History VideoGame / FalloutVanBuren

'''''Fallout: Van Buren''''' was the original ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. Note that its name would have been "Fallout 3", and "Van Buren" was merely its development codename. It was in full 3D, but utilized a top-down perspective much like the old games. It was canceled shortly before Creator/{{Interplay|Entertainment}} went under in 2003 and closed Creator/{{Black Isle|Studios}}, even though it was around 85% done. Backlash ensued, and while some were pacified when Creator/{{Bethesda}} released ''Fallout 3'' five years later, others view Van Buren as the real and superior version of ''Fallout 3'' and are still venomously bitter about its cancellation. Despite the game being canceled, some elements of its story have been [[BroadStrokes adapted or directly incorporated]] into the ''Fallout'' canon.

* TheAtoner: You would've chosen whether to be an actual criminal, and in [[CrapsackWorld this world]] that's saying something. If you'd been good oriented, you most likely would have been this.

* CardboardPrison: Sure, the automated prison sends out robots to capture you back, but thanks to an in-universe case of ArtificialStupidity they would always throw you back into your old cell. You know, the one that continues to have a man-sized hole in the wall.

* InspectorJavert: The robots trying to take you back to prison. For all they know, you ''are'' a criminal. And there's a 50% chance you are for sure.

* ThePlague: The New Plague of which you were an unwitting carrier, as a part of Victor's plan to activate B.O.M.B.-001. You would first discover this fact late in the story, as people in the settlements you have visited start dying left and right. With a high enough intelligence and science skill, you would have been able to synthesize a cure too.

* TokenEvilTeammate: The Hanged Man, a ChaoticEvil ImplacableMan who you'd find [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin hanging on the end of a rope]], but still alive. He turns out to be an infamous criminal whom people have tried to kill numerous times. As a party member he would be appropriately MadeOfIron, but his company would cause people to despise you almost universally.
* TalkingTheMonsterToDeath: It would have been possible to convince Victor to abandon his plan. But since he was the most brilliant mind to ever come out of the NCR, you would need at least 10 in intelligence and a high science skill to do so. Talking his partners in crime into betraying him, however, would not be quite as hard.
* YouAreTooLate: After causing Victor's defeat, you would move on to deactivate B.O.M.B.-001, only to make a grim discovery. While you would have able to call off the majority of the nuclear bombardment, depending on your repair skill, some nukes could not be recalled, and you would have been left with the options to blow up B.O.M.B.-001, performing a HeroicSacrifice in the process, or choose which settlements that should be struck by the attack. In choosing the latter, you would have left B.O.M.B.-001 in an escape pod, and "I Don't Want To Set The World on Fire" would started playing while nuclear blasts dotted the earth's surface.

'''Fallout: Van Buren''' was the original ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. Note that its name would have been "Fallout 3", and "Van Buren" was merely its development codename. It was in full 3D, but with a top-down perspective much like the old games. It was canceled shortly before Creator/{{Interplay|Entertainment}} went under in 2003 and closed Creator/{{Black Isle|Studios}}, even though it was around 85% done. Backlash ensued, and while some were pacified when Creator/{{Bethesda}} released ''Fallout 3'' five years later, others view Van Buren as the real and superior version of ''Fallout 3'' and are still venomously bitter about its cancellation. Despite the game being canceled, some elements of its story have been [[BroadStrokes adapted or directly incorporated]] into the ''Fallout'' canon.

* TokenEvilTeammate: The Hanged Man, an AlwaysChaoticEvil ImplacableMan who you'd find [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin hanging on the end of a rope]], but still alive. He turns out to be an infamous criminal whom people have tried to kill numerous times. As a party member he would be appropriately MadeOfIron, but his company would cause people to despise you almost universally.

'''Fallout: Van Buren''' was the original ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. Note that its name would have been "Fallout 3", and "Van Buren" was merely its development codename. It was in full 3D, but with a top-down perspective much like the old games. It was canceled shortly before Creator/{{Interplay|Entertainment}} went under in 2003 and closed Creator/{{Black Isle|Studios}}, even though it was around 85% done. InternetBacklash ensued, and while some were pacified when Creator/{{Bethesda}} released ''Fallout 3'' five years later, others view Van Buren as the real and superior version of ''Fallout 3'' and are still venomously bitter about its cancellation. Despite the game being canceled, some elements of its story have been [[BroadStrokes adapted or directly incorporated]] into the ''Fallout'' canon.

''Fallout: Van Buren'' was the original ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. Note that its name would have been "Fallout 3", and "Van Buren" was merely its development codename. It was in full 3D, but with a top-down perspective much like the old games. It was canceled shortly before Creator/{{Interplay|Entertainment}} went under in 2003 and closed Creator/{{Black Isle|Studios}}, even though it was around 85% done. InternetBacklash ensued, and while some were pacified when Creator/{{Bethesda}} released ''Fallout 3'' five years later, others view Van Buren as the real and superior version of ''Fallout 3'' and are still venomously bitter about its cancellation. Despite the game being canceled, some elements of its story have been [[BroadStrokes adapted or directly incorporated]] into the ''Fallout'' canon.

