The developer's Pete Hines posted a statement on the Bethesda Blog today, clarifying Howard's comments regarding the future of the Elder Scrolls series.

That was not a direct quote from him. That was someone's interpretation of what he said. I know, I was there. At his QuakeCon talk he was asked when TESV is coming out and Todd replied, "Don't look for a new Elder Scrolls game in the near future." He also went on to say how much the franchise means to us and that it definitely will continue. He just wasn't going to provide any timeframe on "when." This should not be news to anyone that has been paying attention. Both Todd and I have said repeatedly that, of course, we're going to do another Elder Scrolls game. The last one was enormously popular. So was the one before that. You get the idea. So do we.

In other words, the fate of the series isn't in question, and it shouldn't be.

Hines goes on in his post to clarify statements Howard made about an Elder Scrolls MMO, pointing out that neither Todd nor anyone on Todd's team worked on MMOs, and when the studio that does work on them - ZeniMax Online - is ready to show what they are creating, they'll show it.

I am trying to imagine an angry Pete Hines here, and it terrifies me. Just believe the man and move on before anyone gets hurt.

Clarifying About Next Elder Scrolls game, MMO, etc. [Bethesda Blog]

Fallout 3's award for Most Unsatisfactory Whoring is but one of myriad awards handed out by Edge this year, including Most Special Special Editions (EA), Best Flop (Boom Blox), and Wettest Hats (Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway), but Fallout's gets me the most, simply because I was going to mention the boring whoring in my review but thought better of it.

We tried this simply out of academic interest,‭ ‬of course,‭ ‬but we hoped our solicitations might have a better payoff.‭ ‬It’s not that we need a Hot Coffee-style QTE,‭ ‬but lying fully clothed on a bed before the screen blanks and awakening,‭ ‬often with the object of your investment still wandering about the room,‭ ‬does little for us.‭ ‬At least Fable II gives a chance of contracting an STD.

I have contacted Bethesda's Pete Hines to see if we can get an explanation, and to inquire as to the possibility of a whoring patch included in future DLC.

The Alternative Edge Awards 2008 [Edge]

While there is still no news on console fixes, the PC version will be getting a patch today to deal with some PC-specific issues. Hopefully they'll take care of the dreadful V.A.T.S. slowdown I've been experiencing on the platform. Fingers crossed.

Fallout 3 PC to get patch "later today" [Eurogamer]

Bethesda: We're "Always Nervous" About Reviews [EDGE]

Fallout 3 hasn't just gone cold turkey in Australia, mind you, as Bethesda's Pete Hines tells Edge that any and all references to real-world drugs have been removed — from all versions.

“I didn't want people continuing to assume the version in Australia was some altered version when it's not,” Hines tells Edge. "To avoid confusion among people in different territories, we decided to make those substitutions in all versions of the game, in all territories.”

There are "no references to real world drugs in any version of Fallout 3," ensuring that drug habits in our planet's youth will be curbed before they can ever begin.

At the very least, we appreciate Bethesda Softworks for being forthcoming. Now, to shoot up and forget this whole thing ever happened. Gotta curb these fist shakes directed at our bureaucrats down under.

Censors Force Fallout 3 Changes [Edge]

"Not at launch...It remains to be seen what we do down the road. It wasn't something we were able to incorporate into the game for launch."

Not all that surprising, considering the company's documented preference for the Xbox 360. Hopefully trophy support will be added somewhere down the line, but Pete sure doesn't come off as that enthusiastic about the idea, does he?

No trophy support for Fallout 3 at launch [PSU]

"When you build it as one thing, there's no way to portion off a section and have it stand on its own without putting the whole game in the demo, which we're just not going to do," said Hines. "And it doesn't really capture the fun of a game like an Elder Scrolls or a Fallout, where you can go where you want and do what you want. So no demo, sorry."

Fallout 3 demo not possible [Eurogamer]

Bethesda's Pete Hines told UK mag PC Zone that, despite being Fallout fans themselves:

Not everybody is going to agree with the game we're making: it's a solid-gold lock... some folks just aren't going to give it a chance out of the box.

Wait. Gamers being fickle? Impossible! At least Hines knows that not everyone can be satisfied all the time, especially a bunch of hyper-critical RPG fans. They're an ornery bunch. Hell, even Hines took time to dig at Fallout spin-off Brotherhood of Steel. He can take and give, just like the rest of the armchair designers. Michael McWhertor

Bethesda: "Some will like Fallout 3, some will hate it" [CVG]