Talk:Fallout (video game)

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[edit] No-spoiler summary

I've heard many good things about this game and consider buying it. I'd be happy if someone could write a short summary of the background story of the game, and a summary of the plot that would not include any spoilers. I suggest this summary be put before the "Storyline" section, which does have spoilers. Thanks, Tamuz (Talk) 12:20, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

For Fallout 1, you can read this, for Fallout 2 you can read this. Those sites are mirrors of the official websites before Interplay went bankrupt. --Voidvector 15:56, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Fallout's legacy

The wonderful and misterious world of fallout has caught the imagination and spirit of thousands. Browsing the net these days I've noticed an online game called DieselWars. The development is still in progress as it seems but the creators brag about this game being fully inspired by fallout. If it will be so, I can't wait to play it, if it is not than this game will be just another amateur failed try out. [Marin Catalin]

[edit] FIFE link removal

remove external link, FIFE is a game engine modelled after the Fallout game engine. There are hundreds of game engines modelled after Quake and they are not mentioned on Quake page.--Voidvector 13:43, 14 October 2006 (UTC)

I added a link to the FIFE website and it gets constantly removed here. FIFE is an open source Fallout-like engine and supports loading Fallout 1 DAT archives, Fallout 2 DAT archives, Fallout maps, Fallout gfx & Fallout sounds. I took a look at other game articles (especially RPGs, because Fallout is one). For the infinity engine games there is a seperate article and this article features a link to GemRB: see Infinity_Engine. As the Fallout engine was just used for Fallout 1 + 2 there is no Fallout engine article so IHMO the FIFE link belongs to the Fallout game article.

I took a look at the Ultima games article and there are listed all kind of open source Ultima engines even such that been registered at sourceforge for years but never released anything. So on side the Ultima article lists even Ultima engine projects that never did a release and prolly never will do any but for the Fallout article it's not allowed to link to the only Fallout-like engine in active development.

For your argument about Quake engines: the Quake article lists engine mods, see here: Quake#Replacement_Quake.2FQuakeWorld_Engines

So finally my point is:

  1. FIFE is the only Fallout-like engine in active development
  2. It is in a stage where you can use Fallout maps, archives, gfx & sounds with it
  3. FIFE was created for the Fallout modders to give them a better engine to develope mods on
  4. Other game articles feature open source version of their engines too. You can argue that not all open source engines are listed there but the important ones are. So is FIFE important? Yes. Why? See point 1.

I would like to hear the opinion of other wiki-people how alternative game engines should be handled in game articles. If the FIFE link gets removed I guess this is a general policy. In this case all alternative game engine links should be removed. E.g. the ones from the above linked Ultima article.

MvBarracuda 10:57, 14 October 2006 (UTC)

I have repeatedly removed those links from this page and other Fallout pages, for the following reasons.

Any site that does not provide a unique resource beyond what the article here would have once it becomes a Wikipedia:Featured article.

  • fifengine.de is not about the game, it is about a game engine.
  • Last I checked the engine can load Fallout art, but cannot load the game itself in full.
  • There is no useful or encylopedic information relevant to Fallout.
  • Unlike some articles mentioned in prior discussions, this article does not have a mod section (I would support the link as cite if there were a section with history of Fallout mods). Also, none of the mentioned articles are featured articles.
  • As far as I can tell, linking to fifengine.de only serves to promote the site. This statement is also supported by the fact that you are in fact on the development team of this project. (see Wikipedia:Spam#External_link_spamming)
For more info see WP:EL. I will continue oppose its addition in its current form.

--Voidvector 13:43, 14 October 2006 (UTC)

  • FIFE is a game engine with Fallout support. In fact it's the only engine with Fallout asset support that is in active development. FIFE is meant to become a basis for Fallout mods and we plan to offer conversion tools to be able to convert Fallout mods into FIFE mods. So it belongs into the Fallout article IMHO as it's relevant for people who search information about Fallout.
  • The statement that it can't load the full game is quite funny. Even GemRB can't load whole Infinity engine games and let you play them through with all details. Open source is work in progress and it's quite normal that things evolve. It just means that you're not able to fully replay Fallout with FIFE ATM, and that's likely to change in the future.
  • About the useful encyclopedic information: please let me know why the Ultima article features planned Ultima open source engines that never released a single file and you consider that encyclopedic relevant; while the only engine that supports loading Fallout assets is not relevant for the Fallout article.
  • IMHO an open source version of an engine can be considered important information. If you really feel that isn't unimportant, please be fair and remove the links from other game-related articles too.
  • I'm sorry that I didn't state that I'm the project manager of FIFE; this is totally true. The link serves to promote open source software and as we're non-profit I don't really get your point. We don't make money with the engine nor with the website. In fact we even pay every month for the hosting so there is no financial reason behind adding the link. I simply added it because IMHO FIFE is as important as Exult & Pentragram for the Ultima series and GemRB for the Infinity Engine games.

