Interplay looking into a making a Fallout MMORPG

[Velorath]

Edit:  Yes this is an old thread.  Feel free to skip to the end.

Don't know if this has been mentioned elsewhere:

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/rpg/bgdarkalliance2/news_6101470.html

Of course I'm sure we all have our doubts that a company that can't afford to pay rent, keep it's website up, or pay employees, is actually capable of  making an MMORPG at this point, let alone doing justice to a series like Fallout.

[Comstar]

Not a hope. Pity.

Someone will Mad Max Online, one day.

[schild]

There's hope if Interplay farms it out to Obsidian Entertainment for mad cash. That said, there's not a hope.

[Sable Blaze]

If they could pull it off, it'd be...well...I'd pay money to play. Can't say much more than that.

I'd do the Mad Max thing, too. I'd pay a monthly fee to be a bronze. Without a second thought.

[geldonyetich]

Well, they may be in massive financial turmoil, but these guys *are* Interplay.   It's not like they're a new, inexperienced group of overoptimistic yahoos who think they know how to make a game.    Get some financial backers for this project, which shouldn't be hard considering their long established game development history, and they're in good shape.

So as a gamer, my concern turns towards the quality of the game itself.

Fallout Online.   The idea's been kicked around for a long time - I've seen Interplay forum posts about it since Fallout 2.    It's not the first post apocolyptic MMORPG, that's been done more than once.   However, this would be the first *Fallout style* post-apocolyptic MMORPG, which puts it in sort of a mad-max style world with less vehicular emphesis and more radiation.    That's just the setting, of course, the gameplay is what matters.

For the gameplay, I hope they at least use a derivative of the SPECIAL system, which is both balanced and quite flexible.   The perks really brought  that system to life.    There was generally three overall paths to success in the original fallout game: being a combat expert, sneaker, and smooth talker.     That's already two more paths to success than most MMORPGs support.    However, there were other considerations that helped as well, such as medical training, demolitions, and science knowledge.

For the combat system itself, it's probably too much to hope that they implement the original turn based combat model (like in Fallout 1 and 2).   I'm pretty sure it's the original turn based combat model that really made it fun to hose down a batch of mutants with a laser chaingun, but that's not very compatible with a MMORPG mechanic.   So, likely we'll either end up with a strange real time strategy hybrid (Fallout Tactics) or (as they'll probably abandon the isometric perspective) even more likely an Everquest-like combat interface (like most MMORPGs ever developed) with extremely little to do with the original two games.

[Kenrick]

Carmageddon Online........  oh wait nevermind.

[Krakrok]

Still waiting for the PlanetSide: Waterworld expansion.

[schild]

Still waiting for the PlanetSide: Waterworld expansion.

It will be the most expensive expansion ever made. All the computers will crash, and it will be lost forever.

[Riggswolfe]

The problem is that Fallout wouldn't translate well to an MMO.

I love Fallout 1 and 2. I've probably replayed no games as many times as I've replayed those 2. However, I don't think you can remake what made those games fun in an MMO world.

The quirky humor...maybe
The maturity of the game (in the rating sense alone, since I doubt if the humor and such could be called mature)...doubtful, these games are to hard to keep kids out of
The pace of gameplay...nope
The interaction with NPCs...I've yet to see an MMO pull of indepth NPC interaction. Which means that for instance, the charming character type is right out the window.

I just don't think it'd work. It'd be just an MMO with some Fallout type look to it and maybe a few nods to the game. Vault 13 as a dungeon for instance.

[HaemishM]

This is a motherfucker with absolutely NO GODDAMN GRIP ON REALITY.

Despite its grim situation, Interplay issued a press release announcing an audacious plan to parlay its prized Fallout brand into a massively multiplayer role-playing game. A surprisingly upbeat Caen said in a statement that, "based on a detailed review of where our industry stands and the level of interest in the gaming community in taking some of our premier properties online, we are now pursuing several options to fund our entry into massively multiplayer online gaming with titles including Fallout."

Dude, you can't pay fucking rent. You will run out of money in 5 FUCKING WEEKS. MMOG's require a minimum of $3 Million to develop and that's DAoC numbers, which I'm sure will be much more for your company.

You are a clueless ass-monkey.

That said, I'd dip my toe into a Fallout MMOG.

[Daeven]

I think this falls into the realm of 'Give us cash quick! See? we have a great idea with buit in market appeal! Save us Obi Wan, Save us!'

[Furiously]

I think this falls into the realm of 'Give us cash quick! See? we have a great idea with buit in market appeal! Save us Obi Wan, Save us!'

Other then the Obi Wan bit - I was thinking "Last ditch money grab."

[Alluvian]

If I was an investor, I would have two questions for these people.

1)  If you were serious about this, why didn't you seek this money before you stopped paying your employees and your building lease?

2)  Do you remember the way out of our offices?

