Todd Howard Q&A on Gamespot

[Sander]

No, it has to be isometric. For several reasons; first, it's much easier to get an overview of combat (I often got lost in Dungeon siege, see) and a 3D engine is unnecessary for a TB game, IMO. Could be useful for a tactical RTS, but not a TB CRPG like Fallout. Also, you can achieve much more beautiful and detailed environments with an isometric 2D engine. Compare The Fall to Baldur's gate 2, or even Fallout 2 for that matter, you'll see what I mean. [/quote]
I'm sorry, Baboon, but you're plain wrong here. There is no reason whatsoever why you couldn't have isometric in a 3d environment. Give the camera free swing and a locking possibility, which is very easy to do, and you can give both parts of the world what they want: isometric AND 3d free-swing camera. Not putting in a 3D grahpics engine would probably prevent a lot of people from buying it, it's commercially unacceptable.

Although, I must say one thing: this is going too far. Everyone's already judging Bethesda, but no-one's given them really the time to come up with some good answers or some good replies. Come on, they've had 3 days since it was announced, and a couple of weeks since they knew it. They're still discussing the advantages and disadvantages of everything. Don't judge them yet.

 

[victor]

I'm sorry, Baboon, but you're plain wrong here. There is no reason whatsoever why you couldn't have isometric in a 3d environment. Give the camera free swing and a locking possibility, which is very easy to do, and you can give both parts of the world what they want: isometric AND 3d free-swing camera. Not putting in a 3D grahpics engine would probably prevent a lot of people from buying it, it's commercially unacceptable.

Ok, I admit this. It would be commercially unacceptable. But what do you do about the low detail? 2D isometric looks so much better, IMO. Neverwinter nights looked kinda sterile, didn't it? And detail in 3D engines hasn't evolved much since, at least when looking at The Fall.

 

[Sander]

Ok, I admit this. It would be commercially unacceptable. But what do you do about the low detail? 2D isometric looks so much better, IMO. Neverwinter nights looked kinda sterile, didn't it? And detail in 3D engines hasn't evolved much since, at least when looking at The Fall.

Neverwinter Nights had the crappiest engine ever, and the worst design team as well.
You need a quality graphics design time. The graphics don't need to be great, the graphics need to be fitting. There's no need to go 2d for that, and there's no need to demand that 3d isn't used either. They'll use 3d, and quite frankly, this isn't really a problem.

 

[victor]

There's no need to go 2d for that, and there's no need to demand that 3d isn't used either. They'll use 3d, and quite frankly, this isn't really a problem.

Let's hope so. They have yet to prove their skills in that field (isometric 3D camera).

 

[Roshambo]

Although, I must say one thing: this is going too far. Everyone's already judging Bethesda, but no-one's given them really the time to come up with some good answers or some good replies. Come on, they've had 3 days since it was announced, and a couple of weeks since they knew it. They're still discussing the advantages and disadvantages of everything. Don't judge them yet.

I think it is perfectly reasonable to expect the fans to be impatient. They (Bethesda) have been drooling at Fallout for some time, so they should at least have some idea of how it would be planned, else why buy it for that much, over those who are widely recognized as the preferable house to develop a sequel? A couple of weeks is more than enough time to figure that either they intend to keep to the original design and know what it is, or if they are going to do as Pete Hines has said and play to their strengths.

There's an unbelievable amount of press given over this, especially interviews, that are completely empty of anything but fluff and reassurances that we're supposed to follow and wait and see if they do or do not bother to perform common courtesy.

If they are going to buy a franchise out from under those the fans consider to be the best choice (either implying asinine intent, greedy intent, or just being naive), exactly what the fuck do these people think they can do and plan on doing with it? With that kind of move, they had better start talking, soon, and without the PR bullshit, either.

 

[Sander]

Let's hope so. They have yet to prove their skills in that field (isometric 3D camera).

There's no need to alter graphics because some people like to see it from an isometric point of view. It's a lot simpler in 3d: you make the models and the skins normally, and you let the player decide where to put the camera. The design of the graphics has very little to do with the position of the camera.

