Ex-Fallout Dev Critiques Bethesda’s Vision
▼ Summary
– Chris Avellone, a designer of Fallout 2 and writer for Fallout: New Vegas, believes Bethesda has lost sight of the franchise’s original tone and intent.
– Avellone criticizes Bethesda’s approach as creating a “colorful, shallow theme park,” though he acknowledges some DLCs are exceptions and that fans enjoying it is fine.
– He clarifies he doesn’t hate Bethesda, praising their open-worlds but criticizing their linear stories and misuse of game mechanics like the Speech skill.
– Bethesda’s Todd Howard recently praised Obsidian Entertainment, stating they were the ideal choice for Fallout: New Vegas due to their team’s experience with prior games.
– Rumors suggest remakes of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas are in development, following calls from fans for a New Vegas remake.
For many players discovering the series today, the Fallout franchise is synonymous with a vibrant, often humorous tone seen in recent titles and adaptations. However, this wasn’t always the case, according to a key original creator who suggests the current stewards have drifted from the series’ foundational vision.
Chris Avellone, a designer on Fallout 2 and writer for the acclaimed Fallout: New Vegas, recently shared his perspective. He believes Bethesda, which now owns the property, operates with a different understanding of the source material. When questioned on social media about whether Bethesda harbors dislike for the franchise, Avellone offered a nuanced critique. He stated that the issue isn’t hatred but a fundamental disconnect from the series’ origins, coupled with a desire to imprint their own style as the new standard.
Avellone described the modern Bethesda approach as crafting a “colorful, shallow theme park.” He did acknowledge exceptions within some downloadable content, naming Far Harbor and Point Lookout as more interesting endeavors, and even expressed personal appreciation for The Pitt. His overall point, however, is that the core experience has shifted. He clarified that if audiences find enjoyment in this direction, he has no issue with that outcome, emphasizing his stance is one of observation rather than malice.
Further elaborating, Avellone noted he doesn’t hold any animosity toward Bethesda. He praised the developer’s prowess in building expansive open worlds but pointed to specific weaknesses. He cited their handling of linear narratives and, pointedly, their approach to the Speech skill system as areas where their understanding falters. He framed this as a matter of different strengths, remarking that every development team has its own set of pros and cons.
This commentary arrives amid renewed interest in the legacy of Fallout: New Vegas. Bethesda’s Todd Howard recently commended Obsidian Entertainment’s work on that project, labeling them the unequivocal choice for the job at the time. Obsidian’s team, including Avellone, contained numerous veterans from the earlier Black Isle Studios titles, making them uniquely qualified to capture the original spirit.
The conversation around New Vegas continues to build momentum. A special 15th-anniversary physical bundle for PC has been announced, though console players will not have access. This has fueled further calls from the community, including notable figures like actor Danny Trejo, for a full remake of the beloved game. Industry whispers suggest such wishes could materialize, with rumors persisting about potential remakes for both Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas being in active development.
(Source: GameSpot)
