February 6, 2009

Bethesda’s Jeff Gardiner speaks in-depth about Fallout 3 DLC

By Dakota Grabowski

“We use these DLCs to experiment with ideas, to try things out that we weren’t able to with the main game.”

Shipping over 4.7 million units, Fallout 3 has been a huge hit for Bethesda Game Studios. The critical consensus was superb as was the fan reaction, so it was only a matter of time until Bethesda whipped up new content for the title to keep players coming back for more.

On January 27, Bethesda’s first download content was released in the form of Operation: Anchorage. A virtual reality military simulation, players can currently download the new quests, items and achievements for the Xbox 360 and PC. The first of three expansions, Operation: Anchorage permits gamers to walk the lands of Alaska as they fend off Chinese invaders

We spoke to Jeff Gardiner, lead producer for the download content, earlier this week in regards to the future of Fallout 3. So it’s our pleasure to bring you our interview and a quick look at the outlook of Fallout 3 in 2009.

Q: To begin with a little introduction, can you fill the readers in on your name and position related to Fallout 3?

Jeff: My name is Jeff Gardiner, I’m the Lead Producer on the Fallout 3 Downloadable Content (DLC.)

Q: How has the fan feedback been like since the announcement of the three packs?

Jeff: Our fans are very excited for the DLC.  With it we’re able to respond to their feedback; giving them more of what they want, not only more content but more tools for them to play with.  More weapons, creatures, perks, etc.

Q: For gamers that are specifically looking to increase their clocked time within the Fallout 3 world, how many more hours will Operation Anchorage, The Pitt and Broken Steel offer to them?

Jeff: Operation: Anchorage and The Pitt both offer about four to five hours of gameplay within the quest lines they introduce.  They both offer new weapons, armor and perks that the player can then use as they see fit within the game as a whole.  The quest line in Broken Steel is about the same length, but we’re also increasing the level cap to 30, as well as amending the main Fallout quest line so the game doesn’t end….  This will allow the player to keep exploring the wasteland for as many hours as they’d like.

Q: In what areas will the gameplay improve or change? Will the expansion packs be more linear with fewer choices?

Jeff: Operation: Anchorage is more linear experience.  The player is asked to enter an old virtual-world simulation where they’re going to attempt to help liberate Anchorage, Alaska from the occupying Chinese army.  The Pitt involves a more traditional quest with lots of morally grey choices, twists and turns.  Broken Steel is an all-out restructuring of Fallout 3 – it will raise the level cap, add new encounters, high-level creatures and a large quest line that radically alters the course of the main story!

Q: With the planned level cap increase from 20 to 30, will players encounter tougher enemies and difficult fights throughout their new journeys?

Jeff: Absolutely!  We’re adding high level ghouls, super mutants and really beefing up the Enclave.  They’re getting new armor and weaponry as well, which of course will be available to any player who can acquire them.

Q: What new perks are being added in for players to tinker with?

Jeff: We’re adding new perks with every DLC, but to cover the additional 10 levels given in Broken Steel we’re adding several. 

Q: How has the team succeeded at making a military simulation out of Fallout 3?

Jeff: All of the combat elements are there – we just modified the gameplay to suit the needs of the simulation.  For instance, we added ammo and health regeneration facilities.  We eliminated the need to repair weaponry; and we added in an interface which allows the player to customize and outfit a strike force to accompany them.

Q: What’s the reasoning behind the addition of the ninja suit? Can we expect more suits such as this in the future?

Jeff: The Chinese Stealth Suit is not only fun for the player – it also makes for a very unique enemy when worn by the Chinese themselves!  We use these DLCs to experiment with ideas, to try things out that we weren’t able to with the main game.  That’s where this suit came from.  After playing through the game myself several times as different character types, I had some of the most fun when stealthing about.  This suit makes it easier, and deadlier, to do so!

Q: After the three planned expansions to Fallout 3 hit for the Xbox 360 and the PC, are there any considerations of continuing on with download content throughout the rest of the year?

Jeff: For now we’re going to focus on these three as there’s a lot of work to be done still. They’re each a pretty big undertaking for us.

Q: Finally, will there be any Easter eggs that gamers should keep an eye out for while traveling around Alaska?

Jeff: Keep your eyes out for several scripted ‘vignettes’ as you run though the carnage in Alaska!  Many of them are paying homage to some of our favorite war films…

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