[NiX]

"Initial feedback from our investment bank and ongoing dialogue with others in the gaming sector, appear to confirm that the combination of our valuable and popular intellectual properties with the rapidly growing online gaming community is the best way to maximize Interplay shareholder value," Caen said.

Pfft! And they say they do it for the players. My. Fucking. Ass.

[geldonyetich]

Apparently they're not doing it for the money.

[schild]

Apparently they're not doing it for the money.

Heh.

They're probably not 'doing it for the critics' either.

[Velorath]

This is a motherfucker with absolutely NO GODDAMN GRIP ON REALITY.

Despite its grim situation, Interplay issued a press release announcing an audacious plan to parlay its prized Fallout brand into a massively multiplayer role-playing game. A surprisingly upbeat Caen said in a statement that, "based on a detailed review of where our industry stands and the level of interest in the gaming community in taking some of our premier properties online, we are now pursuing several options to fund our entry into massively multiplayer online gaming with titles including Fallout."

Dude, you can't pay fucking rent. You will run out of money in 5 FUCKING WEEKS. MMOG's require a minimum of $3 Million to develop and that's DAoC numbers, which I'm sure will be much more for your company.

You are a clueless ass-monkey.

True, but if he's going to stick to the all optimism and no business sense school of game making, maybe he can hire David Allen to give him a hand.

[HaemishM]

Hmm, Fallout MMOG with Vampires, Demons, player Dragons, and underwater cities for teh win!?

[Sky]

Don't forget tentacle rape.

[Furiously]

Radioactive Fetapults?

[jpark]

You know multiplayer Fallout would be a lot of fun too.  A mini-MMORPG where you log on and your "universe" can permit up to 6 other players.

[Velorath]

You know multiplayer Fallout would be a lot of fun too.  A mini-MMORPG where you log on and your "universe" can permit up to 6 other players.

If they were to do that than they should just sell the rights to Fallout to ArenaNet and have them do it instead.  That would probably be quicker and easier in the long run than trying to con investors into giving him money to piss away.

[Krakrok]

You know multiplayer Fallout would be a lot of fun too.  A mini-MMORPG where you log on and your "universe" can permit up to 6 other players.

I thought that was called Fallout Tactics. You stick dynamite on dogs and blow them up next to the enemy.

There is actually a Fallout (modern tileset) for NWN. It has a city scape, tanks, guns, and deathclaws.

[jpark]

By multiplayer Fallout I meant the retention of quests and faction and all things that made that game special in addition to gaming with your buds.  Tactics was interesting, but was never intended in my understanding to have the story line elements / quests etc. of Fallout 1 or 2.

[Velorath]

Almost 4 years later and Interplay is still trying to get funding to get a Fallout MMO going.

In a recently released annual regulatory filing, Interplay has reaffirmed a "two-pronged growth strategy" that involves securing "at least" $30 million for a Fallout MMO and reviving classic owned videogame IP.

The publisher hopes to secure the funding for a Fallout MMO through methods including but not limited to licensing, loans and/or the selling of assets.

Interplay, which ceased operations a few years ago, has a chance to make a comeback thanks in large part to 2007's $5.75 million sale of the Fallout IP to Bethesda, developer of Oblivion and the upcoming Fallout 3. Interplay licensed the IP back for the proposed Fallout MMO.

The other "prong" of Interplay's growth strategy is to develop sequels to IPs including Earthworm  Jim, Dark  Alliance, Descent and MDK--titles that haven't seen installments for years, but still maintain a strong cult following.

"...We are...exploring ways to leverage our portfolio of gaming  properties  through  sequels and  various  development  and  publishing arrangements," Interplay said in an April 3 US Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Development of the titles depends on whether or not Interplay can obtain financing for the projects. Initial funding for the projects will come from the sale of the Fallout IP to Bethesda, Interplay said.

Interplay also confirmed that it is re-instating its in-house development studio and has hired game developers. One of those developers is former Fallout artist Jason Anderson, who is serving as creative director of Interplay.

Interplay currently has no products in development by external developers.

The firm said that if it cannot raise the funding to bring its growth plan to fruition, it may choose to liquidate assets, sell the company, file for bankruptcy, or try to continue operations.

Interplay knows that it has its work cut out. "These conditions,  combined with our historical  operating  losses and our deficits in  stockholders'  equity and working  capital,  raise  substantial  doubt  about our ability to continue as a going concern," the company said. Interplay also warned investors of the risk that it may not be able to successfully develop a Fallout MMO at all, terminating its license.

I wasn't aware that Interplay even existed anymore.

[DarkSign]

Yes. They're around. Most recently they tried to help publish/finance some asian mmo (name escapes me...starts with a "b" I think?) and that failed miserably.
Herve literally looted the company when they went under the first time.

[stu]

They made less than $6 mil on the Fallout IP? Fuuuuuuck.

[ahoythematey]

what an epic necro.  i cant believe they're still trying