 

[jr.]

I too would prefer an isometric game, but it seems quite clear to me that it's not going to happen with FO3 no matter what.

why? from a technical standpoint, it's the best choice. an isometric view plus good occlusion volumes'd allow much better graphics than anything in a 1st/3rd person perspective.

 

[SumsoluS]

I too would prefer an isometric game, but it seems quite clear to me that it's not going to happen with FO3 no matter what.

why? from a technical standpoint, it's the best choice. an isometric view plus good occlusion volumes'd allow much better graphics than anything in a 1st/3rd person perspective.

problem is common sense is required for them to do it and if you look at rosh's sig, thats why it will not happen.

 

[jesawyer]

Now, it does mean the control scheme would have to stay simple due to the constraints of a console controller, but that's hardly a problem for Fallout, given how well-designed the user interface is in in FO, FO2, and even Tactics was smart enough to keep it close to that.

FO, FO2, and Tactics were all PC games that didn't have to deal with TV resolutions.

If they are going to buy a franchise out from under those the fans consider to be the best choice (either implying asinine intent, greedy intent, or just being naive), exactly what the fuck do these people think they can do and plan on doing with it? With that kind of move, they had better start talking, soon, and without the PR bullshit, either.

Or what, you'll start acting like an asshole?

 

[Sander]

FO, FO2, and Tactics were all PC games that didn't have to deal with TV resolutions.

Que? Either you took the wrong quote, or I'm not getting your point...

PS: Come here to express your views on a new FO3, JE?

 

[SimpleMinded]

hey JE, good to hear from you again. Time for me to scan for any posts you make about the situation at Bethesda as I'm curious to hear your views.

To the rest of the group, I was scanning the PC Gamer forums and saw this disheartening bit by their editor in chief:

We're already on the job, trying to get to the bottom of this. One thing's for sure -- I would not mind a Morrowind-style Fallout. Sounds pretty great to me.
But I have a feeling that Bethesda is still in the earliest phases of planning the game. They only secured the license a couple of days ago...the real work of development is only just beginning.

-DRM


Morrowind with guns... is looked forward to? Ugh.

 

[Brother None]

If they are going to buy a franchise out from under those the fans consider to be the best choice (either implying asinine intent, greedy intent, or just being naive), exactly what the fuck do these people think they can do and plan on doing with it? With that kind of move, they had better start talking, soon, and without the PR bullshit, either.

Or what, you'll start acting like an asshole?

ahahahaha!

Oh c'mon, JE, you know you love him

 

[Roshambo]

Now, it does mean the control scheme would have to stay simple due to the constraints of a console controller, but that's hardly a problem for Fallout, given how well-designed the user interface is in in FO, FO2, and even Tactics was smart enough to keep it close to that.

FO, FO2, and Tactics were all PC games that didn't have to deal with TV resolutions.

I'm a little mystified here, too.

Or what, you'll start acting like an asshole?

Damn...you have a point, there...

 

[jesawyer]

FO, FO2, and Tactics were all PC games that didn't have to deal with TV resolutions.

Que? Either you took the wrong quote, or I'm not getting your point...

The controller isn't necessarily the issue if someone is looking to have a Fallout-style interface on an XBox or PS2. However, replicating even the 640 pixel-wide interface from Fallout 1 on the lowest XBox or PS2 resolution would be effectively impossible.

 

[Odin]

The controller isn't necessarily the issue if someone is looking to have a Fallout-style interface on an XBox or PS2. However, replicating even the 640 pixel-wide interface from Fallout 1 on the lowest XBox or PS2 resolution would be effectively impossible.

I wouldn't want to control a Fallout game on the Xbox..yuk!

 

[victor]

I can see that one of the positive aspects of a 3D engine is that it's easier to make. In the 2D isometric, you have to make tons of sprites, and lots of animations. Like they explained about VB some time ago. Can't remember.

