Fallout Developers Profile - Michael Dean

[Brother None]

You'd almost figure we aren't doing these any more, wouldn't you? But there's still tons of Fallout developers we never talked to and every now and again you chance on one, as I did with Michael Dean, the third artist to join the Fallout team.<blockquote>Were there things that you wished you had added to either Fallouts?

I wish I would have made more creatures. We certainly would have put in anything that was cool and fit into the game universe, and it would have been cool to vary it up even more. I would have liked to have stuck it out a few more months until the game shipped.

What were you favourite places in fallout and why?

I loved the destroyed cities. Gary Platner really brought his skills to the table for the environments.

What is your hope for future Fallout games? Would you like to be a part of a future Fo team?

I'd like to see future Fallouts bring the character back to the game. Fallout had those little bits and pieces scattered throughout the game and the details of the design which gave the game more depth than many of its counterparts. Design, art, and programming was all quite freeform in the details as we went about turning the game into something that belonged to us, but everyone was also very focused and hard-working throughout the project.</blockquote>Link: Fallout Developers Profile - Michael Dean.

 

[iridium_ionizer]

We certainly would have put in anything that was cool and fit into the game universe, and it would have been cool to vary it up even more.

Sounds like the schizophrenic amusement park we know as Fallout 3.

I'd like to see future Fallouts bring the character back to the game. Fallout had those little bits and pieces scattered throughout the game and the details of the design which gave the game more depth than many of its counterparts. Design, art, and programming was all quite freeform in the details as we went about turning the game into something that belonged to us, but everyone was also very focused and hard-working throughout the project.

Wait. Was that a slight on Fallout 3's lack of depth and focus?

 

[***F.E.A.R.***MaNiaC]

Sounds like the schizophrenic amusement park we know as Fallout 3.

See:

We certainly would have put in anything that was cool and fit into the game universe, and it would have been cool to vary it up even more.

thats how it differs from F3

Wait. Was that a slight on Fallout 3's lack of depth and focus?

if it wasnt, i eat my hat.

 

[Brother None]

Sounds like the schizophrenic amusement park we know as Fallout 3.

That's what I thought when I first read the interview.

But it reminds me of a conversation I had with a developer ages ago (don't remember who) about how the most important thing is - regardless of if you're developing with broad team ideas or under tight auspices of a single person - that there is a core team that safeguards the consistency of the game. I would figure the 6 core developers (Jason Taylor, Chris Taylor, Scott Campbell, Leonard Boyarsky, Jason Anderson, Tim Cain) had that task for Fallout.

In any case, it worked out ok. I guess it might depend on the personality, management skill and design talent of the core group.

Wait. Was that a slight on Fallout 3's lack of depth and focus?

Dunno. Let's not assume so.

 

[Ausir]

Wait. Was that a slight on Fallout 3's lack of depth and focus?

More likely at all Fallout sequels and spin-offs in general, not just Fallout 3.

 

[iridium_ionizer]

Wait. Was that a slight on Fallout 3's lack of depth and focus?

KGB Operative in her Sultry Russian Accent: You assume too much. [fires Makarov PM at iridium_ionizer]

[iridium_ionizer was critically hit in the the head for 127 hit points and killed. His assumptions explode like a blood sausage.]

 

[Jenx]

We certainly would have put in anything that was cool and fit into the game universe

Finally someone in Beth that gets the point.

11. In your opinion, what are the key ingredients that every RPG should have?

Simplicity in base design, gameplay, and story. Details that a player won't really focus on, but that bring the world to life behind the scenes. Assume your player base is intelligent, and refuse to dumb down a game to make it "more like bestselling Game X."

I'm starting to like this guy.

 

[Ausir]

Finally someone in Beth that gets the point.

Er... in Beth?

 

[Seymour the spore plant]

Awesome interview. The more of these I read, the clearer it becomes to me how Fallout managed to turn out so good, they sure had a kickass team in all fronts.

Even if a sequel or two happen to let you down

He feels our pain.

 

[Jenx]

Finally someone in Beth that gets the point.

Er... in Beth?

...Wait, nevermind. My bad. (I should learn to read before I actually post)

 

[TychoXI]

I'd like to see future Fallouts bring the character back to the game. Fallout had those little bits and pieces scattered throughout the game and the details of the design which gave the game more depth than many of its counterparts. Design, art, and programming was all quite freeform in the details as we went about turning the game into something that belonged to us, but everyone was also very focused and hard-working throughout the project.

Wait. Was that a slight on Fallout 3's lack of depth and focus?

Dunno, but this certainly is:

Simplicity in base design, gameplay, and story. Details that a player won't really focus on, but that bring the world to life behind the scenes. Assume your player base is intelligent, and refuse to dumb down a game to make it "more like bestselling Game X.

 

[TheRatKing]

Just swap Game X with Oblivion and you've got a scandal on your hands!

*sigh* It would be a lot more funny if it hadn't happened...

 

[Cimmerian Nights]

Simplicity in base design, gameplay, and story. Details that a player won't really focus on, but that bring the world to life behind the scenes. Assume your player base is intelligent, and refuse to dumb down a game to make it "more like bestselling Game X.

Intelligent gamers aren't buying Pete Hines a new home by the shore.

 

[Brother None]

Dunno, but this certainly is:

I think that's about the industry in general...

I mean, this is a guy who worked on Fallout, Arcanum and Deus Ex. If we took such games as the standard, the current state of the industry is rather uninspired.

 

[4too]

Group Think Groupies

Group Think Groupies

Intelligent gamers aren't buying Pete Hines a new home by the shore.

Appears some sociological set of 'intelligent' are 'gaga' over B-soft extrusions.

It's in some subset of the "gamer" domain that is donating to the greater good of ... B-soft.

Such as the 'reviewers' lip locked in seeming ecstatic rapture that mayhap only school girls and or nuns once held privy.

This 'true love' set appears always forgiving, fo' luv is blind, as if B-soft QA and redemption are on a foreseeable event horizon.

The warm and fuzzy feel good / group think / groupie stigmata must be as powerful a pay off as any drug experience.

Hooked on ... ? A just say NO policy appears as weak and wimpy as any 12 step behavioral reprogramming.

The power of ... Huxley's lyric in 'Brave New World' ---> " " ... hug me till you drug me ... " "



4too