The original version of Fallout 3 is being revived as Project Van Buren, providing a look at the intended isometric RPG.
Fallout 3 could have been a very different game. Rather than the first-person adventure it became, it should have been an isometric role-playing game, like its predecessors. But thanks to developers Black Isle Studios going bust and the property being picked up by Bethesda, that game never happened.
But following the release of a tech demo (above) and design document in 2007 (confirming the original game’s working title as “Van Buren”), which provided an insight as to how Fallout 3 might have looked, the game has become a bit of an obsession with some classic Fallout fans. One of those is developer Adam Lacko, who’s Project Van Buren is building a new version of the game based on the tech demo and design docs. Here’s a look at it:
https://twitter.com/lacko_adam/status/1457815993997213701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1457815993997213701%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcgamer.com%2Fuk%2Fcanceled-fallout-rpg-from-2003-is-being-resurrected%2F
Using Unity to build the game and consulting with former Black Isle developers, Lacko states “Project Van Buren aims to recapture and preserve this visual presentation to the pettiest detail, staying true with the intended course of its original makers.”
Recently, Lacko has announced that the “last major technical feature” has been added, a sign that Project Van Buren could be ready. However, that doesn’t mean that a release is imminent.
https://twitter.com/lacko_adam/status/1458547561304936448?s=20
Oh, and we still don’t know what Bethesda has to say about it…
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
