Frequently Asked Questions
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 พ.ค. 2024
- I answer many questions that have been asked over the last few weeks, so hopefully people can watch this video and refer back to it if those questions are asked again.
In brief, here's what I cover:
- This channel is to talk about the game development of my own games.
- I’m not trying to start a Kickstarter, make a new IP, or reform Troika.
- I don’t own the rights to Fallout, Arcanum, or Bloodlines, so I cannot make a remaster or a sequel. Contact Bethesda or Activision for questions about that.
- I do own the code for Arcanum and Temple but I cannot release it. Contracts and NDAs still apply. I have compiled them on modern compilers, for fun.
- I’m currently a contractor, working for several companies, including Obsidian. I’m not an employee of Obsidian or Microsoft or any other company.
- I’m working on TOW2, but as a contractor. I’m not the director.
- I’m not going to play other people’s games, or rank them, or review them.
- I didn’t work on Fallout New Vegas. It shipped the year before I started at Obsidian, so I have no stories to tell about it.
- I don’t want to talk about events I didn’t witness, and I never want to tell you what someone else was thinking or feeling or planning. Because I don’t know. I can just tell you what they did.
- I’m not going to do regular interviews with other developers, but as questions about my games accumulate that I don’t have answers to, I’ll invite old colleagues on to answer those questions
- Why am I doing this? I’m now the age my father was when he passed away. I want some of the stories remembered, and apparently I’m a better speaker than a writer. So you get videos instead of a book.
- It’s hard to tell true stories. Everyone remembers events differently. Even with my notes, people have disagreed with me. Often it’s a matter of subtle difference, e.g. we had made the Temple starting area for Fallout 2 early on, but it wasn’t a tutorial and it was skippable. That’s one of the reasons I implore you not to cast my stories with heroes and villains. That changes with perspective, either from different people’s viewpoints or the same persons viewpoint changing over time. As I’ve gotten older and my color vision has faded, ironically I see things less as black and white. I recommend you do the same. - เกม
I'm glad you're doing these, Tim. It reminds me of some fun times. You were easily one of the best people I've ever worked with, it really came across that you cared about the game and the people working to make it. I'm also happy to watch these just to see that you are doing well.
As a new developer (not in the games industry) this is exactly the type of comment I hope to receive down the line from my coworkers. What wonderful praise for Tim this is!
@Miller Johnston you ain't ish you ain't even got money LOL why don't u get money
@@andybonerpower1806 thanks for your input andybonerpower
@@almazingsk8er shut it acumbag …don’t need u runnen ur lip
@@andybonerpower1806 you seem jealous
4:36 "You don't wanna watch us stumble around in our own games..."
Oh but you're underestimating us Mr. Cain... 😆
Tim... I don't have a question at all. I just want you to know that I absolutely am still head over heels in love with Arcanum.
Probably the best RPG of all time.
As do I.
we all are fam
I would 100% watch you and Leonard play Fallout again. In fact, every time I start a new game of Fallout I always listen to the GDC talk you did about the development of the game, and then I watch the playthrough you did with Leonard. It's just wonderful. Thanks again for these videos, Tim.
I remember watching Chris Avellone play Arcanum and that was a hoot.
@@cmdr.jabozerstorer3968 can you link that?
@@00oKMo00 Think it was part of the Pillars of Eternity Kickstarter. I'll have to find it.
Love ya Tim; even with this FAQ, people will still be asking these same questions until you are no longer doing TH-cam videos. I've been doing this for over a decade, and I'm still asked the same five questions.
To be fair your probably asked where the quality of your content has gone not fallout questions
It always feels good to prove the naysayers wrong. Kudos, Tim!
Who where these ppl? 😠
Congrats on the 15k subscribers! Thank you for all of the stories and behind the scenes you're sharing with us!
Thank you for all that you have done over the years. Your games have always been a big part of my life.
