Category Archives: Todd Howard

Fallout Fan Interview #2 Now Up

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Over on the Bethesda Game Studios forums Todd has posted his answers to the second Fallout Fan Interview, answering (a lot of) questions you guys put together. It’s a really lengthy read and does talk about and reveal a few new things.

We also took three new screenshots posted just for you guys in the forums. These can’t currently be found in any other mag or site. Just our way of saying “sorry for taking so damn long,” and thanks for the support.

So what are you waiting for, head over and give it a read and check out the screens.

Around the web: Todd takes the Hot Seat

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Interviews with Todd continue to roll in. Here’s two more for you to check out.

At IGN, Todd sat in their “Hot Seat” to answer burning questions — both gaming and non-gaming related. Here’s a sample:

IGN: Does your work say anything about you?

Todd Howard: That I’ve never really grown out of my love of the 100 hour adventures of my Apple 2 days. The ones I would go to bed dreaming about solving. I crave moments of discovery in games, the moments of “can I do this?” and the sense that I have found something no other player has. I want my games to have that. I want length and depth and hint books that can kill a child if dropped on them.

More stuff after the jump…

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Around the Web: “Help Me Obi-Wan Kenobi” image of Todd edition

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Here’s the latest Fallout/Elder Scrolls coverage from across the web.

We’ll begin at 1Up, where they have a feature titled “Three Wishes,” in which developers from around the industry share their wishes for the future of gaming. Amongst those asked to rub the magic lamp, Todd shares his utopian wish for “a standard platform across all consoles and PCs for games.” Sounds nice.

To read Todd’s wish, as well as the wishes of others (including Gas Powered Games’ Chris Taylor and Sims/Spore extraordinaire Will Wright), head here.

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This IS History

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In case you missed it, CVG put up a two-part feature over the weekend titled “The complete history of open-world games.” The staff at PC Zone take a look at the history and appeal of the genre, while talking with folks that make the games — including Todd Howard. Here’s a sample from the section entitled “Grand Theft Scrolls” in part 1:

Beginning with Arena (which you can now download for free at the game’s 10th Anniversary page at elderscrolls.com), which was followed by Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion and many expansion packs, Bethesda’s series takes in the empire of Tamriel and otherworldly realms such as the Shivering Isles, with the player character able to be a number of races (including Orc, Dark Elf, Imperial and Nord) and classes (such as knight, bard and sorcerer).

“I think that perhaps, the Elder Scrolls series has most of all pushed the idea that massive scale can also be manageable,” says Howard. “That all the little details can be done to an extreme, yet the whole world can still fit together and tell its own story as you wander through it.”

To read the rest, check out these links (part 1) (part 2).

New Fallout 3 coverage to follow

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Here at Bethesda HQ, we just got the June 2008 issue of Game Informer, which includes a new Q&A with Executive Producer Todd Howard. Here’s a snippet:

Game Informer: Are there going to be location-based encounters, or events not tied to particular quests or missions — such as the unicorn or goblin caves from Oblivion?

Todd: Absolutely, lots of that. We can’t stop ourselves from squeezing as much content as we can into every inch. I think the density is getting really good.

Be on the lookout for the new June issue of Game Informer on newsstands.

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Todd talks open-world games, Fallout 3 on X-Play

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On Friday we let you know that Todd would be making an appearance on G4′s popular gaming show X-Play.

In other Fallout 3 news, Play.tm posted an interview with Pete discussing the game. Here’s a sample:

Play: What have you learned from Oblivion and how important a release was this, in relation to Fallout 3?

Pete Hines: Every game we make always helps us learn how to make these types of games better. There are lots of things we’re doing differently in terms of quests and gameplay balance based on our experiences with Oblivion, but also realize that Fallout 3 is a different game in terms of scope. There are fewer people living in this post-nuclear world, and so that change alone makes it a lot easier to give everything more depth and meaning that when you make a game like Oblivion that has so many more characters living in this one place, and all these big, thriving cities to account for.

Lastly, Video Game Media has their latest preview for the game up on their site. Here’s a snippet:

“Character creation is a feature that seems to improve as more companies continue to enhance it. Bethesda was able to take it to a whole new level in Oblivion by allowing you to customize almost every aspect of your character, ranging from the shape of your nose, cheeks, and mouth to even your age. This time Fallout 3 will feature a new way of character creation that will be a first in games. Creating your character will literally start from birth. A hazy cinematic sequence will start with a perspective from the operating table as you are being born from your mother. This is where you will choose your character’s gender and name. “

That’s it for now. We’ll keep you updated as more coverage comes out.

Friday News Roundup

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Here’s a few things to check out/be on the lookout for to help get you through your day and into the weekend.

Tonight on G4, Todd Howard will be talking Fallout 3 with the folks from X-Play. For those planning on going out tonight, be sure to set your DVR for 8 PM (Eastern Time).

Speaking of Todd, he’s one of several folks in the game industry sounding off in a feature at 1Up.com called “Chairman of the Boards.” Written by Robert Ashley, it’s an interesting community feature that focuses in on the influence of one particular gaming forum — NeoGaf. In addition to Todd, Microsoft’s Jeff Bell, Newsweek’s N’Gai Croal, and God of War creator David Jaffe are among the other guys “in the biz” that discuss the relevancy of this popular gaming site.

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What if…?

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In the latest issue of Game Informer (May 2008), there’s a feature called “What If” that discusses how developers would tackle projects from other studios. In the feature, Todd shares how he would make the next Final Fantasy game. Here’s an excerpt:

“As soon as the opening credits roll and Uematsu’s score comes on, you’re in control. Everything looks like a movie, but in real-time. Watch Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children and pretend you’re playing the whole thing.”

Don’t get too excited — it’s purely hypothetical and all in good fun. In addition to talking Final Fantasy, Todd sounds off on a dream project of his. To find out more, check out the May issue. Where does he get those wonderful ideas? :)