''Fallout: Van Buren'' was the original ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. Note that its name would have been "Fallout 3," and only its development codename was "Van Buren." It was in full 3D, but with a topdown perspective much like the old games. It was canceled shortly before Creator/{{Interplay|Entertainment}} went under in 2003 and closed Creator/{{Black Isle|Studios}}, even though it was around 85% done. InternetBacklash ensued, and while some were pacified when Creator/{{Bethesda}} released ''Fallout 3'' five years later, others view Van Buren as the real and superior version of ''Fallout 3'' and are still venomously bitter about its cancellation. Despite the game being canceled, some elements of its story have been [[BroadStrokes adapted or directly incorporated into the Fallout canon]].

Prison may not be [[RunningGag an okay place to live]], but Tibbets Facility, cell number [[MythologyGag thirteen]] is home. The technology dates back to before the great war, and plenty of robots are there to look after you. You've been there so long you can hardly remember why; perhaps you were guilty of whatever crime they've convicted you of, or perhaps not, but it doesn't matter either way. At least you're alive, and outside, things aren't safe.

Then, one day, you wake up to find things have changed. Not only are you in a completely different prison, but there's a rather large hole in the wall, which you proceed to walk out of. Back in Post-Apocalyptic Arizona, you find yourself besieged by robots wanting to take you back to your cell, strange diseases infecting select towns, a war between the NCR and Brotherhood of Steel, a strange slaver army called ''Caesar's Legion'' that seems obsessed with ancient Rome, led by a maniac who calls himself Caesar, and a menacing figure named Doctor Victor Presper who wishes to instigate another nuclear holocaust on the world.

''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', which takes place in one of the areas this game would have covered, has a completely original story, but draws on the enormous amount of design done for Van Buren and select elements (such as Caesar's Legion and The Hanged Man, now The Burned Man) do appear in the game. It helps that many of the same people worked on both games.

* BroadStrokes: It's implied the events of this game ''did'' end up happening in some form or another, but the extent to which will likely never be revealed. Most of the game's concepts went into VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas, including several characters, but none of them directly mention the events of this game.

** [[TearJerker So he never found her..]]
* TheEmpire: The Brotherhood of Steel has transformed from an isolationist but peaceful faction in a group of fascists that attack anyone they consider to be 'unworthy' of having advance technology.

* ShroudedInMyth: By the time of VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas, the events of the game have become this, like all the other games before it.

And in case you were wondering: The game had absolutely nothing to do with USA's 8th president, UsefulNotes/MartinVanBuren. Interplay just code named projects in development after American presidents out of ease. Nor does this have anything to do with the obscure [[VanBeurenStudios Van Beuren Cartoon Studio.]]

* CardBoardPrison: Sure, the automated prison sends out robots to capture you back, but thanks to an in-universe case of ArtificialStupidity they would always throw you back into your old cell. You know, the one that continues to have a man-sized hole in the wall.

* TokenEvilTeammate: The Hanged Man, an AlwaysChaoticEvil ImplacableMan who Caesar's Legion tried to execute via RasputinianDeath. They failed. If you talked to Mordecai in New Canaan, you'd find out he was [[spoiler:Joshua Graham, Caesar's second in command. According to New Vegas, he was punished for failing the first battle of Hoover Dam.]]
** [[VillainDecay Villain Softening]]: [[VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas Three months later]], he's cooled down a bit, [[spoiler:due to the destruction of New Canaan and a newfound religious fervor.]]

''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', which takes place in one of the areas this game would have covered, has a completely original story, but draws on the enormous amount of design done for Van Buren and select elements (such as Caesar's Legion and The Hanged Man, now The Burned Man) do appear in the game.

''Fallout: Van Buren'' was the original ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. Note that its name would have been "Fallout 3," and only its development codename was "Van Buren." It was in full 3D, but with a topdown perspective much like the old games. It was canceled when Creator/{{Interplay|Entertainment}} went under in 2003 and closed Creator/{{Black Isle|Studios}}, even though it was around 85% done. InternetBacklash ensued, and while some were pacified when Creator/{{Bethesda}} released ''Fallout 3'' five years later, others view Van Buren as the real and superior version of ''Fallout 3'' and are still venomously bitter about its cancellation. Despite the game being canceled, some elements of its story have been [[BroadStrokes adapted or directly incorporated into the Fallout canon]].

* LostColony: The town at Hoover Dam is this to NCR.

