310°

Bethesda learned hard lessons on 'Fallout 76' and asks fans to give it another chance

Newsweek speaks to Bethesda about "Fallout 76's" new expansion "Steel Reign" and and how the game has been turned around since its troubled launch.

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newsweek.com
Christopher1059d ago

I don't know. They've been hitting a lot of duds in Fallout since Fallout 4. My opinion, of course.

ToddlerBrain1059d ago

Truthfully, they were only ever ok with Fallout. New Vegas wasn’t made by them but propelled the series forward astronomically. Fallout 4 drops… it’s ok but not on the same level as New Vegas, then 76 drops, and we all know how well that launch went.

EazyC1059d ago

True, which is very ironic when you consider how outdated it is mechanically.

RPGs haven't really moved forward since Fallout: New Vegas as far as choice and real role-playing are concerned. It is mindblowing that they managed to make it in just a year and a half.

brewin1059d ago (Edited 1059d ago )

Yep. Fallout 4 and its DLC were great. Once Fallout 76 dropped, it was all downhill. They tried to do the same thing with Fallout that they were able to accomplish with Elder Scrolls Online. I cant do the MMO games though. Those single player masterpieces are what made those series! Not everything needs to have an MMO. I will never do the MMO jive, I just cant. Even with the supposed upgrades to 76, its like, why should I bother if I cant stand MMO's?! Theyll NEVER sell me on them.

Christopher1059d ago

No disregard for your opinion, but I was not praising Fallout 4 in my statement.

Rachel_Alucard1059d ago

The DLC in F4 was one of the worst add on contents I've ever seen. Want an expansion that ends in 10 minutes if you don't go full evil? Want nothing but more unfitting settlement assets? That was what they felt was worth $50.

KyRo1059d ago

Single player masterpieces? The stories and scripts are great. The voice acting, graphics (even at the times of release, always look dated), the animation, physics and clunkyness of the overall gameplay makes them nowhere near masterpiece in my opinion.

Bethesda has needed calling out for a long time. Any other games that had the same issues as fallout or the ES games would be severely marked down in reviews. I'm glad they are getting called out now. It's long overdue.

Yui_Suzumiya1059d ago

I enjoyed the hell out of Fallout 4 but it still wasn't as good as 3 or New Vegas and I'm waiting until there's a complete edition of 76 before I finally buy it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1059d ago
Eonjay1059d ago

I don't think they 'learned their lesson'. There was no real repercussions for their lies and half assed releases. In fact the owners were rewarded with 7.5 billion.

ActualWhiteMan1059d ago (Edited 1059d ago )

Don't even get me started on the Nylongate fiasco at launch. What a bunch of turds...

neutralgamer19921059d ago (Edited 1059d ago )

They need to learn from fallout 3 experience which they than saw improvements in new Vegas so Bethesda really needs to learn from obsidian more than FO76. Even outer worlds with it's limited budget was a much better experience than FO4. FO4 felt so shallow even was quite an disappointment coming from 3/NV

DarXyde1058d ago (Edited 1058d ago )

Considering their acquisition was years in the making, I think that makes it even worse. It's like winning the lottery and quitting your job in the most obnoxious, grandiose way that screws others.

They did some pretty outrageous things with Fallout 76. If you ask me, that was them acting like they had "f*** you" money.

I've never been one for Bethesda games, but even as a bystander, I was looking at what they were doing and had a feeling they were "trying to be bought". Sure enough, that guy feeling was correct.

People are free to give them another chance if they'd like, but in my view, if you do not have Game Pass, don't support them day one ever again. Wait a bit, make sure it's worth your time. If you've got Game Pass, go nuts, I say.

dumahim1058d ago

"If you ask me, that was them acting like they had "f*** you" money."

It felt like the opposite to me. Felt like they were desperate for more money. They knew 76 was shit, but pushed it out anyway. They tried to pull a fast one on the helmet bag thing because they wanted to spend less money, but blame a shortage on canvas.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1058d ago
-Foxtrot1059d ago (Edited 1059d ago )

Nah, they knew what they were doing

They had a chance to apologise to Obsidian with the way they were treated (the whole short development time and metacritic score thing) and get them to make a new Fallout spin off like New Vegas but they decided to cash in on a multiplayer game even though they have the Elder Scrolls Online going.

Zombieburger6381059d ago

Then add in all the scummy moves they pulled like the canvas bag, Nuka Dark and the shitty microtransactions. They don't deserve another chance.

solideagle1058d ago

Obsidian and Bathesda are colleagues now, isn't it? They can't say shit to each other and be buddy buddy now hehe

enkiduxiv1058d ago (Edited 1058d ago )

That remains to be seen. I personally would love to see Microsoft broker a deal between the two publishers to put Fallout back in the hands of competent developers again, but it might be a bad idea for Phil to even try. Microsoft wants to keep these newly bought studios happy. They have publicly stated that they won't interfere and force projects on their new studios.