I would have guessed you did C++ for Fallout and onwards. I am glad to hear you wrote portable C for Arcanum. Would you talk more about the libraries and tools you wrote in a separate video for those of us who are programmers (I believe a good number of people)? TTRPG and coding are two topics I love hearing more about from you.
I gotta say your channel is my new favorite channel.
There is just something about this format, your honesty, and how you seem to be just telling history not interested much in drama or vindicating your views. And obviously the incredible insights, goes without saying.
I just hope we get more content
Thank you for doing this, Tim! Watching developers talk about the industry and making games as a whole is extremely insightful, and I'd put what you're doing alongside the legendary Bungie Halo ViDocs and Josh Sawyer's content on design (at first specifically New Vegas, unsurprisingly my favorite game drew me in) as priceless learning for whoever will be making the next great game.
I've also been watching Mark Darrah's channel a bit. Definitely worth a look.
@@cmdr.jabozerstorer3968 Just checked his channel out, thanks! Well of info from him also
@@londonjolly9174 He's a lot dryer with his delivery but his insight is excellent.
A real gem of a channel. Looking forward to more stories! Congrats on 15k!
Thanks for giving back to the community, Tim! Hope you and your loved ones are well.
love this channel tim, fun to hear you sit and talk about your experience with game development
Tim, you are an absolute treasure. It is a joy listening to you speak (as you mentioned, you're a great storyteller; but you also have a very endearing voice as well), and are a fountain of knowledge. Once I found out about your channel through reddit, I ended up binge watching all of your videos.
Thank you for sharing these stories with us.
Arcanum blue balls :D
Really wished you could release the code and let the fans make a proper overhaul.
Hearing your stories is so fascinating! If you ever end up writing a book I'd looooove to read it!! Thank you for sharing them!
Your telling includes your animated facial expressions. :D They probably convey your joy better than just words.
This channel is the gift that keeps on giving. been a fan of tim cains work almost my whole life and never expected to hear the story's around these games.
I discovered your channel yesterday and really appreciate the invaluable lessons and stories that your proving to people aspiring to work in the gaming industry! I also think that many people would enjoy stories that aren't necessarily gaming related. I, for one, am really curious to hear how you developed your passion for chocolate and why you decided to make a blog for it :)
I’m curious if a Fallout behind-the-scenes/cut content channel called TriangleCity has gotten in touch to do an interview. He does great videos and he seems like a real nice guy, I’m sure he’d be stoked to speak to you and it would certainly put a lot of his previous cut content videos into context, with regards to Fallout (1) specifically.
I've been really enjoying your channel. You seem like just a cool genuine positive dude. It's neat to hear stories about these games so many of us old dudes played on release.
Thank you for your content! I really like both your stories and your delivery! I'm very thankful this industry has someone like you
I found your channel when I was looking at Fallout content and it popped up in my suggestions feed. I'm so glad it did. I now have a whole new list of old school games to look out for. They predate my ability to actually buy my own games. I'm also delighted to hear you have such a high opinion of New Vegas. I've just recently been able to start that one.
I loved this channel since it first started. Do whatever you want, but the way you are doing it now is what I love.
I just want to say thank you for sharing your memories and stories from behind the scenes of so many iconic games. The gaming industry is lucky to have had you over these years.
You're a legend man, keep up the videos, I really love hearing about the behind the scenes on my two favorite games!
Tim, I'm just glad you're here wanting to tell all those stories.
Thank you and can't wait for more!
Tim, these are great videos. I truly enjoy hearing from you on all of these points. The insight into the industry, and into one of my favorite sets of games, has been amazing. Thank you!
Love these videos, Tim, they’re all super interesting.
Loving your stories, a great lunch time companion! You have had a really cool career
Sorry to hear about your father, i lost mine when he was 56. Thanks for these videos i love hearing old storys!
It's very cool and inspiring that you've established this channel and are sharing stories from the development.
Revisiting some of favorite games, learning more about people and circumstances that made them happen (even though they still feel like wonders and miracles - something that I never truly experienced when actually working at dev studios, but did feel on pet projects).