--MvBarracuda 00:35, 15 October 2006 (UTC)

I know about FIFE for sometime now. I visit NMA a few times a month. I know it's current usefulness; it's more geared towards mod makers. However, that usefulness doesn't fit in the context of this article.

There are thousands of projects on sf.net with relevance to thousands of articles on WP, and there is no reason to link them as Wikipedia is not a directory for open source projects.

The reason I state that it can't load in full is because a normal person who come look for Fallout information would have no use for FIFE, only players. In fact, it is only useful to small sections of players -- modders and mod players.

The Ultima engines should be removed from their respective articles because those engines are no longer maintained and relevant. I normally remove them when I see them. I don't visit those articles because I have never played those games.

It's fairly unproductive to write paragraphs after paragraphs over whether to include one external link. When I get back to my country, I would look into Fallout mod history, see if I can include it as a section. --10:19, 15 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Several changes

I've made several changes to the article:

  • Removed all references to other Fallout games in the part about well-known actors (this article is about the first one).
  • Corrected a few typos and improved a few phrases.
  • Removed the Intro Sequences section. Sorry, but it wasn't encyclopedic.
  • Renamed the Influences section to Influences and References.
  • Moved a part of the Game Locations section to the Influences and References section and the rest to the Trivia section.
  • Updated the Game Locations section with details about some of the game's locations (...surprising, eh?). They are very very simple, and, if possible, I'd like someone to improve them. I will also try to, later. I know the quest descriptions probably should not be there - they're as a filler.
  • Improved the Storyline section first paragraph (hopefully) and moved the spoiler tag down.

Please contribute. Let's make of this a featured article! :D --Akhel 22:31, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

Agreed, I would love to see this become a featured article. I have been editting this as much as possible. Juror 8 02:54, 3 December 2006 (UTC)
Thanks. : ) I just changed the texts of almost every game location; I got most information from The Vault wiki, but I'm not sure about how to put it on the references section. I'd be grateful if someone could help me.
Also, maybe we should blend the game locations section with the story section? --Akhel 02:28, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Vandalism of page.

This page seems to be a bit of a target for people with nothing better to do than write uninformitive and bland comments. I'd suggest the page be locked and the perpetrators be sentenced to retake basic high-school english...and possibly be subject to gym-class beatings.

[edit] Plan: add a section on NPCs

This would be a good way to expand the content of the article. I'd write it myself but I wouldn't know how to. Reasonable doubt1 01:31, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Formatting

At the moment this article's format and style looks very sloppy and will never advance in its class if it remains the way it is. I've read the Wikipedia:WikiProject_Computer_and_video_games#Style section, but it does not offer much in-depth advice on how video game articles should be formatted. Both the Fallout (computer game) and Fallout 2 articles need to be completely reformatted. I ask an experience user to reformat both articles to an easier to read, more functional format. Made of people 23:37, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

I tried to do something on this matter awhile back. Editors for other CVG articles are basically copying the structure of featured articles such as FF7, StarCraft, etc. Since I don't have any knowledge about the real-life aspect of the game release (e.g. development, reception), I did not bother with the structure change. --Voidvector 03:48, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Semi-protection requested

I've requested this article be semi-protected due to vandalism and contested edits from anonymous IPs without discussion. --ElKevbo 22:30, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] page protection?

why's this page protected I'd like to edit it as I am a fan of fallout but the page's protected Falloutfan 15:26, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

I second this. I'd like to clarify some statements about the game. —The preceding unsigned comment was added circa 08:49, 13 February 2007 by 24.41.47.125 (talk • contribs) .
See above section; it's only semi-protected. Sign in with an account more than a few days old, and it can be edited. Abb3w 13:53, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] CVG Assessment

