“The Boneyard is a desolate place, full of broken-down planes and run-down vehicles smack bang in the middle of the desert, more than slightly reminiscent of the aircraft graveyards featured in films like Con Air. Yet this is Rubi’s home, and like any good action hero, her home is stocked full of guns and platforms to keep her amused–but make no mistake, this is no Croft Manor. The Boneyard level will be accessible at any point in the game, and you will be able to use it as a training ground for new skills picked up during the single-player campaign. You can also participate in time trials and challenges.”
So we know WET’s all about stylish action coupled with a Tarantino-esque narrative; how significant is the story told in the game? Do you think games have the ability to tell memorable tales just as well as other mediums such as films?
AW:I think story is important in giving context to the situations in the game. It’s more fun taking on enemies and working your way through levels if you understand why your protagonist is there and if you’re given a lot of flavour to your bad guys. I think that’s something we do quite well in WET.
With another Fallout 3 Game Add-On Pack on store shelves this week, David Hodgson, author of the Fallout 3 Game Guide, is at it again with a new guide covering Broken Steel and Point Lookout. To coincide with the new guide, he’s got a new blog post up at the Prima Games Author Blog (head there for a sample of pages from the guide).
Take it away, David…
My Wasteland wandering took a turn for the swampy over the past couple of months when I attempted a meander through the wilds of Point Lookout, and furthered my cunning adventures across the Capital Wasteland in Broken Steel. The information I accrued, including some delicious Easter Eggs never seen outside of the Bethesda compound, are all bundled up nicely in the third (or fourth) official strategy guide, on sale now (August 25th). Naturally I was more than eager to explore every nook, cranny, and deranged Russian bear nest around, and thankfully the good folks at Bethesda were there for the highs (setting fire to an occult tome of fearsome power) and the lows (weeping at the headless torso of a favorite robot), as well as the stuff only the truly deranged would ever find (like that sunken ocean treasure with no buoy marker).
Those with previous Fallout guide experience will be familiar with the format. To start with, there’s an entertaining Foreward written by a Bethesda staffer, then a chapter all about the new entities, Perks, and other matters that affect your character’s ongoing well-being. Tips on all the new Perks you receive throughout your increased level cap are of particular interest, but there’s also complete statistical evidence for every new item, weapon, and inventory piece that sometimes borders on the insanely-meticulous. Did you know, for example, that the Police Hat is the only headgear you can wear with “that scar” on your head? If you did, you’ve probably been playing this game too much, but even so, you’ll still need to add this tome to your collection.
Due to the fact that Point Lookout receives a thorough inspection and trek, the Enhanced chapters are only for the additional items you receive during the two new content releases, which is what this guide is mainly all about; Broken Steel and Point Lookout. When you’re ready to embark on an Enclave-culling campaign, you’d expect there to be copious and detailed notes on every move you can make throughout Broken Steel… and you’d be right. But you’ll also be happy to find newly-updated maps showing exactly how the Capital Wasteland has changed since the invention and distribution of Aqua Pura. Every single new occurrence is logged, as well as all the Miscellaneous and Freeform Quests so you don’t miss a trick. Whether it’s befriending Bandits or shaking down a Ghoul with a bad wig, there’s a wealth of information to share here. So we did.
The gloomy and violent Point Lookout has an atmosphere so thick you could cut with a spoon. So we chartered a Ferryboat and turned over every rock and dived into the ocean depths to locate every single item in this brand-new region. Aside from taking you through the Main, Miscellaneous and Freeform Quests in these parts, there’s an extra-massive Tour chapter with dozens of secondary locations. Need to know the precise location of the downed Jet pilot, and know what was on his Blackbox voice recorder? Maybe you don’t, but we’re telling you anyway. Heck, there’s even a trip back to the Dunwich Building for a certain, supernatural Quest.
We sincerely hope you enjoy perusing through this guide as much as I did blasting Ghouls and Ghoul hunters in Plik’s private safari. After a quick trip around low-earth orbit for an extra-special final guide later this year that could cause a hernia if you lift it, my year-and-a-half rampage through the Capital Wasteland may soon be at an end….
Purchase the original guide HERE or the Limited Edition Collector’s EditionHERE.
