[INTELLIGENCE 7] So let's see what's actually confirmed and outline what BS has/is floating around the internet, and what we can expect in terms of release dates or future announcements.
As a side note, I would like to point out that the name 'Fallout 4' isn't actually a confirmed working title, but for the purposes of this Fallout series, I'm gonna go ahead and presume that Bethesda will follow the numerical order of Fallout 1, Fallout 2, Fallout 3. I know you're probably shouting "But Ruth, what about Fallout New Vegas!?" at your computer monitor right now, but remember, Fallout New Vegas was a spinoff of the Fallout series, not an actual sequel or a 'follow on'. Fallout 3 is Bethesda's first of the franchise in a way, where everything changed.
Mention of Fallout 4 began even before the release of Fallout 3, as seen in this Bit Tech interview with Bethesda's Pete Hines,
BT: Fallout 4?
Pete Hines: Please! Y'know we didn't buy this series so that we could make Fallout 3 and put it away and never do it again. [...] Fallout 4 will almost certainly happen - but lets make sure first that Fallout 3 is good first.
One of the biggest 'false prophets' so to speak, came from a Reddit user going by the name of 'GNR_informant' in late January 2013. To give this troll some credit, his claims were actually pretty fluid which led to his hoax being so god damn believable. Plenty of popular youtube gaming channels, gaming blogs and the lay Fallout community based their posts and videos (wishlists, expectations and so forth) on the misinformation of GNR_informant.
Here is his original post and his later posted, 'confession':
This troll got far too much attention for the hoax he created. This Reddit post resulted in a lot of disappointed Fallout fans and a big waste of time for community at large. Worst of all, a lot of these ideas that GNR_Informant had concocted in his half-baked hoax, are still floating around the internet under the guise of truth. From what I have read, it seems like the biggest piece of misinformation that has spread like wildfire throughout the Fallout community is the location of the next game, which was said to be Boston in GNR_Informant's hoax. At present, there is not confirmed location for the unannounced game.
Another reason to why GNR_Informant's hoax circulated so fast has a lot to do with timing. Around the same time-frame as GNR_Informant, Erik Todd Dellums (the voice actor of Fallout 3's 'Galaxy News Radio' DJ, Three Dog), tweeted this,
In a twitter conversation with Twitter user, @ToasttheRabbit, Dellums revealed that he was given permission to release such information. In this conversation, the possibility that his voice acting may be used elsewhere was also touched upon, for example in a spin-off movie or a TV show. Bethesda, oddly enough stepped in to do some damage control.. essentially silencing Dellums. Hm. Somewhat odd considering that Bethesda had originally given permission to Dullums to tweet this tease.
Another small pearl of hope can be seen in February 2013, Zenimax (Bethesda's parent company) job posting, seeking programmers to work on "an unannounced game on future consoles". I personally do not think this is Wolfenstein: The New Order as most are speculating, nor do I believe it to be The Evil Within, as both projects are developed by different teams/companies.
Bethesda also added some new Fallout related merchandise to it's store including an animal friend perk t-shirt (it's unavailable at present, I really wanted one!), a tunnel snakes hoodie, a new California republic t-shirt and Vault Boy longboard. Ok, this may seem insignificant however this could possibly suggest that they are attempting to reignite interest in the Fallout series.
The most recent development comes from E3 2013, in which there was a clear lack of Fallout 4 announcements. However, there was a press only conference held by Bethesda behind closed doors. The game being announced within this conference is apparently going to be released for Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4 and PC. It is apparently 55% done and set for release on the 15th of October, 2015. The community is still divided on whether this is in fact an announcement of Fallout 4. Sources such as Bubblelews give good solid information, assuring readers that this is in fact Fallout 4.
Conclusions:
Well hot damn, Bethesda have demonstrated mastery over controlling PR leaks and remained oh so vague about any future developments. But don't retreat back to your Vault in sadness just yet! We can still gather these facts:
- From my information on the Fallout series in general, recent developments and what I have written in this post, I am 100% that there will be another Fallout game.
- Going by release date calenders, the Fallout game will most likely be released in 2016, however there is a good possibility of it being released in 2015.
- Bethesda'a roots can be found in PC gaming, so it is almost a given that the next Fallout title will be released on PC and at least one new gen console. I am hoping that these rumours circulating that the new Fallout will NOT be a Microsoft exclusive.
Although this post does not cover any Earth shattering information or developments for the next Fallout game, it is my intention to create a clear post with concrete information and clearing identifying what is in fact rumour.
This is the first post in a series on the Fallout franchise, so keep an eye on this blog for more Fallout 4 news. Also, follow me on twitter, (@ruth_odonoghue) for more ramblings/updates on Fallout!
Until then, wastelanders!
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