About Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas is an action RPG developed by Obsidian and published for PC. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it allows players to explore the Mojave Wasteland while making impactful choices that shape the narrative.
Quick Facts — Fallout: New Vegas
| Developer | Obsidian |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Genre | Action RPG |
The Significance of Ending Slides
In a recent discussion, Josh Sawyer, the design director at Obsidian, revealed insights into the decision-making process behind the game's ending slides. These slides summarize the outcomes based on player choices and actions throughout various quests. Sawyer explained that the selection of quests for these slides is "mostly arbitrary," indicating that it’s not solely based on the quest's importance but rather what the team finds interesting and entertaining.
Flags of Our Foul-Ups Quest Details
One notable quest that received an ending slide is called Flags of Our Foul-Ups, created by former designer Travis Stout. Sawyer described it as featuring a group of NCR soldiers who are characterized as ineffective and problematic. Players can utilize various skills—like Speech and Science—to aid these soldiers or, alternatively, choose to give them Psycho, a fictional combat stimulant.
This choice sparked curiosity among the team about the potential consequences during the Second Battle of Hoover Dam. Sawyer noted that the decision to use Psycho could lead to the soldiers becoming war criminals, as they would likely act violently against those uninvolved in the conflict.
The Psycho Ending Slide
The resulting ending slide for the Psycho choice reads: "Driven into a frenzy by their use of Psycho, The Misfits inflicted heavy casualties on the Legion during the defense of Camp Golf. At first they were commended for their valor, but eventually, desperate for more of the chem, they turned on travelers in Outer Vegas. For their dishonorable conduct, the NCR court-martialed and executed them by firing squad." This dark twist highlights how a seemingly minor decision can lead to severe consequences within the game.
What This Means for Players
This approach to storytelling in Fallout: New Vegas showcases the depth of player choices and their ramifications. By including an ending slide for a minor quest, the developers reinforce the idea that every decision holds weight, no matter how trivial it may seem at first. This adds layers of complexity and encourages players to think critically about their actions.
As Sawyer mentioned, while there are limitations on which quests receive ending slides due to time constraints, the focus remains on providing engaging narratives that resonate with players. This unique choice to feature a minor quest like Flags of Our Foul-Ups exemplifies Obsidian's commitment to player-driven storytelling.