Bethesda Softworks has demanded requested all videogame sites remove Fallout 3 trailers due to an ESRB compliance issue. While the letter sent to editors of sites hosting the content, including our sister-site Big Download, is extremely vague it's left the gaming world scratch their head considering gamers are getting their hands on the title today.
"In connection with ESRB's advertising guidelines, you are instructed to remove immediately any of our Fallout 3 trailers from your website, pending further notice. Thank you for your attention to this matter," reads the email sent from Bethesda VP of Public Relations and Marketing Pete Hines.
Joystiq has contacted Bethesda for more information but you're probably on your way to the store right now -- if Fallout 3 appeals to you that is -- so, does it even matter?
It's funny. The reaction to both a nuclear disaster and the release of a long-awaited sequel is essentially the same. You want to stock up on food and supplies, get indoors, seal the exits, and come to terms with the fact that you may never see your family again. Yes, Fallout 3 comes out this week. There are other games coming out this week too. You can read about those below. You know, if you want.
Console gamers may not realize that Fallout 3 isn't the first jump into the post-apocalyptic universe -- you know, if the 3 in the title wasn't a glaring indicator. Looking to catch up before Fallout 3 lands on the Xbox 360 tomorrow? GameTrailers has developed a 15-minute retrospective on the famed series that will showcase how Bethesda has decided to evolve the series into an Oblivion style game -- much to the chagrin of some of the original fans. Excited for Fallout 3? Tell us in the comments below but if you've been lucky enough to play it early, do not spoil anything ... a swift banhammer will be in your future if you do!
This week, there is a lot of Xbox 360 new game release deals. So much so, that we'll forgo an overly long intro and just get right to it. So ...
Best Buy is giving out a free beanie hat with purchase of Guitar Hero World Tour, selling Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway for $40 and offering Blitz II for $50. Target stores only have one good deal and that's a free $25 gift card with purchase of an Xbox 360 Arcade console. Circuit City is dishing out the gift cards (as has become the norm), giving away a free $10 gift card with purchase of Fable II, Golden Axe,Far Cry 2, Dead Space, Saints Row 2, and Hell's Highway. You can score a free $10 gift card and mini strategy guide with purchase of Fallout 3 (CE), a free $15 iTunes gift card with purchase of Guitar Hero World Tour and a free t-shirt with Legendary. Phew ... happy shopping!
In another edition of "my console is more powerful than yours", we've been informed that Bethesda's Fallout 3 looks graphically superior on the Xbox 360 when compared to the Playstation 3. Or so says Playstation 3 magazine (PSM3).
You read correctly, the UK's official Playstation magazine PSM3 received some hands-on time with Fallout 3 and, as part of their game review, mentioned that "the PS3 version compares poorly to its Xbox [360] and PC counterparts." How very honest and un-fanboyish of them. But after their pro-360 words caused a stir within' the Playstation community, the PSM3 staff tried to calm Playstation fanboys by "clarifying" their Fallout 3 remarks. "The PS3 version looks the same as on Xbox, but things in the distance are slightly jaggier/rougher, the textures seem 'muddier' up-close and the frame rate is choppier, especially during the last few story missions." Nice attempt at saving face.
It looks like the Xbox 360 is trying to take the piracy crown from PC gaming. Dirty, filthy pirates have leaked copies of the Xbox 360's recently released Fable II and upcoming Fallout 3, Gears of War 2 and even more titles we don't care to list. We're bringing it up because it's news -- and we keep getting a pile of tips about the leaks -- but know that we're just as mad!
All we can do is sit back and hope that they'll trip up and attempt to connect to live and Microsoft initiates "Operation Red Ring of Death" on their disrespectful butts. But, it's cool. We'll buy it and play it legit because we're real gamers and real gamers respect the games we want by throwing down hard earned cash. So, what does that make pirates? Infinitely worse than ninjas. It's a loser by association thing.
Note: We will not post links to these available downloads and any user who attempts to in the comments (or post spoilers) will have their comment deleted and find themselves served with a hefty banhammer.
Over at Gametrailers.com, Bethesda unleashed a video flood of new Fallout 3 gameplay footage that'll more than satisfy your Fallout sweet tooth (if there's such a thing). The four new videos showcase a wide variety of Fallout 3 gameplay including tech, combat and some V.A.T.S. goodness. Watch the video above and make the jump for an additional three other videos. It's Fallout 3, 'nuff said.
It's finished. Bethesda's little massive RPG that could, Fallout 3 has officially gone gold and development is officially complete. Just in time to make it's October 28th release! And, honestly, we don't have to hype up Fallout 3 any more than it already is. Truth be told, Fallout 3 is going to be your RPG crack for the foreseeable year or two. How do we know? Because Bethesda developed it and anything Bethesda does is pure ... well, gold.
