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Unveiling Tim Cain's Tangle with Van Buren: The Untold Fallout Saga

"Oh shoot, I've said too long" - Fallout co-creator Tim Cain reveals his role in the cancellation of Van Buren, the original Fallout 3 (Via: vg247.com)

Image via: vg247.com - "Oh shoot, I've said too long" - Fallout co-creator Tim Cain reveals his role in the cancellation of Van Buren, the original Fallout 3

Tim Cain Discusses His Role in the Cancellation of Fallout Van Buren

Tim Cain, the co-creator of the Original Fallout series, recently disclosed his involvement in the cancellation of Fallout Van Buren, which was the codename for the original version of Fallout 3 being developed by Black Isle Studios, an Interplay subsidiary, in the early 2000s.


To provide some context, these events unraveled in 2002/2003, several years before Bethesda acquired the Fallout intellectual property (IP) and released the version of Fallout 3 widely recognized today. Notably, Cain had left Interplay by the time the game was in development, having exited to form Troika Games after his work on the first two Fallout titles.


Details from a YouTube Revelation

In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cain narrated that in mid-2003, a vice president from Interplay invited him to evaluate the then-current prototype of Van Buren. This interaction, Cain suggests, contributed to the project's ultimate cancellation.


For a more detailed account, you can read the full article on VG247.



McScratchey's Thoughts

The Tale of Tim Cain and the Fallout That Never Was

Have you ever wondered what could have been with your favorite game series?


, one of the creative brains behind the


series, offers us a tantalizing glimpse into a world that never got to see the light of day—


.


Oh, the early 2000s! Remember those days? I was still getting used to dial-up, and here’s Tim Cain, already a veteran game developer, carving out worlds we could lose ourselves in. If you’re like me and spent your high school years glued to the screen, Fallout was probably a major part of your virtual escapades. Fallout 1 and 2 were gems, the kind you could play over and over and always find something new.


The Van Buren What Now?

So, what’s this Van Buren fuss all about? Basically, it was the codename for the original version of Fallout 3, developed under Black Isle Studios, a subsidiary of Interplay. It was set to be this epic continuation of the series, picking up after the first two games. Imagine my teenage excitement at the thought! And then, just like that, *poof*, it was gone. Why? Turns out, our man Tim Cain had something to do with that.


A bit of backstory: By the time Van Buren was being developed, Cain had left Interplay to start Troika Games. I guess some workplaces just can’t help but call you back, because in mid-2003, an Interplay VP reached out to Cain, asking him to "come and play" the Van Buren prototype. Sounds like a dream job, right? Test-playing an unfinished Fallout game? Yes, please!


Spilling the Beans on YouTube

Jump forward to Cain's recent YouTube revelation, which you can check out here. It's a bit mind-blowing to think that his feedback might have contributed to the game's cancellation. It’s like a plot twist in one of Fallout’s labyrinthine storylines. Would Van Buren have been the game we all needed? Would it have flopped? The "what ifs" are tantalizing! And just like in the game, the choices we make ripple out in ways we might not fully grasp at the time.


The Fallout That Might Have Been

For me, thinking about Van Buren is like pondering a beloved book series that was never finished. It holds this mythical status. Bethesda’s eventual Fallout 3 was incredible, no doubt, but part of me will always wonder about that alternate universe where Van Buren was released. Maybe it would’ve been a total game-changer, who knows?


So, what do you think? Is Van Buren that one game you wish you could play? Or are you perfectly satisfied with the Fallout world as we know it? Either way, Tim Cain’s commentary gives us a rare peek behind the curtain, and I, for one, can’t get enough of these gaming "What If" scenarios.


The Verdict?

Maybe it's just the RPG nerd in me, but stories like this add layers to my love for video games. They’re like the lore behind the lore, and wouldn't you agree that's where the real magic lies? Drop your thoughts below, let's dissect this saga together!


Remember, the wasteland is vast, but our shared geekdom makes it feel a little smaller. Keep gaming and stay curious!



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