E3 06: No Fallout 3 at E3 2006

Bethesda Softworks' Pete Hines confirms the long-awaited postapocalyptic RPG sequel is staying in the vault this year.

Fallout 3

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When Interplay shut down its Black Isle Studios subsidiary in 2003, many PC gamers lamented the move would mark the end of Fallout 3. Despite assertions by Interplay CEO Herve Caen that the sequel to the groundbreaking postapocalyptic role-playing game was still alive and well, the publisher's dismal finances--which forced it to temporarily shut down--had many fans of the series pessimistic.

Those same fans rejoiced when Bethesda Softworks announced it had purchased the rights to console and PC games based on the Fallout 3 series in July 2004. To many, having the developer and publisher of the award-winning Elder Scrolls action RPG series take over such a cherished IP was a godsend. Furthermore, Bethesda producers proclaimed that they would remain true to the series' darkly comic spirit.

However, to date, gamers only have Bethesda's word to go on. At E3 2005, the only evidence of Fallout 3's existence was a sparse teaser poster (pictured) designed to look like a bomb-shelter sign. E3 2006 may see even less of the game on display. Confirming a recent flurry of Internet reports, Bethesda Softworks public relations head Pete Hines said that the game will not be present at the upcoming event in any significant form.

"I can tell you it won't be at E3 and that it'll be a while still before we're ready to talk about it," he told GameSpot. "Much like with Oblivion, we don't like to talk about games until we're a fair ways along in development and cannot only talk about it, but show it." Hines gave no indication as to exactly when Fallout 3 would be ready enough to emerge from the development vault.

42 Comments

  • rik_sharp

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 5:57 am PT

    just imagine... fallout as a fprpg like oblivion...
    i wouldnt be able to put it down

  • Ocelot113

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 7:28 pm PT

    Bethesda is in a tough spot. Fallout fans have been waiting soo long for Fallout 3 that they've made it out to be perfect and if it's not the way they've imagined they will be disappointed. However, Bethesda hit a home-run with Oblivion, a game that fans of Morrowind had waited for, for a long time. As long as fans keep an open mind I trust Bethesda to do their job. Bethesda knows what it will take to make a quality sequel.

  • mirkwolf

    Posted May 16, 2006 10:29 pm PT

    I don't see why. While Elder scrolls are fun...Fallout had so much playing power. I played both 1 & 2 through twice at least. They were original and creative with good stories, some Bethesda does not always do well--insert Daggerfall here.

    Bethesda makes good Computer games...the makers of Fallout made a great RPG that happened to be on the computer. I for one am very disappointed in Bethesda for not fixing Van Buiron and shipping that code base.

  • niftus

    Posted May 16, 2006 9:45 am PT

    Finally, i can`t wait this release

  • AvAtArKe

    Posted May 16, 2006 7:07 am PT

    I cant wait :'(

  • Nawras

    Posted May 15, 2006 1:26 pm PT

    When they do release photos, I am sure it will mark a gaming revolution

  • drakron

    Posted May 12, 2006 7:29 pm PT

    Bah.

    I was around TES forums when the Fallout license notice came and the fans were not "rejoiced" with the news except Bethsoft fans as I witness a short bord invasion were the most common phase was "Morrowind with guns".

    Morrowind with guns is NOT Fallout.

    The fact Bethsoft keeps silent is a indication they are full aware of the amount of noise the REAL Fallout community will do over anything that deviates from the Fallout formula, I cannot wait for the anoucement in the same way I cannot wait for a train wreck.

    Its going to be ugly.

  • bboyart

    Posted Apr 9, 2006 5:22 am PT

    It's a fact that Fallout 3 is to this day just a word on the paper, but unlike Duke Nukem, it has a considerable amount of hardcore fans and presents a profitable venture for the publisher, so actualy it would be a mistake for them to just swear off the game, rather giving us hints of it's existence.

  • Andou

    Posted Mar 14, 2006 12:51 am PT

    Fallout 3 to come 2006 ! Yeah !

  • Gaz_2

    Posted Feb 25, 2006 5:33 am PT

    I like fallout. I thought this was only a rumor, and that it was closed down. Here's hoping it'll be pretty good then. Since black isle was closed down, does that mean some forgotten realms rpgs won't be coming out?

  • Gaff0057

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 10:46 pm PT

    I agree with a lot of you. The game will be worth the wait and will be even better than the first two. Dont get me wrong but fallout 1 and 2 are some of the best rpg's ever and the originality of the plot and gameplay will be shown in the bethesda instalment. I cant wait for this game!!!!

  • a1charb

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 8:03 am PT

    plz for the love of god they better not be teasing us

  • grasmussen

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 8:01 am PT

    I'm hopeful for this title.

    Bethesda hasn't let us down in the past, and I don't think they will this time either.

    The fact that they're not showing anything right now doesn't have to mean that what they have is bad, like some of you seem to think. They just aren't ready to show it to us yet. They want it to be a quality piece of work that we'll get excited about before they show us. Sounds like a smart move to me.

  • ufopuller

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 6:23 am PT

    Best get the "bugs" out first

  • Fallout_red

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 3:23 am PT

    I hope they stick to one plan:
    Fallout... Fallout never changes (Actually its war!!)
    +: What about the Obsidian Studios?
    I Hope it follows the exact same way of Fallout 2. (Ishaa...)

  • AlienQ

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 3:17 am PT

    Ok. Take a look at the image that came along with the article. See those arrows at the bottom?

