I had to do a double take to make sure April 1st hadn't come early. This is the best gaming news I've heard all year: my favorite franchise making a return soon. After several years of no news since Bethesda's acquisition of Fallout, I had all but lost hope.

On one hand, I'm a bit skeptical that it'll hold true to it's roots because it isn't being developed by Interplay...

...but on the other hand, I'm quite a bit hopeful that it'll actually come out this time because it isn't being developed by Interplay.

In terms of actually how long I've waited for certain sequels, this beat Bioshock by far. System Shock was awesome, but Fallout, man, it's something else. I don't expect it to be anything like the old games but I think it might be a good thing as well. It's almost 10 years since the first game came out, and while it's still one of the first and still the best "nu-skool" RPGs for the PC, improvements on the genre has been made since.

I wish they could just break the ice and tell us about the most fundamental change everyone is anxious about: whenever it's going to be the old isometric view or first-person. Seeing as Bethesda is a studio that prefers the latter, maybe that's what we should expect. But then again, they might try to make it entirely different from the Elder Scrolls games. Ah well, I feel confident in Bethesda. Bioware seem to rush their RPGs way too much nowadays, so I feel that Bethesda could do a better job than Bioware, even though Bioware has history with Black Isle.

dv8godd, you pinned my hopes and fears perfectly. I appreciate that this will come out, but I fear that it will somehow destroy the series.

I mean, I loved my ability to shoot someone in the groin from yards away with a Turbo Plasma Rifle, kill anyone, etc. If it doesn't have both that freedom as well as well as the distinct Fallout charm (let there be in-jokes!), then it won't be Fallout and the series will become truly dead. And I will cry.

Best. News. Ever.

The first two Fallout games had the perfect blend of horror and comedy. Let's just hope they keep it for the third one.

Any news on the Fallout MMORPG?

YES!

Bethesda is probably the best group for the job. They've always been passionate about the kill-anyone do-anything rpg format.

War never changes.

So the basic gameplay better not.

"I mean, I loved my ability to shoot someone in the groin from yards away with a Turbo Plasma Rifle, kill anyone, etc. If it doesn't have both that freedom as well as well as the distinct Fallout charm (let there be in-jokes!), then it won't be Fallout and the series will become truly dead. And I will cry."

The in jokes may not make it but the freedom definitly will, Oblivion is amazingly open ended, you can kill absolutely anyone in the game, and if you survive the repercussions then you can just keep playing, so I wouldn't worry about that aspect.

Great news, I think this alone will make me buy a Xbox360. Let's hope this comes out with the same time as v2 without the ring of death. That way, Ill be Power Gloving people in the eye when I get caught trying to steal their Gauss Rifle in no time.

As much as people want it to stay "true" to the series, I think anything that looks and plays as retro as the original and sequel and the spinoff would be shunned and a flop in todays gaming world. While I personally don't want this to turn into a FPS, shit popping out behind every corner to kill you, DOOMesque style game, I can see them doing it to Fallout. On the same note, I'd love to see how big and open ended they make the world and exploration abilities.

"While I personally don't want this to turn into a FPS, shit popping out behind every corner to kill you, DOOMesque style game, I can see them doing it to Fallout."

I would cry, along with many other fans of the series. At the same time, the public will love it and it would be a hit. And then we'll cry some more.

"On the same note, I'd love to see how big and open ended they make the world and exploration abilities."

This is also something I fear: Bethesda's worlds are simply *too* expansive, at the cost of being soulless. That there are dungeons scattered about is meaningless in a Fallout context - every location in the Fallout world has had significance and justification for being there.

Awesome news, but I do hope the formula isn't messed with too much. I loved both Fallout games, but, to be honest, I don't want it to be the same Elder Scrolls interface as Oblivion in a new setting -- which is what I'd be scared might happen. But regardless, I can't wait to get another taste of mutants, Brotherhood of Steel, aliens, etc -- even if the formula is changed.

I AM SO EXCITED! :)

1 and 2 are definitely my favorite games of all time, so heres hoping they don't mess it up.

Since it is from the developers of Oblivion (also a great game) I feel pretty confident. I am sure it will use the oblivion engine, be 1st/3rd person, and will allow you to explore just like Oblivion does today.

I bet the inside jokes will make it too, at least they better. The humor was one of the best parts of the fallout franchise.

WOO! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! FALLOUT!!! X-com would've been better, but this will more than do.

Bethesda will ruin it - like star trek and most other buggy games they did. it's really sad that they have the licence now - i can imagine better than training a jump skill by bunny hopping the entire, barren planet (see morrowwind).

"Just make sure you get more than three voice actors this time"

I highly agree, that's what really kills Oblivion for me.

The Good News - A MASSIVE(!) environment that is beautifully lit and textured.

The Bad News - Real short main story line...

You DID say this is Bethesda, yeah?

This better be a turn based RPG God dammit. Those two games (not fallout tactics) were some of the most intriguing\funny\engrossing games ever made. Here's hoping they take their time and do a good job.

Two headed cows and zombies with a conscience! It's rpg rapture and we are among the chosen!

Fallout be praised! Fallout be praised!

...I'm stoked.

@hillsh
I think I remember them saying that combat would be real-time, but not FT style, more fast paced. I am not certain what do I feel about it, other than Arcanum's battle system sucked balls.

I hate to say it but I think DashTheHand is right: I don't see the series succeeding if it stays too old school. The most we can likely hope for is Oblivion with a major Fallout makeover and that's pretty depressing... but I love the ES series and I love Fallout, so I'll probably play it and enjoy it anyway.

If they turn it into a fucking FPS, I will not give it a second look.

This is horrible, horrible news. Bethesda stated that this game is NOT going to be turn based/isometric like the old Fallout games.

Like MagicApple said, "Bethesda's worlds are simply *too* expansive, at the cost of being soulless. Every location in the Fallout world has had significance and justification for being there."

Let Fallout rest in peace goddammit!!!

Let not Fallout suffer the same fate as Shadowrun!

A FPS would be truly dissapointing, as would turning the Fallout cannon into a sci-fi Oblivion, but I don't think that's ever been Bethesda's intention.

I read (in the same interview I think, maybe not) that Bethesda is using the same engine as TES IV, which makes me a little bit wary. But nobody's comparing Gears of War to Rainbow Six, and they both run on the Unreal 3 engine.

Just glad to see a series that's so overdue for resurrection finally get a proper one.

Fallout, by far, is my favorite gaming franchise. No other games have so heavily immersed me into the setting, characters, and events as the Fallouts have.

I really enjoyed the immersion of Oblivion, but its hard for me to get into the elves and orcs in fantasy. If all they do is slap on a Fallout theme on Oblivion, I would be pleased. But, if they create revolutionary game-play that intensifies the immersion into the game, this has 'Best Game of All Time' potential, to me. =)

Throwing in my two cents that I loved the original and cannot wait for this incarnation, as long as it doesn't become Oblivion in a post nuclear world. Civ gameplay hasn't changed all that much, people still love it. Fallout could be similarly handled.