Post-apocalyptic America has rediscovered the science of television, people. Bethesda Softworks has registered a trademark for "entertainment services in the nature of an on-going television program set in a post-nuclear apocalyptic world," sparking rumours that the unannounced Fallout 4 may feature an in-game TV series of some kind.
This follows a tantalising tweet last week by Fallout voice actor Erik "Three Dog" Todd Dellums. "To all my #Fallout3 and #ThreeDog fans: There may be more of the Dog coming! Fingers crossed!" Dellums later retweeted the following. "I know you can't say but I can state the obvious.. either 3 Dog in the fallout sequel or 3 dog in Fallout Movie. #letTheRumorsFly"
Fallout 4 rumours have been particularly rife of late. Last week, some guy on Reddit posted what he later admitted to be a bogus list of new features. Ed regurgitated it all without question, his journalistic instincts temporarily drowned by Fallout fever. Hey, you can't blame the man for dreaming.
Another, yet-to-be-debunked Fallout 4 rumour alleges that the game will take place in Boston, Massachusetts, and feature the Institute.
Update: Reader Chad Henshaw notes that Bethesda trademarked "Fallout" for use with "entertainment services in the nature of an on-going television program" back in 2009, and has yet to file a Terms of Use. It's possible, then, that the company is simply protecting its IP, and has applied for an updated trademark ("set in a post-nuclear apocalyptic world") because the original trademark is due to elapse.
By Alex Hawksworth-Brookes
8 comments so far...
CunningSmile on 17 Jan '13 said:
Unless it's buggy as hell and has guest stars with revolving heads it just won't be Bethesda
FishyGinger on 17 Jan '13 said:
In defense of Fallout games I've only seen one radscorpion fly across the sky and one robobrain wedged in a rock. That counts for both 3 and new vegas. Shame really. I didn't even get many in red dead redemption. A horse and cart started bouncing then flew off to the moon.
It's started snowing...
Bezza89 on 17 Jan '13 said:
It's probably the live action adverts again, like the 1950s ones for fallout 3, they were great. If it's even more than adverts and is actually watchable on tvs then it's even more great.
Sandbwoy on 17 Jan '13 said:
Gets me excited every time I see an article about Fallout 4. Let's hope it will be announced soon.
ipsofacto on 17 Jan '13 said:
I still haven't played 3... I played it for a bit once and I just remember the poor character models and not really getting the open world. I've since played Skyrim however and loved it. Is Fallout 3 a must play? I can't decide...
Branhelm on 17 Jan '13 said:
you need to play Fallout 3, and then you should buy Fallout: New Vegas. Get Oblivion while you're at it. They are all amazing games and you're missing out because of character models? Ignore them. They are not as bad as you may think. Play the game, once you've played for a while you won't even notice the models. And "not really getting the open world"? I don't even know what this means, but if you've played Skyrim then I'll assume you now get open worlds. p.s. get the GOTY editions of all of them if you can. they are worth it, trust me.
Drainwater on 17 Jan '13 said:
If you loved exploring random buildings/caves/open areas, or you loved just running up to that random npc to see what the hell they're doing and decided to help/rob them, or you loved just finding pure unadulterated loot...then I think you might enjoy Fallout 3 and New Vegas. Oh and there's a story or two in there somewhere. Or so I've heard.
Nymphonomicon on 19 Jan '13 said:
I hope Bethsoft goes back to the skintight Vaultsuits of the pre-3 games, but I doubt it.