Blinzler

hehe. you sound like a more polite version of me (long time no see btw). I'm still around. Mainly on the modding forum on the Bethboard and as Editor on Planet Fallout. You know, the guys who "softball" interviews, to quote BN. I'm fully expecting to see more people from before the release of FO3 once NV get's closer to release and/or it's own forum. Here's to hoping for more interesting discussions.

Never having handled a sword (unless you count the stick turned imaginary sword from a long long time ago) and applying the dreaded "common sense" I'd imagine carrying a sword strapped to your back or backpack is more conductive to hiking across the nuclear wasteland and ruin scape. Having it hanging on your side displays it prominently but is likely to get it in your way while running, caught in brambles etc. Back to the humor discussion of Fallout 2. Yes there was a fair share of stayed-in-office-another-night-and-live-on-caffeine type of humor in there. And I welcomed it. Let's be honest here - these were always OPTIONS in a vast variety of dialogue choices to choose from. I for one welcome more options rather then outright saying/demanding it doesn't fit, cut it. If you feel that way, fine - I can accept that opinion. But I don't see why I should have to live with your opinion. If you don't want it, just don't click the damn thing. There plenty other that should satisfy your tastes. Comparing Fallout 3's writing here I have to say Bethesdas approach often found me looking back jealously. There's various dialogue options in Fallout 3 that just seemed lackluster and not hitting the right tone - when choosing some [science] option I often found the choice of words didn't reflect it and only by the tag in front I was able to identify which skill represents what option. Fallout 2 was very much more obvious (in a good way) there. Besides which Fallout 2 seemed to offer vastly more to read then Fallout 3 does. All of which is not to say Fallout 3 is a complete loss. I really liked Moira's questline and her voice-overs really hit the tone right.

You know what kind of funny I'd love to see in Fallout ? His kind.

FYI: From the official press release via Pete Hines.

You should give "The Pitt" a try. If not for the story itself, then for the design, because they truly hit the idea of the Fallout world with the look of this one.

Apparently I'm one of the few gamers who actually liked the humor of Fallout 2, a lot. I dunno, I see it as a defense mechanism against the really f'ed up world the character lives in. Just be a smartmouth about it and try to smooth over things with a bit of humor when you once again stepped in big steaming pile of brahmin poo. That's one option I sorely missed in Fallout 3.

Please don't jinx Bethesda obtaining the Torment license. *kills himself* why would bethesda getting ps:t be a bad thing. if same progression is followed, ps:t would become amazing popular and then obsidian would do a sequel/expansion. worst case scenario would be that a terrible game would be released with planescape name... which is somehow worse than no new games with planescape name? is a no lose situation. regardless, it not seem possible. d&d is a wotc property and planescape is a dead setting. is hard to imagine what kinda wackiness would have to occur for a publisher to actively pursue the property AND for wotc to agree to the development. HA! Good Fun! Unless Bethesda get's some incredibly talented and dedicated writers, that would be a bad thing. If there's ever to be a PS:T sequel it needs to shine on story, dialogues & quests. Some areas Bethesda games are somewhat dim in.

My vote would be away from a main quest and instead offer more quests that are tailored to different "character sets" or skills. That way the experience a gunslinger has could dramatically differ from the experience an egghead has or a post-nuclear socialite. Rather then do quest X again with your new char you do a different quest or approach a different character to see the same basic plot of a quest, but from a unique perspective depending on who you talk to, what that person does and what you do (or can do, skill-wise). Example: Main quest plot is that a casino is going to be robbed. Sneaky char: is going to be a member of those guys doing the heist - either for personal profit (maybe further spreading into the "honor among thiefs" or the backstabbing "there can only be one" free-for-all-shootout) or as mole for the law? mob? Science guy: while being nosy and hacking various terminals you find some clues that lead you to collect information on the upcoming heist - what will you do? Sell the information for fun? Blackmail the potential robbers? Set up a trap to make it look like a heist gone bad but make off with the spoils? Tech guy: due to your skilled hands and mind and since nobody knows you, you're approached for some specialized equipment - some heavy cutting equipment, a by-pass module for some data-cables etc. Charming socialite: a heist went off and it was a big one. Now people need answers, but no one wants to talk. And along comes you with a smile on your face and silver tongue. etc.