Russ PittsThe Cold War era and threat of nuclear catastrophy brought the post-apocalyptic setting to the forefront of gaming. Rus Pitts was a child fascinated with these situations, and tells us how he explored them though gaming.
Issue 33 - Duck and Cover
- Thread starter The Escapist Staff
- Start date
Original Comment by: Jon Schwartz
http://www.kidsprogramminglanguage.com
I've been thinking a lot about this topic, as I just wrote an article about our retro recreation of the old classic Missile Command - the original theme of which was a nuclear assault on California. Given the inevitable ending, they abstracted California out of the game... You didn't mention it, Rus - but were you in the generation that saw Missile Command growing up? My article will be up in a week or two alongside our Asteroids article, which I mention and link cause it ends with a screenshot of Missile Command running, if you're interested. The Missile Command clone is included as part of KPL's installation package (site URL up by my name). KPL is our new FREEWARE language and libraries built specifically for coding fun stuff fast - like games. If you haven't heard much about KPL yet - you will.
http://www.kidsprogramminglanguage.com
I've been thinking a lot about this topic, as I just wrote an article about our retro recreation of the old classic Missile Command - the original theme of which was a nuclear assault on California. Given the inevitable ending, they abstracted California out of the game... You didn't mention it, Rus - but were you in the generation that saw Missile Command growing up? My article will be up in a week or two alongside our Asteroids article, which I mention and link cause it ends with a screenshot of Missile Command running, if you're interested. The Missile Command clone is included as part of KPL's installation package (site URL up by my name). KPL is our new FREEWARE language and libraries built specifically for coding fun stuff fast - like games. If you haven't heard much about KPL yet - you will.
Original Comment by: Evil Timmy
http://10mbit.com
By the time I was old enough to understand world politics, the Cold War had already ended, but post-apocalyptic settings have always fascinated me. Fallout 1/2 are still within my favorite few games of all time, because they were good RPGs but especially because they really explored a world that had been destroyed and rebuilt. There haven't been many good post-apoc games recently (feel free to point me in the direction of some if I'm wrong), and I've found myself replaying them every year or two. It's been said that the best science fiction is speculative fiction, and that's what many post-apoc-themed games, movies, and books really bring to the table. It seems that each time I replay the games, I pick up different aspects of the world (fictional and, by commentary, real), which is really a reflection of my own state of mind and developing maturity.
With the Radiant AI system, the graphics engine, and the moddability, I'm looking forward to Bethesda's Fallout 3, really more than anything else currently in development. Even if the game itself isn't up to the standards of the previous games, maybe I can create my own shattered world to become the hero of.
http://10mbit.com
By the time I was old enough to understand world politics, the Cold War had already ended, but post-apocalyptic settings have always fascinated me. Fallout 1/2 are still within my favorite few games of all time, because they were good RPGs but especially because they really explored a world that had been destroyed and rebuilt. There haven't been many good post-apoc games recently (feel free to point me in the direction of some if I'm wrong), and I've found myself replaying them every year or two. It's been said that the best science fiction is speculative fiction, and that's what many post-apoc-themed games, movies, and books really bring to the table. It seems that each time I replay the games, I pick up different aspects of the world (fictional and, by commentary, real), which is really a reflection of my own state of mind and developing maturity.
With the Radiant AI system, the graphics engine, and the moddability, I'm looking forward to Bethesda's Fallout 3, really more than anything else currently in development. Even if the game itself isn't up to the standards of the previous games, maybe I can create my own shattered world to become the hero of.
Original Comment by: Kemayo
http://www.ficwad.com
It is strange to contemplate a person who, going by the article, played Fallout after Half Life.
http://www.ficwad.com
It is strange to contemplate a person who, going by the article, played Fallout after Half Life.
Original Comment by: Mr Bone
Amen Brother!
I had the same experience during and after Fallout. It is to this date my best gaming experience, but both good and bad at the same time. Good because I'd suvived. Bad, because I tought the vault would be happy, welcome me back. I didn't cry.
It was better than meeting and falling in love with the girl in my second longtime relationship. Intense.
Amen Brother!
I had the same experience during and after Fallout. It is to this date my best gaming experience, but both good and bad at the same time. Good because I'd suvived. Bad, because I tought the vault would be happy, welcome me back. I didn't cry.