This is in regards to the request placed on the CVG Assessment page. I have rated this article as start-class, though with a little work, it can be improved to a B-class article. A few suggestions- merge the game locations section into the story. I know you can technically go most anywhere anytime, but there is a general pathline, so follow that, describing the locations as you get there in the plot. As it stands, all of the subsections of the locations section are short and stubby, and there's not much to add to them all, so they should be merged together. The trivia section should be deleted outright, there's nothign in there notable enough to be included in the article itself. Expand the reception section a bunch, it should be a major part of the article. Finally, references! You have 5, but one of them is int he trivia seciton, and is the best reference you're using. The Reception section needs references, and the Influences section needs to be referenced heavily if it's all going to stay, because right now there's nothing to prove that it isn't all just something that whoever wrote it made up. For more help, send it to Peer Review. --PresN 03:00, 29 January 2007 (UTC)

There is no set pathline, trust me on that. Mikael GRizzly 06:10, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Trivia section

I've massively reduced the trivia section; the remaining items should be ones that could be incorporated into this article's text without seriously distracting from it. Mangojuicetalk 21:01, 1 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Black Isle Studios

Only Fallout 2 was made by Black Isle Studios. Therefore, the first game in the series should not be listed in the Black Isle Studios category. SharkD 23:28, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

Well, it was and it wasn't... "Black Isle Studios is the role-playing division of Interplay Entertainment. Black Isle was formed in 1996 but didn't start using the name Black Isle Studios until 1998 with the release of Fallout 2." (Reference found in Black Isle Studios article.) If you look at the latest archived official Fallout website, you can clearly see a BIS logo. The linked-to BIS site also clearly claims both Fallout and Fallout 2 as their games. Really, it should be included with BIS' other games. —GrimRevenant 01:55, 26 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] RAM Requirements

How is it that the MS-DOS version requires 32MB of RAM, while the more resource hungry Windows (95?) requires 16MB of RAM? - MSTCrow 01:14, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

The Win95 version makes use of DirectX, and so doesn't have to implement so much of the graphics and sound infrastructure itself. It makes sense that this would reduce the memory requirements for the game itself. Win95 itself required a lot more RAM than DOS, yes (4MB minimum vs 512K minimum), as well as a generally better system, but was well worth it for many applications. —GrimRevenant 12:03, 10 May 2007 (UTC)
DirectX eats up RAM too. Thinking of Doom and Doom95, Doom liked 4 or 8MB of RAM, and then Doom95 liked 16MB or more. Doom95 made heavy use of DirectX, if I remember correctly. Both are freeware, so could test it if you wanted to. The only thing I could think of is that the DOS graphic and sound routines were incredibly sloppy. Having direct access to the hardware, without a virtualization layer, should decrease memory requirements. - MSTCrow 17:14, 10 May 2007 (UTC)
Doom 95 was a Microsoft port, so it's maybe not the best indicator. Other than that, maybe virtual memory? ;) —GrimRevenant 12:33, 11 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Fallout 01.jpg

Image:Fallout 01.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in Wikipedia articles constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.BetacommandBot 08:00, 4 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Bottle caps

You don't find the fact that bottle caps being used as currency in Fallout of interest? Following a discussion elsewhere, I was surprised to find that a Wiki search on Fallout and "Bottle caps" hit the Bottle Caps entry rather than the Fallout out one. I've not played Fallout and so the Wiki article was of interest. Having a mention of the bottle caps/currency thing seemed non-trivial to me, but I'm not qualified to write on the subject. Perhaps a cut and paste of the content from the Bottle Cap page would be in order? Dave Barnett

  • I just realized bottle caps are nowhere to be mentioned, which is strange. That was one of the first things I noticed in the game, and found it quite... Interresting, actually. I put it into the article. Thanks for pointing that thing out, friend. TheVaultDweller (talk) 00:25, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Fallout 01.jpg

Image:Fallout 01.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 05:03, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hardcore Fallout Fans

I believe that hardcore Fallout fans have received enough mainstream media attention to warrant a mention here or maybe even their own article. SharkD 20:05, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Fallout voted #1

Fallout was voted the #1 RPG of all time by computer gaming world, and I would like to add this to the article. However, the only reference I have is one of their magazine issues. I have searched the web and have found no mention of this, nor any mention of any of the games that they voted #1 in each category. I was wondering if I could still add this without a web reference, since all I have is a physical one.Paladinyann 00:01, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

