
Bethesda have confirmed that the upcoming Broken Steel DLC for Fallout 3 will increase the level limit by 10 and let players keep on truckin'. Currently level 20 is the highest allowed and the game ends once the main quest line is brought to its climax. Broken Steel will let players join in the hunt for the Enclave forces.
Bethseda today announced that the first Downloadable Content for Fallout 3 entitled Operation: Anchorage, which is the first of three planned expansion packs, will be available to download on 27th January. The cost of Operation: Anchorage will be 800 MS points, whilst the PC content will be available for $10.
The Fallout 3 Operation: Anchorage DLC exclusive to the Xbox 360 has now been released for 800 Microsoft Points. Enter the simulation pod and embark on one of the greatest military campaigns of the Fallout universe - the liberation of Anchorage, Alaska from its Chinese Communist invaders. Experience harrowing winter combat using Fallout 3's patented V.A.T.S. targeting system, and employ powerful new equipment like the Gauss Rifle, Chinese Stealth Armor, Winterized T-51b Power Armor, and more.
Executive producer Todd Howard has said that when you charge for something then"all criticism is fair," as he responds to three thorny issues for some. He agrees Fallout 3 as a first-person shooter is "just mediocre", that the team has learnt how "p*ssed off" fans were it ended and he likes to "blow people's heads off" in V.A.T.S.
MTV Multiplayer asked Bethesda if PlayStation 3 owners will get the same patch as PC/360 players that allows for exploration of the Fallout map after the final mission, receiving a response of blunt disappointment. Executive producer Todd Howard nonchalantly replied, "Not at this time, no."
According to a report from GameSpot, Bethesda has confirmed that the upcoming Fallout 3 DLC, The Pitt and Broken Steel, will now be released a month later than originally planned. "The next DLC for Fallout 3, The Pitt, will be out in March," said Bethesda vice president of marketing Pete Hines. "Broken Steel will be out the following month, in April."
This month's UK OXM magazine has dirt on Bethesda's upcoming second DLC for Fallout 3 which is set in Pittsburgh; where raiders and slaves call home. They hint at some more delicious moral quandaries and the chance to pick up three new perks. Apparently you'll work to infiltrate the raiders and learn of their mutant experiments.
Bethesda has released the latest patch for Fallout 3 on both Xbox 360 and PC in preperation for The Pitt DLC which arrives this month. More interestingly the patch has also provided a visual upgrade to the Xbox 360 version of the game. The update has secretly added specular maps which help combat 'flat' textures.