It was better than meeting and falling in love with the girl in my second longtime relationship. Intense.
Original Comment by: Russ Pitts
http://www.insomniacorp.com
With only a year's time separating the release of the two games, it's not _that_ hard to imagine, is it?
Actually, I was just speaking on this subject with a good friend of mine. How, despite being a fantastic game, _Fallout_ seemed to miss the mark with a lot of gamers. Either it wasn't marketed well (like _Psychonauts_) or it just didn't "feel" right for some folks. Whatever the case, it's far more popular now than it was in 1997. Word of mouth certainly helps that, I think. I can't wait for the third installment.
http://www.insomniacorp.com
With only a year's time separating the release of the two games, it's not _that_ hard to imagine, is it?
Actually, I was just speaking on this subject with a good friend of mine. How, despite being a fantastic game, _Fallout_ seemed to miss the mark with a lot of gamers. Either it wasn't marketed well (like _Psychonauts_) or it just didn't "feel" right for some folks. Whatever the case, it's far more popular now than it was in 1997. Word of mouth certainly helps that, I think. I can't wait for the third installment.
Original Comment by: Funky J
http://www.funkyj.com
Great article.
I too played Fallout AFTER Half Life...
I'm even one of those rarer individuals who doesn't think Half Life is 'all that'.
However, I too am a "day after boy", and I'm STILL waiting on the apocalypse, although now I know it'll be due to climate issues rather than nukes.
http://www.funkyj.com
Great article.
I too played Fallout AFTER Half Life...
I'm even one of those rarer individuals who doesn't think Half Life is 'all that'.
However, I too am a "day after boy", and I'm STILL waiting on the apocalypse, although now I know it'll be due to climate issues rather than nukes.
Original Comment by: CheshireNoir
http://cheshirenoir.livejournal.com
Interestingly, as another GenXer, the first Post-Apoc game for me was Wasteland (http://wasteland.rockdud.net/meantime.html for more info)
It had a brilliant combination of abstract art allowing me to mentally paint the landscape in a way later games weren't able to do.
Ahh Memories!
http://cheshirenoir.livejournal.com
Interestingly, as another GenXer, the first Post-Apoc game for me was Wasteland (http://wasteland.rockdud.net/meantime.html for more info)
It had a brilliant combination of abstract art allowing me to mentally paint the landscape in a way later games weren't able to do.
Ahh Memories!
Original Comment by: FenianEMT
Wasteland was also my first post-apocolyptic game. That game was sheer brilliance. I played (and loved) Fallout, but I still miss Wasteland! Now I'm going to have to go dig up my old Fallout CD and play it again.
Wasteland was also my first post-apocolyptic game. That game was sheer brilliance. I played (and loved) Fallout, but I still miss Wasteland! Now I'm going to have to go dig up my old Fallout CD and play it again.
Original Comment by: Jon H
I think I was born a few years after the author. I remember seeing the ad for The Day After on my TV Guide, but I was too young to understand the significance of it. "Star Wars" meant an awesome movie, not the arms race between two countries that threatened the existance of humanity.
With that, I find it amazing how I gleaned a completely different emotion from the conclusion of Fallout. Unlike Russ, I felt completely numb, and alone in a vast chasm. By the end, I realized that the story was a tragedy, despite the triumph of the Vault Dweller. The hero was an outsider and shut out from those he wanted to save. Nor did the Vault Dweller ever seem to have any control over his destiny in the world despite the player's control over his (or her) actions.
The final fade to black sent chills up my spine as the Vault Dweller walked away slowly - with his back turned away from the world.
Fallout taught me that when things go completely wrong there is no Vault Dweller waiting to save a corner of the world. I realized that I should be better steward of the world today so that the tragedy of Fallout can never happen.
I think I was born a few years after the author. I remember seeing the ad for The Day After on my TV Guide, but I was too young to understand the significance of it. "Star Wars" meant an awesome movie, not the arms race between two countries that threatened the existance of humanity.
With that, I find it amazing how I gleaned a completely different emotion from the conclusion of Fallout. Unlike Russ, I felt completely numb, and alone in a vast chasm. By the end, I realized that the story was a tragedy, despite the triumph of the Vault Dweller. The hero was an outsider and shut out from those he wanted to save. Nor did the Vault Dweller ever seem to have any control over his destiny in the world despite the player's control over his (or her) actions.
