Grave Gamer News & Views — bethesda

Is The Commonwealth to Be Fallout 4’s New Wasteland?

Bethesda’s open-world RPG formula has had the good fortune of going from popular in Fallout 3 to insanely fucking popular with the release of Skyrim.  While a return to the Fallout franchise has not been made official by the company, it’s probably a safe bet that Bethesda is already pouring resources and development time into a successor considering their upward acclaim from title to title.

With that in mind, we can sink our teeth into this irradiated slice of a rumor.  Speaking through the information laden avenues of Reddit, an anonymous user that “may or may not” be affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology claims Bethesda is scouting the Boston region, researching the locale with the intention of using the city as a backdrop for Fallout 4.

The proverbial Pip-Boy fits given that The Commonwealth – Fallout’s apocalyptic version of the greater Massachusetts area – has already been referenced in series lore.  Specifically in Fallout 3, a Blade Runner-esque subplot involving androids escaped from a place called “The Institute” (need I mention MIT?) serves as one of the more prominent mentions of The Commonwealth.

What’s the most important information we can glean from this rumor?  That there are even rumors circulating in the first place, which equates to the first shaky steps in seeing this franchise continue.  If this rumor be fact, that means pre-production has commenced…unfortunately that also probably means we won’t see Fallout 4 until the next console cycle.  That’s the industry, kids.  It never changes.

Go Back to Hell - Remastered Doom 3 BFG Edition Announced

Bethesda, id’s new parent company, is releasing a retouched version of Doom 3 for the PC (surprise!), PS3, and Xbox 360.  The game earns its BFG moniker through the inclusion of the original Doom 3, the Resurrection of Evilexpansion, and seven brand new levels composing “The Lost Mission” – an entirely original chunk of hell developed...

The Red Herb Roundup - May 20th Edition

Welcome back to the roundup, folks.  These be the stories The Herb didn’t quite get to because get off my case, you don’t understand the amount of pressure I’m under.  On that note, I’d like to send a hearty shout out and welcome to our new followers out in the Tumblrvoid, and a sincere thank you to our veteran followers whose continued support keeps the blog from caving beneath my incredible laziness.

I’d also like to thank the gang from the witty, titty, and fun gaming podcast Smarter Than AI for having me as a guest on their fine program.  Some refined discussions were had about gaming at large over more brews than I should’ve been allowed.  The results were crammed into Episode V! 

And now for some poorly cobbled together news:

• Not only is Univeral’s Battleship adaptation a turd in the water, Double Helix’s first-person shooter tie-in is also dead in the aforementioned turd inhabited water.  I’d make a “You’ve sunk my Battleship” pun but that’d be as stupid as spending $220 million goddamn dollars on a movie based on a board game.
• ZeniMax Media, Bethesda’s parent company, went ahead and filed for a trademark on the term “Dragonborn."  This action was a rung down on the priority ladder, though, as ZeniMax filed for "Fus Ro Dah” first because saying you’re Dragonborn means nothing if you can’t shout the words of power.
• Rocksteady scoffed at our secret hunting abilities, revealing that there are at least 3 to 4 hidden Easter Eggs still remaining in Batman: Arkham City.  You seriously thought the Batman plays all his cards at once?  Fool, this is why you’re unconscious with a batarang lodged in your shoulder.
• June 12th is the official date the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection heads to Sony’s Vita.  The package is a little less collection-y than its console counterparts due to the absence of Peacewalker (because Konami already kindly offers the HD-less PSP version on PSN, fully equipped with none of the upgrades featured in the HD edition – you’re welcome).  Oh, and I’m obligated to add this: transfarring.
• Apparently Diablo III had some difficulties at launch.  There were consequences.
• Bioware wants to hear from you about where you’d like to see the Dragon Age franchise go next.  You’ll find no sarcasm in this bullet point; communication between consumer and creator should be applauded.
• What happens when Nintendo’s favorite little outsourced developer, Retro Studios, can’t decide between another Metroid or a new Star Fox?  If you’ve ever been painfully afflicted by Linkin Park and Jay-Z’s Collision Course, you already know where this is going: mash-up!  Mark it as an extreme rumor for now but whatever the hell they’re working on, E3 may definitely be the platform for a big reveal.

Concept imagery for Zenimax Studios’ The Elder Scrolls Online.

That Was Quick, Internet:  The Elder Scrolls Online Screens and Info Leaked

A PDF of Game Informer Online’s June edition looks to have been leaked early (and when I say “leaked,” I mean downright poured), unleashing the entire featured write-up on Bethesda’s run at the MMO market, Elder Scrolls Online.  Included in the article were several concept and in-game images from the game.  With the MMORPG’s announcement, Game Informer promised fans would get a singular glimpse at the new game today.  Instead, nineteen images surfaced.  That’s more than sneaking a peek; that’s lifting up the game’s skirt and snapping photos.

I don’t imagine Game Informer is anywhere within the realm of pleased regarding the leak.  If this was an accident, hopefully no one’s job security (or life) comes into harm’s way.  I can assure the magazine’s staff and Bethesda that we all feel really very guilty about all the screens our eyeballs are enjoying.  Sorry for the, uh, whole photo and skirts thing.