But if they make it 3D isometric, and get the low details of the NWN engine (incidentally, also the KOTOR engine), then no thanks.

 

[Roshambo]

The controller isn't necessarily the issue if someone is looking to have a Fallout-style interface on an XBox or PS2.

Maybe, and as a guess perhaps the GameCube. It would feel a bit hokey, though.

It would work best as the original design, amusingly enough. Add more action aspects into it and the controls become needlessly complicated for a CRPG that's supposedly according to P&P RPG style.

However, replicating even the 640 pixel-wide interface from Fallout 1 on the lowest XBox or PS2 resolution would be effectively impossible.

Wait...false alarm, folks. This is JE's Pod Person. You can tell it's the Pod Person whenever he goes off into a tangent with little warning. Seriously, who WOULD try to get the old Fallout engine working on the XBOX? Wait...I have a feeling the answer would be very scary indeed.

 

[jesawyer]

I wouldn't want to control a Fallout game on the Xbox..yuk!

I don't think executing Fallout game commands via an XBox or PS2 controller would be bad. I would miss the point-and-click interface more than anything.

I can see that one of the positive aspects of a 3D engine is that it's easier to make. In the 2D isometric, you have to make tons of sprites, and lots of animations. Like they explained about VB some time ago. Can't remember.

But if they make it 3D isometric, and get the low details of the NWN engine (incidentally, also the KOTOR engine), then no thanks.

I think Final Fantasy: Tactics benefitted greatly from having 3D terrain rotation.

Wait...false alarm, folks. This is JE's Pod Person. You can tell it's the Pod Person whenever he goes off into a tangent with little warning. Seriously, who WOULD try to get the old Fallout engine working on the XBOX? Wait...I have a feeling the answer would be very scary indeed.

When I worked on the Van Buren interfaces, I tried to replicate the general layout of the Fallout PC games for continuity. The same could be tried on whatever Bethesda makes.

 

[Roshambo]

When I worked on the Van Buren interfaces, I tried to replicate the general layout of the Fallout PC games for continuity. The same could be tried on whatever Bethesda makes.

I would hope so. I've been in interface testing and know many aspects of the design. Deviating from the game layout when it worked well previous...sorry, not a good decision. That is yet another aspect that needs to be carefully observed and discussed. One of many I'm afraid, since the development styles of TES and Fallout are so different.

 

[p1t]

I always thought that I feel like most of the Fallout fans. But now... What's happenin? A great developer AND publisher comes and buys the franchise from IPLY. And they already made some real good games in the past. They say that F3 will NOT be Morrowind-with-guns. They just announced the beginning of the work. Still, you keep yelling, crying and bitching about TB and isometric and SPECIAL and X-box. Sure, as my fav game is Fallout, I love SPECIAL and TB, and Fallout is not Fallout without them. That's true. And I too hate those f*cking consoles. Still, if Xbox could handle KOTOR... Maybe... But isometric??? In 2004? Or whenever they'll release it? Where are you living??? Under a freakin rock? You want some ugly sprites running up and down? Please think about it. After so many years, the game is upon its safe way to publishing. If they are real fans, than they MUST know the essentials of Fallout. The mood, the world, the SPECIAL system. Oh, and TB, maybe. But why would you want to have a game look like -excuse me- shit, when it can look like heaven (maybe hell would fit the world better...)? Does it hurt you? And I'm not talking about FPS or TPS like in Morrowind. Have ANYONE played with KOTOR, or NWN? That's 3D, but in an isometric way. And it's beatufil, man. They know how much freedom in gameplay is important. Have anyone here played Morrowind for instance? If not, try it. It's not Fallout, that's okay. But its world is free. You want roleplay? They know roleplay. The evidence is Morrowind again. You want deep-to-the-knee fights? I will. not repeat myself. So people, give em a break. Let them do their job. Don't bitch around stupid things. Be creative, help them. Maybe give them ideas, I don't know. But anyway, let them live. Don't be a f*ckin retard... Please.
P.S.:sorry, I'm in a f*cking bad mood...