WARNING: All Fallout 3 Players Must Read - Bug with the Save System

Apparently there is a bug in the save system for Fallout 3. Gameplayer has identified the bug and written this article which reveals how players of the game can avoid getting caught out by it. Don't worry, there are no spoilers.

[SlappingOysters]

I wonder why they did that?

Hopefully they will change that in a patch or something.

[riddlesticks]

i don't get it... does this mean that when i complete the main quest, there is nothing more i can do? i can't go about (like in oblivion) and do side quests etc...?

[solidt12]

I plan on making a new save file every hour or so.

[Twizlex]

That doesn't sound like a bug at all. It sounds like if you don't want the game to end, don't do the last quest. How is that a bug with the save system?

[Pain]

insted u patch it and ill play LBP till then...K?

[SlappingOysters]

that's what it means mate

[blu3print]

sound like a bug to me, sounds like that it is how it was designed

[Steve519]

no, this is not a bug, this is a title meant to get hits. Its the way the game is made, duh, you beat the game and its over, how is that a bug??

[SlappingOysters]

I guess they are reporting it as a flaw in the game. As in a bug... like A.I getting stuck on an object.

I would call it a flaw rather than a bug, either way I am thankfull for the tip as I get my hands on the game in about 24hrs - woot!!

[Diamondwolf]

Definately trying to garnish hits on the site. End of the month maybe?

most RPGs (especially the Final Fantasy Series) have always had the "do all your sidequests and whatever else before you enter that area" and once you enter, you have no access back out to do anything but beat the game.

That's how it works with most of them. Veteran RPG'ers should always know to keep multiple saves (although that bit me in the ass on Uncharted trophies bleh)

[SlappingOysters]

but given that a lot of non-veteran RPGers will play this game, they should have provided a warning or something. Image how bummed you would be if you didn't save the bloody game corectly,

As a developer they cannot just assume you played RPGs for 15 years. Not to mention that the open-world RPG is kind new, the idea to go and explore more is even more apparent

[No Way]

I think they are making a deal of it because of Oblivion. In Oblivion after you beat the main quest, the game didn't end..

[Diamondwolf]

I see what you two are saying. I play a lot of RPGs and once you've gotten a lot of experience in something, it's hard to remember what it was like when you didn't.

[Silly Mammo]

Uh, Thanks?

I'll remember this handy tip 4 months from now when I'm finishing the game.

[himdeel]

...I think anyone who truly wants to experience all the game has to offer is going to take a leisurely stroll through the game and not sprint through it. However it seems like those wanting to spring through the game will still end up having a lot to do with each run through.

[EvilCackle]

I'd be worried if I didn't max out on save slots on every game I play, compulsive as I am.

[Bengoshi-San]

Does no one hire game testers anymore?

[jonfitt]

As others have said. It's just the way the game was designed.
A warning would be nice, but not expected.

As far as I recall way back to Baldur's Gate there was a point of no return where there was no going back to the side quests. Mass Effect also had the same thing.

You can no more moan about that than moaning that most Xbox360 games don't have a save anywhere feature, and rely on checkpoints.

[Nasty]

Have to agree with Diamondwolf. This isn't a bug, and anyone who's played single player RPG's should know to save and save often.

This is like a public announcement for people who've never had to save a game before.

[LONEWOLF231]

Hmmmm......i might as well do all the exploring and completing all the side quests before jumping into the main missions.

[8BitSoul]

This is a standard "flaw" if you will, in RPG's. When you get to the final area of the game, there's no turning back.

I think game developers are trying to create a similar feeling as the "point of no return" peak that are in most hollywood movies. You're supposed to get the feeling that it's too late to turn around and go back.

This can ruin the game for some (considering that that the veteran RPG gamers may want to complete all the sidequests). Just make sure you have multiple saves, and this shouldn't be a problem...

[pain777pas]

We've all played oblivion and know to save is the key to making the best choices in games and seeing most things a game has to offer.

[UltimaEnder]

This story is NOT TRUE, the game automatically saves a new save for you (right before you go into the final dungeon), thus making sure this exact thing never happens! After you beat the game it does kick you to the main menu but not before it saves the game, this guy is a retard.

Next time GamePlayer needs to check their sources, at least with the 360 version!

What a sad thing GP is doing, really sad.....even if what they were saying WAS true it's not a
bug.....

[SlappingOysters]

that it does autosave but once you enter the final room, which you cannot get out of. So you are forced to stay in that room or start again if you have no second save. Which is all the article is pointing out to people so they do not get sprung.

geez!

[tatotiburon]

with both versions?? or just the crappy PS3 version?

[snoopgg]

the pc version is fine!!!! HA ha

[EvilCackle]

WARNING: Game ends!

[MK_Red]

WTF!? This is not a bug. This is a design choice. Don't like it? Save before final boss. Sheesh.

[FBl]

I assume they'll be recalling all Xbox 360 versions?

[Rhoic]

No, I assume Bethesda will discontinue developing games on the PS3, as it is a hassle and they can get an equally or better quality experience on the 360 and PC. Which has already been proven. :x

[Citizen Cook]

Buy 360's!

[SlappingOysters]

The guy who wrote this article also did the Fable II review, and the review was done on X360. So seems like you're wrong.

[jmare]

Wow, what a concept. When you beat the game, it ends. I really didn't see that one coming. So Bethesda wised up and made a point of no return. Good! Playing after you have beaten the main quest is retarded because it breaks the game. After the main quest in Oblivion, no one ever mentions the sh1t that had happened. Again, this is not a bug but a common RPG design choice.

[EvilCackle]

Being able to play after the credits really is the exception rather than the rule. You can count games (or, rather, series') that let you do it on one hand.

[djroberts]

Not a bug just poor design.

[jmare]

That's like saying every RPG is poorly designed. If there is no warning then that is an oversight they should correct, but if it does warn then the author should pay attention.

[FailStation3]

this isn't a bug. dumb, yes. but not a bug.

[0verdrive]

agreed. the title is pretty misleadings. to call "finishing the game" a bug is pretty stupid in my opinion. sure it would have been nice to be able to roam, but bug? i dont think so.

[t_tocs]

The game is supposed to end. This isn't like Oblivion where you continue after all is said and done. The game ends, so you need to finish everything before you get to that point.

[Honolulu]

You do know that in the original Fallout and Fallout 2 you had the choice to continue the game even after you had done the main quest?

[Serjikal_Strike]

OK

[Figboy]

if it's the LAST AREA at the end of the game, it's designed that way to keep you from breaking the game, or exploiting something within the game.

imagine this:

you've made it to the last boss. you enter the room to fight him. you begin the fight.

during the fight, you use up most of your health packs and other items/weapons.

you exit the room, go back out into the wastes and restock, then enter the final room and rinse and repeat as needed.

no challenge, no skill, simply an exploit.

basically, in the final room/battle of Fallout 3, you take what you have with you, and that's it. it's a final decision, a final room. who's to say that you can't continue with that character after the final story beat and move on.

in either case, if you didn't want to beat the game before you explored everything, then WHY go on that last quest in the first place??

in either case, i always have multiple saves for my games, if anything, to protect against a corrupt save file.

[Si-Pie]

It doesnt bother me as I always save alot in RPGs. On Oblivion I think I had over 1 Thousand saves haha.

[FailStation3]

this just in:

THIS GAME RULES!!! HOLY SH1T!!!!! HAHAH WOW!!!!!! ALL HAIL BETHESDA!!!!!! THEY DID IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!