Bethesda’s E3 Press Conference

As has always been Bethesda’s goal for any game of theirs, player freedom and exploration is at the cornerstone of design and execution.

With that goal in mind, Bethesda has gone nuts with Fallout 4.

We knew that Fallout 4 was big; the game’s announcement trailer as well as leaked maps and locations suggested as much.

This E3 2015 Press Conference showing is a confirmation of that fact:

Too long; didn’t watch: 200 years after a nuclear apocalypse, one in which humanity has built Vaults in preparation for, the sole survivor of Vault 111 emerges into the most ambitious Wasteland yet.

Rumours that Fallout 4 was using the Gamebryo Engine were flimsy from the outset; it makes no sense for Bethesda to use the engine in any case.

So we weren’t at all surprised to hear that the Creation Engine is, indeed, behind the scenes of Fallout 4.

The Creation Engine it may be, don’t expect the same visual experience you got in Skyrim – the Creation Engine has seen substantial updates since The Elder Scrolls V’s release.

Physics, for example, is catered for by the engine, and has come a long way since the rigid and really rather unappealing physics of Skyrim (the Creation Engine) or Fallout 3 (the Gamebryo Engine) prior to that.

Perhaps even more noticeable is the inclusion of some very beautiful dynamic volumetric lighting. Fallout 4’s atmosphere had our jaw dropping from start to finish.

Surfaces and textures have come to life as a result of this improved renderer.

Bethesda also demonstrated a number of improvements to the sequel to Fallout 3 with fully cinematic conversations, a voiced protagonist, an improved combat system (especially outside of VATS) and more.

One of our favourite improvements to conversations, minus the protagonist’s newfound voice, is the cinematic approach – it reminds us of Dragon Age: Inquisition or The Witcher 3’s approach to conversations.

The major difference for Fallout 4 is that you may enter, leave or re-enter a conversation as you choose – you are not hard-locked into conversations.

On top of that: character customisation has been substantially enhanced, gone are the days of 3000 sliders; your dog compatriot, as well as anyone else who joins you along the way we assume, is aware of your surroundings and can be given contextually appropriate commands; and combat outside of VATS looks a lot smoother and like a more enjoyable, competent system.

No wonder it’s taken Bethesda so long to announce this game. The level of detail for Fallout 4 is absurd. Skyrim’s got nothing on this.

Weapon and power armour customisation

And don’t think customisation is limited to your character’s model. Weapons as well as your very own set of power armour is completely customisable.

If you thought what modders did with Fallout 3 as well as Fallout: New Vegas was something, wait until you see this:

Weapon and armour customisation has us so excited. It not only takes Fallout 4 to that next level, but opens up so much opportunity for replayability as well as further modding.

No longer will one or two weapons, as well as a particular set of power armour, be clearly better than the others. We’ll finally have the chance to shape our weapons in accordance with the shaping of our characters.

Don’t take our word for it, check out this gameplay trailer for Fallout 4’s combat.

We’re so very excited.

Build your own shelter

Bethesda quite evidently learnt from modders when designing and developing Fallout 4 – and then they took it to a whole new level.

Weapon and armour customisation is evidence of that. Well how about shelters?

Some of the most popular mods in Fallout 3 and New Vegas was personalised or custom shelters, for obvious reasons.

Bethesda is finally allowing the player to build their own shelters as they choose.

We can’t wait to build our own shelters. More than that, we can’t wait to see what the community does with this.

Modders are going to have a field day.

Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition

Amazing as the game is, many of you will want more – like, say, a fantastic collector’s edition.

That’s what this Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition is:

It includes:

• Pip-Boy Replica, Stand and Capsule Case – This wearable device faithfully replicates the in-game model and comes complete with RobCo Industries stand, custom-printed capsule, adjustable foam cuff, rotating knobs and lights. Designed to accommodate a variety of smartphone devices with customizable foam inserts, the Pip-Boy is the ultimate accessory for the official Pip-Boy companion mobile app that allows players to manage their in-game inventory, perks, holotapes, and more.
• Physical Pip-Boy Pocket Guide – Featuring handy illustrations and chock full of Vault-Tec approved tips, this manual is the ultimate how-to pocket guide for using and maintaining your new Pip-Boy.
• Physical Vault-Tec Perk Poster – Keep track of your perks with your very own physical Vault-Tec perk poster, fully-colorized retro fun for the quintessential Wasteland survivor.
• Power Armor Collectible Metal Packaging – Exclusive to the Pip-Boy Edition, this decorated metal case is the ultimate fan collectible.

At $119.99 (just under R1500), it’s quite the collector’s edition.

There’s no news on its availability in SA just yet.

Fallout Shelter announced for iOS: Android is a maybe

We’ve long thought that managing a Fallout Vault would make for a great game, and now there is such a game.

Fallout Shelter, announced the iOS, is a free and already available vault simulation game set in the Fallout universe.

The goal of Fallout Shelter is really rather simple: build your vault; help those currently living in your vault to flourish and thrive; explore the wasteland; protect your vault from threats of various types; and hopefully prosper.

We’ve always wanted to be a Vault Overseer, and we plan on doing a much better job than the idiots assigned to overseeing the Vaults in every Fallout game prior.

Best of all, Fallout Shelter looks like a fairly deep title, particularly for a mobile game.

We just hope that it’s released for Android OS’ soon. According to Bethesda’s Pete Hines, it’s being considered.

May need to give iTunes a little time for it to update. It'll be up there. We will have info later about Android version.

— Pete Hines (@DCDeacon) June 15, 2015

Feel free to chat about Fallout Shelter in our forums here.

Here’s hoping. Either way, we still have Fallout 4, and it looks glorious. Expect it to drop on November 10th for PS4, Xbox One and PC.

More E3 2015 Bethesda press conference news

Dishonored 2 officially revealed by Bethesda

Doom: first gameplay released

Forum discussion