The final fade to black sent chills up my spine as the Vault Dweller walked away slowly - with his back turned away from the world.
Fallout taught me that when things go completely wrong there is no Vault Dweller waiting to save a corner of the world. I realized that I should be better steward of the world today so that the tragedy of Fallout can never happen.
Original Comment by: JonDouglas
I The author of the article really captured my feelings as well. As a matter of fact I was bound and detemined as a child to get my parents to put in a Fallout shelter. (they never humored me, however) And many of us felt the same anxiety, I think.
I had much the same reaction to Fallout also. To this day if someone asks my favorite game of all time, I say Fallout without hesitation. It got so many things right, that one couldn't help but to enjoy it. I remember everyone going on about Baldur's Gate the following year (or so), and after playing it thinking "that's a great game, but it's no Fallout"
Great article. really hit home with me.
I The author of the article really captured my feelings as well. As a matter of fact I was bound and detemined as a child to get my parents to put in a Fallout shelter. (they never humored me, however) And many of us felt the same anxiety, I think.
I had much the same reaction to Fallout also. To this day if someone asks my favorite game of all time, I say Fallout without hesitation. It got so many things right, that one couldn't help but to enjoy it. I remember everyone going on about Baldur's Gate the following year (or so), and after playing it thinking "that's a great game, but it's no Fallout"
Great article. really hit home with me.
Excellent article, Russ. I, too, relate on the Half-Life/Fallout side of things. HL is probably what brought me more into the gaming scene than any other game presented to me my entire life. From there, Fallout and the others just fell into place.
I, however, think I'd choose Half-Life over Fallout in the which-is-your-favorite-game question. Despite the fact that they are both brilliant.
I digress. Excellent article, Russ.
I, however, think I'd choose Half-Life over Fallout in the which-is-your-favorite-game question. Despite the fact that they are both brilliant.
I digress. Excellent article, Russ.
Original Comment by: Allon
II was about to post some insightful comments and personal observations about zeitgeist and it's relationships to a developing human mind and all that. Then some bastard decided it was a good idea to play Winds of Change on the radio. Now I have no idea about what to post.
II was about to post some insightful comments and personal observations about zeitgeist and it's relationships to a developing human mind and all that. Then some bastard decided it was a good idea to play Winds of Change on the radio. Now I have no idea about what to post.
Original Comment by: Alex Santos
I've never watched The Day After, but I think of myself as an Day After-kid, roaming the steets at night, trying to imagine the scenery as it would be after the fallout.
By the way, I can't say my reaction to Fallout was exactly the same as yours, but I can understand everything you said - it is magicat, a true masterpiece. I remember once saying to a now dead friend that everybody should be obligated to play Fallout - if not in life, immediatly after it. I wonder if he did : )
I've never watched The Day After, but I think of myself as an Day After-kid, roaming the steets at night, trying to imagine the scenery as it would be after the fallout.
By the way, I can't say my reaction to Fallout was exactly the same as yours, but I can understand everything you said - it is magicat, a true masterpiece. I remember once saying to a now dead friend that everybody should be obligated to play Fallout - if not in life, immediatly after it. I wonder if he did : )
Original Comment by: Mike Schneider
I am sorry I missed this edition when it first came out with this article.
It is very strange to read this as I have always felt the effect of watching The Day After. It had profound effect on me and my perception of the world. I too was a huge fan of the games mentioned in the article. Growing up, I and spent a great deal of time and energy (mentally) preparing for the end of civilization and how I would help to bring it all back.
Very amusing - this is almost like learning about a strange recovery group; "Hello, my name is Mike and I am a Day After survivor"
Great article!
I am sorry I missed this edition when it first came out with this article.
It is very strange to read this as I have always felt the effect of watching The Day After. It had profound effect on me and my perception of the world. I too was a huge fan of the games mentioned in the article. Growing up, I and spent a great deal of time and energy (mentally) preparing for the end of civilization and how I would help to bring it all back.
Very amusing - this is almost like learning about a strange recovery group; "Hello, my name is Mike and I am a Day After survivor"
Great article!