I also can't really see a scenario where both Todd Howard and Tim Kane leave the negotiating table happy. Although Obsidian was very quiet about the metacritic fiasco after New Vegas launched, Chris Avellone posted a few strongly worded opinions to Twitter that pretty much sum up the sentiment between these two studios now. If memory serves, a bunch of Obsidian devs posted LOL comments when the 76 launch blew up in Bethesda's face as well.

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200°

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie. This is something of a homecoming, as Microsoft owns Activision.

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engadget.com
Obscure_Observer14h ago

Very very early in development. Still, fantastic news!

Let´s GO!!!

Lightning7712h ago

I guess.

How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )

At least it wouldn't be MS of all ppl destroying them.

MS really should let go Tango go like they did TFB here.

darthv7212h ago(Edited 12h ago)

one was under Bethesda (Tango) the other under Activision (TFB). Clearly each one handled the separations of their subordinates differently.

Obscure_Observer11h ago(Edited 11h ago)

"How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )"

Perhaps because Zenimax and ABK handles such matters differently based on their own internal policies as "independent" publishers.

Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future. Which could also be the reason why they ensured an exclusive partnership with TFB and its new game, before anyone else.

Sad and disgusting. But it is what it is.

Lightning778h ago(Edited 8h ago)

"Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future."

MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB.

It's inexcusable, they have options on how to handle studios they don't want anymore with killing jobs. Not just MS but the rest of the industry also.

Sad and disgusting sure how many will get shut down next year or this year even?

I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another.

Obscure_Observer40m ago(Edited 39m ago)

"MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB."

Imo, MS separated from TFB because they didn´t had a game associated with Xbox yet, unlike Tango.

"I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another."

Fair enough. It was indeed an epic dumb move from them to close Tango.

Still, all to be forgotten, like always have. This is not the first time a big publisher shuts down a beloved and/or successful studio out of nowhere and certainly won´t be the last. Do you remember Lionhead? Do you remember Evolution Studios? Yeah... both were beloved studios and yet, those companies kill those studios in q blink of an eye and got away with it.

-Foxtrot14h ago

Manages to buy their freedom especially after all the shit Microsoft has been doing with its studios lately

...

Goes right back to them as partners.

Okaaaaaay...

darthv7212h ago

Id venture a guess that TFB working directly with MS was a better outcome than working through Activision to get to MS.

VersusDMC10h ago

From the article...

"Toys for Bob spun out as an indie back in February after Microsoft instituted sweeping layoffs that impacted 86 employees, which was more than half of the staff"

I doubt those 86 employees enjoyed the Microsoft experience over Activisions.

Inverno9h ago

MS shuts down studios because of lack of resources and then helps these guys by giving em resources. Also MS is what forced them to buy their freedom in the first place? What kind of logic 😂

Chevalier6h ago

The best thing is that the company that is worth $3 trillion and owns the company instead of Xbox lacks resources. How the hell does a company worth $3 trillion making a measly $70 billion purchase they 'can't' support. Lol

Sciurus_vulgaris12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

Xbox’s gaming division seems to still function as 3 semi-autonomous sub-divisions, Xbox Studios, Bethesda and ABK. The three main sub-divisions can seemingly shut down or build studios and set up partnerships independently. This would explain why Bethesda can recently shutdown studios, while ABK spins off one studio, while building a new one. Plus, Toys for Bob could be spun off by ABK, only to immediately re-partner with Microsoft.

Chevalier6h ago

That's absolutely 💯 BS. Any sane 'autonomous' company would NOT put their games on Gamepass day 1 like COD will lose probably billions.

Also they're all under Xbox game studios so any autonomy is an illusion.

Elda6h ago

Either a kiddie game or something uninteresting.

Obscure_Observer31m ago

Don´t worry. You won´t be playing it anyway since their next game will possible be a next gen Xbox console game.

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190°

Sony shares big new PS Plus stat, but not the one we want to see

PlayStation Plus has improved the split of PS4 and PS5 players on its priciest tiers, but Sony continues to hide total subscriber numbers.

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theloadout.com
mandf17h ago

lol acting like it’s equivalent to ms numbers

Mr Logic17h ago

Uh...They're definitely not equivalent.

"Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service now has 34 million subscribers."

"the total number of PS Plus subscribers across all tiers was 47.4 million"

darthv7217h ago(Edited 17h ago)

That PSN number seems like it should be much higher... especially when you consider that PS4 alone has a sell through of over 117m. To not even be at least half that is rather interesting.