And that the stories are told as actual Things That Happen, and not a most-dramatic version that game documentary videos and channels usually aim for (not that those are bad, but the change of pace is welcome!)
I did wonder if this is a warm-up before a game/Kickstarter announcement :D But having these stories here, in easy access, is of a big value on its own.
Anyway, cool and inspiring. Thanks again!
Love everything you're doing with this channel. Your work has been greatly inspirational to me Tim.
Your videos have truly been insightful and I enjoy listening to them. I know it was your job and all, but I still want to say thanks for your contribution to videogame history and the future. You, and many of your other previous coworkers, really gave millions of people endless hours of entertainment and memories.
Sir, I'm so happy I found this channel.
Thank you for the true high-quality game VTMB
Your games are some of my favorites ever. They also changed my life, got me into game development, and got me thinking about some important questions. I really appreciate you sharing your stories and expereinces with us :)
Honestly looking forward to every video you post because your storytelling is amazing 👌🏽 loved your video about disneyland and video game design
Love your work, Mr. Cain. I am a newcomer to the works you and your wonderful team made (I just turned 22) and I just have to say... I LOVE THEM! College is really grinding me down into mush (not to toot my own horn but Medicine is possibly one of the hardest challenges one can face in life) and so being down in these mines really zaps all your energy out of you. Fortunately, I still have a sliver of time that I can spend on gaming, and your worlds simply are breathtaking! That's it really, no questions no nothing. Just a good old "thank you" for your unmeasurably comforting works.
Congratulations on your channel subscriptions. I'm not familiar with your work but am enjoying tales of development.
This format works well, and I enjoy having something to put on to listen to while I walk.
I hope you get what you are looking for out of this channel.
Glad you are doing these. You probably realize it, but even if you do FAQs like this expect to get the same questions over and over. Either from people who just started watching your stuff, or people who skip things. Maybe in future FAQs you can direct them to older FAQ videos. Or... Make a webpage where you answer common questions with a link and time stamp to a video, and pin that link in future FAQ videos. That might cut down on some noise, or at the least cut down on repeat questions you got to filter through.
These stories have been wonderful and fascinating. Im extremely happy to hear your side of events, not just because "oh renown person speaks" but time is moving on and we are losing our ability to document the history of these wonderful and important games, so hearing stories from anyone i think is incredibly important. So flawed as they may be, thank you for sharing them
Thank you for sharing all of this, I’ve been watching since a week or two after you started if I’m not wrong and I’ve loved every single upload! As someone who’s always loved games and even has their interest for game development started by modding fallout 3 and new Vegas and hearing the tales of how fallout 1 and outer worlds came to be… it’s inspiring, you’ve introduced me to the idea it’s okay to be passionate about it and do what I love by any means I can (such as buying a prebuilt game and working off the top of it as it sounds easiest for me being nearly green). So thank you! Thanks for sharing it all and reading the comments and giving the people who love your games and work a little real deal behind the scenes perspective all out in the open for free. I hope you’re having a good day and a good life and this channel brings you as much positivity as it has some of us
Your videos are gold! Please do talk more about game design and dev processes!!!
Thanks for documenting all this
Love your videos man, you made me love the Fallout series, from 1 to 4, i love them all
Dude, in all honesty, thank you for what you have done. 3 years ago when we got all arrested at home bc covid, me and my best friends started d&d for the first time and I remember how, after writing for weeks my fallout roleplaying system, I uploaded an old photo of you in Interplay as my profile picture in the web we used to use to play d&d online. Since 2020, me and my group of friends have struggled to see each other as much as we would want to, but somehow my Fallout roleplaying game has managed to keep the group together through the years. Next week the party will probably get to turn on the legendary Highway man. Thanks for all, Tim.
It would be really great to see you play through your old games. Giving insight and fun facts as you play. If you’d want to do that I know many people would watch 👍.
Thank you for this channel and keep doing what you're doing
I very much appreciate your perspective of relating to your age and wanting to preserve that knowledge. If we don’t share it, it never perpetuates. You’re doing great work on this channel.