* TheManTheyCouldntHang: The Hanged Man, who is still very much alive, and a recruitable companion.

* TheFederation: The New California Republic

* TalkingTheMonsterToDeath: It would have been possible to convince Victor to abandon his plan. But since he was the most brilliant mind to ever come out of the NCR, you would need at least 10 in intelligence and a high science skill to do so. Talking his partners in crime into betraying him, however, would not be quite as hard.

''Fallout: Van Buren'' was the original ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. Note that its name would have been "Fallout 3," and only its development codename was "Van Buren." It was in full 3D, but with a topdown perspective much like the old games. It was canceled when Creator/{{Interplay|Entertainment}} went under in 2003 and closed Creator/{{Black Isle|Studios}}, even though it was around 85% done. InternetBacklash ensued, and while some were pacified when Creator/{{Bethesda}} released ''Fallout 3'' five years later, others view Van Buren as the real and superior version of ''Fallout 3'' and are still venomously bitter about its cancellation. Despite the game being canceled, it is still canon, [[BroadStrokes to a degree]].

And in case you were wondering: The game had absolutely nothing to do with USA's 8th president, UsefulNotes/MartinVanBuren. Interplay just code named projects in development after American presidents out of ease.

A group of fans have pooled together to recreate Van Buren. The project is still in its early stages, but some screenshots are available. Their[[http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?forums/van-buren-a-fallout-adventure.86/ forum can be found here]].

And in case you were wondering: The game had absolutely nothing to do with USA's 8th president, MartinVanBuren. Interplay just code named projects in development after American presidents out of ease.

''Fallout: Van Buren'' was the original ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. Note that its name would have been "Fallout 3," and only its development codename was "Van Buren." It was in full 3D, but with a topdown perspective much like the old games. It was canceled when Interplay went under in 2003 and closed Black Isle, even though it was around 85% done. InternetBacklash ensued, and while some were pacified when {{Bethesda}} released ''Fallout 3'' five years later, others view Van Buren as the real and superior version of ''Fallout 3'' and are still venomously bitter about its cancellation. Despite the game being canceled, it is still canon, [[BroadStrokes to a degree]].

** In what game were they peaceful? The second description is actually their SOP, except for new thinking in the leadership of the Capital Wasteland chapter.... And depending on the ending you chose for the Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel.

Prison [[may not be [[RunningGag] an okay place to live]], but Tibbets Facility, cell number [[MythologyGag thirteen]] is home. The technology dates back to before the great war, and plenty of robots are there to look after you. You've been there so long you can hardly remember why; perhaps you were guilty of whatever crime they've convicted you of, or perhaps not, but it doesn't matter either way. At least you're alive, and outside, things aren't safe.

Prisons aren't usually the best places to live, but for you, Tibbets Facility, cell number [[MythologyGag thirteen]] is home. The technology dates back to before the great war, and plenty of robots are there to look after you. You've been there so long you can hardly remember why; perhaps you were guilty of whatever crime they've convicted you of, or perhaps not, but it doesn't matter either way. At least you're alive, and outside, things aren't safe.

* YouAreTooLate: After causing Victor's defeat, you would move on to deactivate B.O.M.B.-001, only to make a grim discovery. While you would have able to call of the majority of the nuclear bombardment, depending on your repair skill, some nukes could not be recalled, and you would have been left with the options to blow up B.O.M.B.-001, performing a HeroicSacrifice in the process, or choose which settlements that should be struck by the attack. In choosing the latter, you would have left B.O.M.B.-001 in an escape pod, and "I Don't Want To Set The World on Fire" would started playing while nuclear blasts dotted the earth's surface.

* YouAreTooLate: After you kill Victor, you manage to deactivate B.O.M.B.-001... somewhat. While a good portion of the nukes can be recalled, depending on your repair skill, quite a few can not, and you are left with the options to blow up B.O.M.B.-001, performing a HeroicSacrifice in the process, or choose which settlements that should be struck by the attack. As you leave B.O.M.B.-001 in an escape pod, "I Don't Want To Set The World on Fire" starts playing while nuclear blasts are seen dotting the earth's surface.

* TheEmpire: The Brotherhood of Steel has transformed from an isolationist but peaceful faction in a group of fascists that attack anyone they consider to be 'unworthy' of having advance technology.

''Fallout: Van Buren'' was the original ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. Note that its name would have been "Fallout 3," and only its development codename was "Van Buren." It was in full 3D, but with a topdown perspective much like the old games. It was canceled when Interplay went under in 2003 and closed Black Isle, even though it was around 85% done. InternetBacklash ensued, and while some were pacified when {{Bethesda}} released ''Fallout 3'' five years later, other views Van Buren as the real and superior version of ''Fallout 3'' and are still venomously bitter about its cancellation. Despite the game being canceled, it is still canon, [[BroadStrokes to a degree]].