To the XB side, having 34m to an install base of roughly 50m (XBO sell through) or even 85m (360 sell through) is a greater percentage of unit to member ratio than PSN.

bloop13h ago

That's not the "gotcha" you think it is Darth.

darthv7212h ago

^^it's not supposed to be bloop.... it's just an interesting observation.

Einhander197211h ago

darthv72

"That PSN number seems like it should be much higher... especially when you consider that PS4 alone has a sell through of over 117m. To not even be at least half that is rather interesting.

To the XB side, having 34m to an install base of roughly 50m (XBO sell through) or even 85m (360 sell through) is a greater percentage of unit to member ratio than PSN."

Have you ever heard of a PC before? I hear they are pretty popular.

fr0sty5h ago

MS started lumping gold subscribers in with those GP numbers... keep in mind.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5h ago
shinoff218316h ago(Edited 16h ago)

What. Definitely more os plus subscribers but that makes sense due to actual console sales

Darth the difference between the bases are huge your right but you gotta think. Ps players buy more games, where as the Xbox base relies on gamepass for their gaming. So it makes perfect sense

darthv7216h ago(Edited 16h ago)

What makes perfect sense though? You say PS players buy more games... so then logically there should be more PS+ subscribers given the increased number of online multiplayer games in the PS4 generation alone. The PS4 was the first time that + was required for online play much like Gold was for 360 users.

Keep in mind we are talking subscribers, not simply XB/PS users. I assume you meant to say offline single player games, which is most likely true as well. That gen also saw a significant increase in games with an online component comparted to the previous gen.

victorMaje15h ago

I for one will be going back to essential at the next renewal. When I feel a game is good & right up my alley, I’ll check trusted reviews & just buy it.

jznrpg14h ago(Edited 14h ago)

I have the top tier until 2028 as they gave me a massive discount for all the years I had left but I’ll most likely go to essential as well. I buy my games but my kids do use the service occasionally. They do prefer to own their games as well since any game can leave the rental service at some point and they don’t like that idea. They mostly use it to demo games then ask me to buy games if they really like it.

RedDevils9h ago

For me, I will cancel it all together but unfortunately I still have it till 2030 lol

meganick14h ago

I would like to see Sony add a fourth tier of PS Plus for people who just want to be able to play games online without any of the perks like monthly games, store discounts, or anything like that, and it should cost $20 annually, $30 maximum. There’s no way I’m paying $80 just to play games online. Even the original $60 fee was too much, and I would often wait for sales to re-up my subscription.

P_Bomb10h ago(Edited 10h ago)

Essential is too expensive, I agree. We’ve got one Essential and one Premium sub. Dropping the Premium when it expires.

gamerz6h ago

Just let my subscription lapse for the first time since 2010. Will sub again every now and then for a month or so to access my old ps+ games but for me it's the end of an era.

DivineHand1256h ago

Let those numbers continue to drop because it is now too expensive. $80 per year just to play online. I noticed they didn't offer any discounts on the subscription or controllers during this year's days of play for the first time in many years and they will feel it when people choose not to renew.

My subscription will lapse next month and it will stay that way until further notice.

KevtheDuff2h ago

There were savings on subs and controllers here in the UK? I bought a controller yesterday in the sale..
It would be weird if those deals were not in other territories too?

130°

What Happens to Your Steam Account When You Die?

The Outerhaven writes: While Steam has come out recently, stating that Steam accounts can't be transferred, we need to think about it since we all will eventually kick the bucket. But if Valve is denying transferring accounts, what can be done? Plenty, actually.

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theouterhaven.net
thorstein1d 15h ago

It goes to my kids because I gave them the passwords.

To Steam: Missio has a song that conveys my feelings about you stealing my purchase after I die. It's called "Middle Fingers"

shinoff218320h ago

Pretty much. My son knows my info.

Abear2120h ago

Yeah worrying about digital ownership when you’re on the other side of the grass seems a little strange, but also on brand for these millennial journalists to worry about.

qalpha5h ago

I'm sure Keith will be happy to hear he's a millennial journalist.

Goodguy011d ago

I suppose if I have kids, I'd just give em my account details by retirement age. If I die young then...idk lol.

CrimsonWing6921h ago

Yea, I mean just give someone the password to your account. Is that difficult to do or something? Like, I’m legit asking because I don’t know.

anast19h ago(Edited 19h ago)

It's not difficult but It's against the policy. If they find out, they will lock the account permanently.

CrimsonWing6918h ago

Ah ok, I had a feeling there was something like that. It seems kind of weird that you can’t just hand your account over to a family member or friend and let them take over the account.

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