Honest hearts survivalist storyline in New vegas made me tear-up. The story telling in new vegas was awesome.
For the Republic still remains to me as the Canonical ending for FNV. It's just too damn good.
Having written a book myself, I can tell you that transmission is about reception. Not the person who's trying to emit. If you're finding that your ability to express yourself is limited by the medium, it's not you. It's the medium. So consider finding an editor, or a co-writer who can help you refine the tone of what you are trying to transmit so more people can receive it in a more emotionally open way. As you know already, people don't make big decisions about what they think. They make decisions about what they feel. So if someone is telling you that they feel something when they're reading your book, listen to it. When someone is telling you that they feel something when listening to your podcasts, listen to them. Your information is the same. But how you transmit it maybe reliant on the medium that you're working within.
Consider this. Listening to the text of your own book. You may find that what you write feels different than how you speak. I have also received feedback from a number of people with the book that I wrote that they could hear my voice when I was talking. Some of them liked it, some of them thought it was a detriment to the information that was contained within. My sincere hope is that you can find the information and the emotional tone that you wish to transmit and understand that many people read differently than they listen to other people in conversation. This channel is you talking to someone as if they were across the desk from you and you were just talking to them. You can do it. It's just a matter of finessing the details and realizing the medium that you're choosing to communicate with is different and as such, needs to be treated and approach differently.
This is just technique. The content and the intent are the same. I wish you luck finding what works with you and I've thoroughly enjoy listening to you on your TH-cam channel.
Be well.
thanks for all your work, good sir :)
tim, greetings from a fan who was just a wee kid when fallout and fallout 2 hit and was absolutely mindblown by the amazing work you all did.
i'm glad you're doing fine and it's great you took the time to do these videos
I would really think a video talking in depth about the work on VTMB with Leonard and/or Jason would be awesome! Love the channel!
Hey Tim. Thanks for sharing your stories. It's very important for us, people who interested in old game development history, and Fallout ofc. BTW it's amazing to hear that you applied the module programming style to achieve the platform-independency and quick GURPS/SPECIAL swap, as a programmer myself I really appreciate to hear these examples, it kinda suggests that we are doing everything right with adopting all these techniques of the software design in our programs today. It's amazing to realise that you were a project lead for Fallout games while also being a great programmer (which kinda should've been obvious or at least suspected, but still these little details tell a lot about your personality).
First of all I just want to say, as many, many people have already said before me, you are a huge inspiration for me and probably my main role model, Mr. Cain. Watching these videos has quickly become my daily activity and I eagerly anticipate every new one. It's just amazing how insightful and fun they are at the same time, and how down to earth you are for someone who many people think of as a living legend and one of the most important people in video game industry.
As for the question, it's on the subject of perspective. I wonder, having made legendary games that used both types of perspective, which one do you prefer? Isometric or first/third person? Which one conveys atmosphere better in your opinion? In short, I'm interested about your general thoughts on perspective.
Tim, I just wanted to let you know that I just watched the video of you and Leonard playing Fallout (1) last night. While it's true that there are many people out there doing that sort of thing (playing a video game to/with an audience) and that they may have been doing it longer or "better" - don't discount yourselves or your experience!! I think, at least for myself, part of the appeal of watching/listening to folks playing a video game is to get an idea of another person's view or perspective. It was very very fun to listen to you and Leonard make quips about people emailing asking for more rats. That's not exactly the type of thing I'd get from listening to any old yahoo play a game!
