[Galaga Bee]

Judging from Pete Hines' recent quote that they are developing Fallout 3 "just like we developed Oblivion", it would seem as if these two games will have a lot in common (duh). Not sure if this was just a reference to the fact that they attempted to include as much TES history/lore from the first 3 games into Oblivion, and will therefore be doing the same for Fallout 3, or if this was meant as "we are going through the exact same development process for Fallout 3 which we used to make Oblivion", or "We are including the same kind of RPG and gameplay aspects we included in Oblivion", or what, but anyone with half a brain can see how easy it is to make comparisons between the 2 games.

Personally, I think it's great, which is why I am posting here instead of NMA or the Codex, where I would be instantly incinerated by flames for making this post. I'm sure the RPG "purists" disagree, but my feelings are that first-person perspective and real-time combat do not diminish the RPG experience, but only enhance it instead. I can remember thinking when I played Fallout 2 how great it would be if it was a 3D, open environment, and I am really looking forward to playing Fallout 3 for that very reason (among others).

It's time for the RPG Rip VanWinkle's to wake up and smell the 2006. Top-down, iso-linear (note the word "linear"), turn-based gameplay is a thing of the past (at least as far as major titles go). You don't have to like Oblivion or Fallout 3 in their new format, but it's all you're gonna get as far as these intellectual properties go, so I suggest putting your pre-conceived notions about RPG's aside and start accepting it, cause otherwise you'll be missing out on a couple of very good games. Who cares whether or not it's a "true RPG"? They're both going to be great games, and that's good enough for me.

Oh yeah, and don't even begin to think that your pleas to the devs for a return to the olden days are going to change anything, because unless Oblivion is a financial flop (Ha! yeah right), you can expect more of the same for Fallout 3. It's not that they're not listening to you, it's just that they have no desire to make another Pong.

PS This forum rules because I'm the only one posting in it and therefore everyone who visits this forum has to read what I have to say, because there are no other alternatives. Woohoo!