    At last years E3 Bethesda had those posters lined up around the place, and you know what? I followed those arrows for an hour thinking they had something new to show off, before I realized that it was just a part of the poster design. Brilliant *thumbs up*

  • ewjim

    Posted Feb 24, 2006 2:23 am PT

    Good game takes more time to develop... So i think better wait... a little! ^_^

  • Atomic_Mutant

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 11:50 pm PT

    The long time fans of Fallout franchise will flay the game regardless of its state. It is more as if the developer cannot escape 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' sentiment among the longtime fans. Bethesda will try to make the game go multi-platform, which is as sure a sign as any to raise the wrath of any die-hard fan. Probably the same engine that was used in Oblivion will be the basis for rendering the game, which pretty much stamps the game's fundamental design in some grounds of first perspective action with rpg elements thrown in. If indeed that materializes, it will probably spell the end of the franchise as we see it.

    I'd love to have the IP transferred to Troika. Sigh, I miss them.

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 11:39 pm PT

    this is not cool

  • FuguNabe

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 7:21 pm PT

    Ah.... *reminisc how good Fallout 2 was*..... please let Fallout 3 be. It's not Black Isle though so..... oh well

  • PutU2REM

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 5:17 pm PT

    The game will come, as others have said, but I'm leery as to how Bethesda will handle it. "Fallout 3" should NOT be "Morrowind" with mutants. The "Morrowind"-styled gameplay would destroy what made "Fallout" great: campy and black humor, utter lack of ethics and moral judgment, and an honest-to-goodness STORY! I just hopes Bethesda realizes that, because if they do "Fallout 3" will rock.

  • mkreku

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 3:36 pm PT

    Bethesda paid good money for this license. They will release a game based on it, no matter what.

  • gellis1981

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 2:51 pm PT

    I just hope it still comes out and not cancelled again...I've waited this long..another year shouldn't matter, only if it comes out tho.

  • veracity024

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 2:33 pm PT

    i just nutted in my pants when i saw this

  • fenriz275

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 2:30 pm PT

    I have a sick feeling about this game. Not that it won't be released, I think it will, but that when it is released it's going to be a steaming pile. I was hopeful when Black Isle was in charge but since they went belly up so did my hopes for this game. The fact that Bethesda won't show even a tiny glimpse leads me to believe that what they do have isn't really worth showing to anyone.

  • TadMarko

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 2:14 pm PT

    You might have to actually display some patience (I know this concept is a hard one for fanboys to grasp), but we *will* see this title at some point. There is a reason Bethesda laid down the money for the rights. It stands as a classic franchise and bears one of the most unique settings. That no one else has mined this territory for RPG's is a wonder to me. Toxic mutants, road warrirors, cyber punk shenanigans... great mad max tribal warfare... plus the incredibly clever skill system... these were games that made you think and laugh. If Bethesda can add a bit of their open-ended magic to this universe, the odds are good that we'll get an immersive 2nd or 3rd next-genration winner.

  • pister

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 2:02 pm PT

    *sniffle* The thought of Fallout 3 makes me cry with joy... Words can not describe my desire to equip a gatling laser gun and watch bodies melt before its might!!

  • JiSnoz

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 2:00 pm PT

    I'm making a prediction, right here on Gamespot that; Fallout 3 will come out in late 2009 (only 3 and a half plus years to go, hang in there guys).

  • crucifine

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:59 pm PT

    NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • AviticusDSS

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:47 pm PT

    Trust me, Fallout 3 will come out eventually.

  • bossjimbob

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:42 pm PT

    Oblivion should keep most of us occupied until Fallout 3 releases.

  • GreyFoxV1

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:30 pm PT

    Hey at least its confirmed! HellYeah!

  • JeffAhola112

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:21 pm PT

    Anyone who's played an rpg cares about this game... nice point ps3.

  • Venkman70

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:20 pm PT

    I'm just worried that people are already expecting too much out of this game to ever be satisfied. No matter what happens and how good this game is, many of the hardc0rz fans will end up saying that this game didn't do what they wanted it to do, and therefore sucks hard. Bethesda is good at trying to prevent hype and not meeting peoples expectations, unlike Fable. Good game, didn't meet promises.

  • arathorn2nd

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:19 pm PT

    I agree with Icehearted. Fallout 1 & 2 were awesome, but I already accepted Fallout 3 as vaporware or a complete different game if it ever goes gold.

  • KillerFPS

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:16 pm PT

    Apparently not the PS3 guys, to bad us Xbox 360 and PC users will get to enjoy it.

  • --PlayStation3-

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:14 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • Icehearted

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:05 pm PT

    I love Fallout 1 & 2, but have long accepted that number 3 is likely a myth. Anyone still holding out hope for this one should take a gander at Duke Nukem Forever and see what I mean!

  • timinator18

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 1:01 pm PT

    thats alot of music !yay

  • Disturbed_1

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 12:47 pm PT

    Bethesda has me tickled with anticipation even tho it 2-3 years away Plus i trust Bethesda in the way they handled their games in the past and the quality they deliver.
    There are only 3 companies i trust when it comes to gaming #1 Ubisoft #2 IDsoftware #3 Bethesda T
    he most disliked company and least trusted EA.

    I believe it will be well worth the wait

  • EqualPlatinum

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 12:47 pm PT

    Fine, don't be @ e3, see if I care!

  • blackIceJoe

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 12:39 pm PT

    I can't wait to see it.It will be sad not hearing about it but think this will be better for it in the end.This is really good news to hear that the creators of the Elder Scrolls will be working on this.I think with them doing this it will make it even better.

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