Purchase the Game Add-On Guide for Operation Anchorage and The PittHERE.
Purchase the Game Add-On Guide for Broken Steel and Point Lookout HERE.
Credit : bethblog.com
August is the new July, and for that reason, we’re looking back at Planet Elder Scrolls’ Hall of Fame mods for last month.
Morrowind Mods
Oblivion Mods
Congrats to these modders for their hard work. Keep an eye on Planet Elder Scrolls — it won’t be long until August’s Hall of Fame additions are named.
Credit : bethblog.com
Thought I’d share some of the modding highlights I’ve seen in the last month for Fallout 3 and Oblivion.
Earlier in the year, we highlighted piratephil’s Survival Perk Pack. Recently, he let me know that his latest project, Vault Dwellers Survival Cooking Guide, is now available. As the title would indicate, the mod adds a new cooking element to the game with the following features:
More modding news after the break…
At Planet Fallout, Blinzler continues his State of Modding series. In his latest interview, he talks with Drag0ntamer — creator of the popular mods TUPAM - The Ultimate Power Armor Mod and UWWUT - Unique Weapons With Unique Textures. Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
What do you want to learn to do or do better next?
Dragontamer: Model. I can model characters and creatures, but I have no idea how to get them properly rigged and in game when I am done. I know how to rig/animate in Maya but there is no Maya Nifscript support at the moment. I also suck at modeling inorganic things like guns and armor. Learning to do that better would be awesome!
Speaking of Planet Fallout, the current most popular mod on the site is Mini Hideout - Player Home - Katanas by Rayek. The house has plenty to offer — a new Bobblehead display stand, barber, and most importantly, a jacuzzi!
Wrapping up our Fallout 3 modding coverage, if you’re in the UK, check out pages 104 & 105 of the September issue of PC Zone. They highlight several community favorites, including Fallout Script Extender, Fellout, Mart’s Mutant Mod, Alternate Start, The Global Tarvel System, GNR: More Where That Came From.
Someone say script extender? The OBSE team has put up a new update for Oblivion Script Extender…download it here.
While it doesn’t have a jacuzzi, mr._siika’s Castle Seaview has one hell of a view, an animated roasted pig in the kitchen, and yes, even a bathtub. For discussion on this beauty of a mod, visit here.
Finally, there’s new screenshots for Nehrim — a total conversion project for Oblivion that we’ve been tracking for some time. For the latest news on this ambitious project, visit here.
That’s all for now. If there’s a mod that strikes your fancy, shoot us an email.
Here’s some of the latest online coverage — in case you’re having a slow Saturday like me.
If you haven’t checked out Drakortha’s Fallout 3 fan videos, definitely give hischannel a look. His latest video, The DC Chronicles Ep 3 - Tunnels (above), is quite entertaining.
Sites continue to look back at Fallout 3. GamesRadar includes Fallout 3 a a feature about games from 2008 they can’t stop playing. Meanwhile,Geek.com has their own look back.
Gamasutra has a new interview with Ed Stern — Senior Game Designer at Splash Damage for Brink. Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
Kris Graft: What about accessibility? You guys have a background in hardcore shooters, but I’ve always thought that something like Valve’s Team Fortress 2, for example, is a shooter that somebody who’s not good at shooters can still play.
ES: Well, that’s why we hired Richard Ham. He was one of the co-creators of Syphon Filter. He put The Sims on the consoles, which as far as I’m concerned is a superpower. That is a certifiable achievement. And he just finished Fable 2. He is brilliant at taking a system and making it easy to get into.
In WET news, Play Magazine has a new feature on Gaming’s New Girls — featuring the game’s lead character, Rubi Malone. WET also gets a mention (as does Rogue Warrior) in a new BBC article discussing Hollywood stars becoming involved in gaming.
In id Software news, in preparation for QuakeCon 2009, there’s a newYouTube video with CEO Todd Hollenshead making wagers with the QuakeCon Girls. If you’re attending the show, you’ll be able to find out who wins the best. Elsewhere, WebDesignDev has a list of the 30 Most Influential People in Programming that includes John Carmack on the list.
Wrapping things up, I thought I’d share some really impressive Fallout 3 Fan Art and Nuka Cola machine spotted by folks at our office.
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