Previously, Bethesda made it known that Fallout 3 was getting heat from various game ratings boards around the globe and just revealed that they've removed a drug reference in all versions. A change across the board that'll make the UK, Australia and U.S. versions all the same.
Bethesda's Pete Hines confirmed that they removed the real-world drug Morphine from Fallout 3 due to ratings board issues, opting to replace it with the not so real-world drug called "Med-X". Though, in a statement from Hines to Joystiq, he makes it clear that the drug reference was the only change made to the UK, Australia and US versions mentioning that Bethesda hasn't toned down the violence or bloody dismemberment effects. Just no morphine, because drugs are bad, kids, drugs are bad.
Those lucky sons of guns over at Joystiq got the chance to spend an entire hour with the full version of Fallout 3. Not only that, but they got to do it in a tricked out Airstream trailer at PAX. Remembering the half-hour we had in a crowded room at E3, we've decided that we're jealous. Anywho, the 'Stiq has recorded its impressions of said hour -- for the record, it chose the Evil route -- and listed some important and interesting facts about the experience. For instance, not every lock can be picked by any player. This is counter to Oblivion, in which any lock could be picked if you were good enough at the mini-game, regardless of a character's skill level. Oh, and character Karma is universal, so don't think you can stay Good just because nobody's watching.
Speaking to Shacknews, Bethesda's Pete Hines and Istvan Pely shed some light on the downloadable content plans for Fallout 3 (among other things). When asked about DLC, Hines noted that Bethesda was shooting for content that was "several hours." Hines elaborated, "Not just like a one-off thing, but something like where you can download it and play it for X number of hours," adding that it would be akin to Oblivion content like Knights of the Nine, "where it's like whole new quest lines, new stuff, that kind of thing." Reading between the lines, we're getting the message that Hines means not horse armor. While release plans remain in the dark, Hines does note that Bethesda is already "looking into" future DLC.
Hit the source link for the full interview, which contains talk about Fallout 3's design as well as how Bethesda feels about comparisons to Oblivion.
Xbox360Achievements has discovered the entire list of achievements for Fallout 3. There are a total of 50 achievements rounding out at the usual 1000 points. Most of them are fairly simple, awarded for completing certain chapters in the game. Bo-ring, right? Others are awarded for reaching a certain character level with a certain kind of karma, be it good, neutral, or bad. Then there are the skill based achievements awarded for hacking, picking locks, etc. Our absolute favorite, though, has to be Psychotic Prankster which is awarded for "Placed a grenade or mine while pickpocketing." We're guessing that one probably leads to bad karma.
Hit the source link for the full list of Fallout 3 achievements
Today is Sunday, which not only means we're less than twenty-four hours away from manic Monday, but it also means it's time for some Xbox 360 deal hunting. Sadly though, the deals available this week lead a lot to be desired.
At Best Buy, there are a few pre-order deals including a free Nuka Cola can opener with a Fallout 3 pre-order and a ringtone / poster kit with a Saints Row 2 pre-order, but that's about it. Really. Circuit City is giving away a free wireless controller with any Xbox 360 purchase and are also handing out $5 gift cards with the purchase of Tiger Woods 09. The usually video game friendly Target doesn't have a darn thing to offer us. Those are all the deals we could find which is sad really, so just move along ...
Today, Bethesda dropped an OMG MEGATON release date announcement, confirming that the Fallout 3 will storm retailers on October 28th in North America and on October 31st in Europe. The same week Dead Space releases, don'tcha know. Also, along with the release date announcement, Bethesda sent us a couple of newscreenshots (galleried below) and (rightfully) gloated about their E3 awards. So, go plop down your Fallout 3 lunch box pre-order cash prior to October's release and make your way towards the break for the complete press release.
It was revealed last month that Bethesda's Fallout 3 was refused classification by Australia's Classification Board, which effectively amounted to a ban on the game. Good news Aussie gamers, Fallout 3 has been reclassified as MA 15+, which means it's not banned after all! There's a catch though, as the game had to be edited in order to be resubmitted to the Classification Board. According to the ratings body, "the reward and incentive" for in-game drug use -- Fallout 3 players can use "chems" to enhance certain stats (and lower others) -- has been heavily reduced. So, what? You get +3 now instead of +10?
We don't know the answer, but the upshot is that Fallout 3 will be available Down Under, and that's good news for everyone.
Today is Sunday, which not only means we're less than twenty-four hours away from manic Monday, but it also means it's time for some Xbox 360 deal hunting. Sadly though, the deals available this week lead a lot to be desired.