I'm in the fourth year of my PhD and also feel that "do I really want to do this" to my core. Mine is clinical psychology, so very different disciplines, but I think all PhD students have the same shared cultural experience of doubting the path. Glad you found something so great for yourself! I am about the age my mom was when she died, that's a weird and rough time, in my experience. Looking forward to hearing more about your experiences with these games that were such a huge formative part of my youth!
truly speaks to your programming skills that your code works after all these years you are really PRO grammer
I really like you telling these stories and processes. Like your explanations of how you do things, only enrich the stories you tell on this channel. It's like they unintentionally compliment each other. For this alone it's really hard for me not to think of you as a teacher figure just trying to help us understand parts of the industry that could be misconstrued or there's a part that people just don't out right understand that you want to touch on and the personal stories are there to help express the importance of what you talk about. Not only that, but the stories alone are entertaining, and i even find some knowledge in them, even if it is just a goofy ramble that you just wanted to release out in the world. Long comment short, i love what you're doing on this channel, and i only hope to see more, learn more, and hear more about what you learned and experienced.
thank god youtube put you in my feed.
keep telling stories, there's much to learn.
I love these vids! Since you raised the issue here, i wanted to ask: on a practical level, whats the difference in the process between story writing for a book and story telling for a game?
I'm really interested in the engines that you developed for your games, is there any chance for you to make a video about them, from an architectural and technical standpoint ? It always blows my mind when i hear the stories about the software development in the early days of videogames ! Loving the videos, you are such an inspiration for me !
Hello Tim. I am not very good at writing myself but I wanted to thank you for the joy you have given me in my life. I am around your age and my fondest memories is playing the bards tale series on the c64. When I started getting into pc gaming during college one of the first games I ever purchased was believe it or not rags to riches! And by the way that was a hard game. I also purchased and played wasteland when it came out and I can say I wish I could enjoy a game now they way I did that one. Anyways, I think all fans of fallout owe you a debt of gratitude for your role in its inception. Thank you Tim
Just discovered your channel a few days ago and I've never subscribed so fast.
Thank you for doing this! Please don't feel like you owe us anything. We just like listening to ya'
I was introduced to Fallout through a PC Gamer magazine CD, which included a demo version.
At about 10 years old it helped me learn english - it was among the first games i played where you actually had to understand what the characters were saying.
Fell in love with it - you actually got to pick a side between metal armor gang and leather armor gang.
You couldn't create a custom character so I loved leveling up, though i think the most you could get was level 3 if you spammed doctor skill, first aid and killing everyone.
Also loved the little easter egg where you got the "this game is awesome" text if you interacted with the PC on a counter.
A few years later I randomly found a Fallout and Fallout 2 bundle in a DVD box in a small games store - picked it up immediately.
This is a gem just found about this channel!
I'm an aspiring game developer. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience! I am soaking up every video!
So cool getting to hear directly from the Father of Fallout on a regular basis!
Thanks for the F.A.Q. I would certainly buy and read that book. Your stories are absolutely fascinating! I hope you keep making games for many years in the future!
ps: More Arcanum stories please 😊
I appreciate you and your efforts. Old-head game devs making TH-cam channels just to talk shop are great. You and Sandy Petersen are on the same level.
I also really like your approach for tucking platform specific code into its own library.
The best strategems are the ones that feel intuitive yet people often don't think of it until its too late.
Have you thought about compiling all your architectural philosophy and strategies?
I think a very common problem that persists despite the great leaps in technology is... people with passion but no experience write code that chokes themselves... resulting in less productivity and worse performance. It often feels like the things taught to young engineers haven't really grown since SOLID and "time/space complexity." Even though veterans know that those basics are the tip of the iceberg to being successful.
I hope you realize how much this effort means to the fans. Thank you, Tim.
I do like story time with "uncle" Cain, these are very informative and so cozy 😊
I'm a young small time indie dev and I hope I can absorb 50% of the knowledge you've gained through experience. I just played fallout 1 for the first time and found this channel by sheer coincidence and I wanted to say thank you.
I am sure this is a stupid question but can we see this recompiled Arcanum also congrats of the 15k and to here's to a 15k more
Theres big fan projects on almost all the Fallout games if people are interested in stuff like remakes
Game preservation is something I worry a lot and that's why I love open source engine reimplementations. Knowing the code of an old game could be recompiled makes me happy and sad at the same time, and makes me wish companies did not hoard rights so that at least the engine (leaving assets aside) could be freely available for community to maintain and improve.