You are definitely welcome to add information sourced from print material. The exact medium of a reference doesn't matter. Our yardsticks are [WP:V|verifiability]] and reliability. --ElKevbo 00:43, 29 July 2007 (UTC)
See Citation templates for instructions on how to reference the article. SharkD 01:51, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Murdering children

It is supposedly a big damn deal that you can kill kids in Fallout since that's relatively rare in electronic games. Is this worth a mention? Universaladdress 06:55, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

This is probably more relevant for Fallout 2 since it is the distinction between American and European version of that game. --Voidvector 16:30, 1 August 2007 (UTC)
That's in Fallout 1 as well (the pickpocketing kids in the Hub), and it's more important in Fallout 1 because the removal of the kids breaks a bunch of quests in the non-US versions. Chris Cunningham 19:07, 1 August 2007 (UTC)
There are no children in Fallout 1. The pickpocketing kids are found in Den in Fallout 2. --Buxbaum666 09:15, 21 August 2007 (UTC)
There ARE children present in Fallout 1 ; just not in all versions. Can't recall which version had it, but there was a "Children Patch" to the UK version bringing back children.

Also there were no PICKPOCKETING kids in The Hub. You must have thought about Fallout 2, where in The Den they actually did steal. PLANET 13:08, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] 3 recruitable NPCs from The Brotherhood

It's possible to recieve a powerful support of 3 warriors from The Brotherhood of Steel, however they appear only at one place - The Military Base. To get them, the character have to visit the area of base, come back to The Brotherhood, and convince The Elders of attacing The Base and giving him a support. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Nepireus (talk • contribs) 10:58:26, August 19, 2007 (UTC).

[edit] German Wikipedia

The German Wikipedia has an article about Fallout,too. Someone should add the link. (de:Fallout (Computerspiel)) --Buxbaum666 09:20, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

Done. Thanks! Chris Cunningham 11:11, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Minor Changes

I added a few links to the "See Also" section, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, and Fallout (series). Maybe only the last one is necessary, your thoughts here!! --Sakkath 06:25, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

I'm going to reorg the intro to make this unnecessary, but thanks. Chris Cunningham 22:30, 23 August 2007 (UTC)

{{editprotected}} I would like to stress, that Fallout 1 has only _200_ % maximum on the skill points scale, unlike Fallout 2, which has 300 % maximum.

There is currently no way to correct it manually (edit is blocked), so I'm posting here for someone of greater access to correct this. Thanks in advance.

User: PLANET Time: 22:53 (CET) Date: 13th September 2007 (sorry, don't know how to write it in a better way)

This page is semiprotected; any username more than a few days old can edit it. There is no need for administrator assistance to edit this page. — Carl (CBM · talk) 23:43, 13 September 2007 (UTC)
Sure, but as a new user I wasn't aware of that. That's why I asked admin for a help, and the error was well... obvious. PLANET 22:52, 17 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Tagline

Should "A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game" be added to the article's title? This is the game's tagline. SharkD 18:34, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

Taglines are not part of a title. If it were a subtitle, it would be a different matter. --Mika1h (talk) 17:36, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

I always thought "A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game" was the subtitle. Both the Fallout Wiki and the mirror of the original Interplay site list the game as Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game. From the Fallout Wiki: "Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game - the first game in the Fallout Series, developed and published by Interplay in 1997." Bones O'Malley (talk) 20:07, 1 January 2008 (UTC)
After being referred to the above two articles, I feel more confused as to what constitutes a tagline or a subtitle. In this case (and others), the "tagline" is bunched up pretty close to title (i.e., it's not placed somewhere less prominently, such as along the bottom of the box/advertisement like in Alien (film), or along the top like in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan) and uses similar formatting and presentation (e.g., is placed in a colorful box and uses a similar font) as the title, which suggests to me it might be a subtitle. I was going to mention the mirrored original website, as well. SharkD (talk) 20:14, 1 January 2008 (UTC)
Hmm, I have always somehow considered "out of universe" lines like Riven: The Sequel to Myst or the title in question to be taglines. I have no sources to back this up, so I could be entirely wrong. --Mika1h (talk) 23:27, 3 January 2008 (UTC)