Today, Bethesda Softworks announced that they have plans to distribute a game editor and DLC for their super-popular-and-ultra-awesome game, Fallout 3, “in the coming weeks.” (Or, if you’re a stickler for more accurate timetables, the editor will be out in December and the DLC will hit the tubes in January.)
The official editor will be called the Garden of Eden Creation Kit (G.E.C.K. for short), and will allow Fallout 3 PC owners to create and add their own in-game content. (And clearly makes the PC version the superior choice for those yet to buy the game – if you can get it to work, that is. I still can’t launch my Steam copy I’ve had since launch.) “We’ve always seen the original world of Fallout 3 as a foundation for even more content. Some created by us, and a lot more created by users,” said Todd Howard, game director for Fallout 3. “It’s fun to create your own character, but it can be equally fun to create your own adventures. We can’t wait to see what the community does with the G.E.C.K.”
According to BethSoft, the tools will allow players to “expand the game any way they wish.” If it’s anything like what we got with Morrowind and Oblivion, I expect some awesome stuff to be coming out before the new year. (So get on it, modders!)
Even if the modders do slack off with new content, a month after the editor drops we’ll get three downloadable content packs on Xbox LIVE and PC. (No mention of PS3 in the press release, but when/if Bethesda gets back to me on that one I’ll let you know.)
Here are the descriptions of the DLC from the release:
Operation: Anchorage. Enter a military simulation and fight in one of the greatest battles of the Fallout universe – the liberation of Anchorage, Alaska from its Chinese Communist invaders. An action-packed battle scheduled for release in January.
The Pitt. Journey to the industrial raider town called The Pitt, located in the remains of Pittsburgh. Choose your side. Scheduled for release in February.
Broken Steel. Join the ranks of the Brotherhood of Steel and rid the Capital Wasteland of the Enclave remnants once and for all. Continues the adventure past the main quest. Scheduled for release in March.
No word on if the three are going to be purchasable separately, or if they all come together. Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to the price, too. Similar DLC for Oblivion went anywhere from 150 to 800 Microsoft points, but if I had to guess I’d wager that we’ll see it closer to the lower end of the spectrum.
UPDATE: Heard back from Pete Hines at Bethesda. The DLC is exclusively for Xbox 360 and PC.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I have to wonder - does the "steam version" of fallout 3 come with the new "games for windows - Live?" It's an interesting attempt to bring live to Windows, but i've heard rumors that it's not included in Steam releases.
With Ghouls, I will expect a "zombie conversion" to be among the first mods to come out for Fallout 3. Personally, i'd like to see someone hack up some kind of multiplayer. Co-Op maybe?
November 25th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
The Steam version comes with a code to activate it, Seaniccus. You still need your Live account, of course...
November 25th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Can anyone recommend the perfect christmas gift for a pro when it comes to video games? Thanks in advance.
November 26th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
That makes it the same as the disc version then, which comes with a sticker in the box. (It's pretty useless unless you want to check out the new Windows live experience or you are obsessed with achievements.) Still, I heard rumors that it was "removed," and that didn't sound right. Thanks for checking for me!
November 26th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Yeah, I haven't tried it myself yet (given I still can't even get the game to START on my PC without crashing...) but when you load it from Steam a pop-up displays saying "This is your Games for Windows Live key, write it down, yadda yadda."