Thank you for your work Tim, years of enjoyment :)
So i was 14 when fallout was released, Ive played it multiple times since then, but I remember going out to meet my other teenage friends and discussing where the we could find the water chip :) Fallout for me was not only a very fine pastime, it influenced my taste in music and books , it made me pick up RPGs because I got to relive the emotions I got when I first played it. Thanks to those hobbies I got to meet people that I get to call my friends to this day. Thank you !
One day I was walking down the street with a friend and we were discussing Fallout. A stranger approached us, who apparently was not far behind our backs. And he said “Excuse me for interfering in your conversation, but Fallout is one of my favorite games, it’s something” We replied “Oh, yes" ;-)
I think you underestimate how much we would enjoy watching you stumble around in your old games! 🙂
Appreciated the principled stances here, Tim. You're definitely on the tiny wholesome island in the sea of TH-cam!
Hey Tim! I grew up playing video games made by you or people from your era, sadly back in the day we didn't the internet so i have no idea about how things were for game designers/programmers back in the day.
Could you take a trip down memory lane and tell us how it was back in the day? How did someone end up making games? How did an idea get approved and developed? What were the average budgets, production times, salaries, How were publishers, deeadlines etc.
It would be nice to have an idea of how it was and how the games i grew up playing came to be
Tim your games changed my life. I love you man. I hope one day you'll lead another fallout project.
Can't wait to hear more stories!
Thanks for having patience with us Tim, we're just so excited to have someone from the industry to actually communicate with fans, that's why you're getting so overwhelmed.
Congrats on 15k!
First time I’ve heard anything about an Outer Worlds 2, and it’s awesome to hear, especially from this channel of all things
Tim, I feel like I need to say this because the coincidence is incredible. I'm 24 y.o. PhD student seriously considering leaving the course and entering the games industry, following the death of my grandmother this year - it's completely changed my perspective in a way very similar to how you describe.
I'm getting all the same feedback from my peers regarding throwing away an opportunity, and of course I find that very dissuasive. However, you have been a great source of inspiration in the past few months, when times have been so difficult for me. I hope you read this comment because I want you to know that your experiences and your channel are giving me great comfort and reassurance to follow a dream of mine.
Cheers! -James
Good luck, James. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you enjoy it.
I love how your programmer problem-solving efficiency is applying to TH-cam.
Thanks for this Tim! Just wondering with the tabletop side of RPGs, would you consider using the Modiphius made Fallout RPG? How would you homebrew it, what kind of overarching story would you have and what are some side quests/pre-empting you would do?
Knowing Arcanum source still exists.
Man, knowing that at any time there would be a possibility for someone to redo the engine to work well with modern systems and under modern graphics APIs and yet it can't happen is quite depressing.
Hey Tim, I've just discovered your channel and had to watch this before I asked. What do you think about Once Lost Games and the parting Elder Scrolls crew? It's hard to comment as an outsider but I imagine your leadership qualities would be a huge asset in a group like that. Have they ever reached out to you or have you ever been in touch with them to team up on a project? Thanks and sorry if you have answered elsewhere. As a huge fan of both Fallout and the lore behind the Elder Scrolls I can't think of anything better than all the real people behind these wonderful worlds working together to put the triple A industry back in it's place! ;D
This might be a bit of a strange question, but was the Enclave you envisioned going to be moraly ambiguous old world survivors that want to reach the stars through questionable experiments, or did you intend for them to be as genocidal as they came out in the end?
I'd love to hear more stories about how your TTRPG games influenced your game design
I think the reason people are asking you to discuss/review/rank other games is part of the parasocial aspect of TH-cam, they aren't necessarily looking for a competent and thorough evaluation, they just want to hear your opinion on things they like/dislike because they respect you and like your work and want to feel a slightly more personal connection to you over things they love.
It’s good your sharing all your knowledge and wisdom, even if you might not want to call it that lol, too many older people pass without imparting that knowledge though and it’s such a shame.