A Pint Sized Problem: Fallout 4
Fallout 4 has always been a fan favorite in the post-apocalyptic RPG genre. With an immersive storyline, engaging characters, and deep gameplay mechanics, it’s no wonder why people love it. However, even games as beloved as Fallout 4 have room for improvement. In this article, we’ll be discussing one of the most common complains about the game: its pint sized problem.
What’s the Pint Sized Problem all About?
The term "pint sized problem" typically refers to the issue of Fallout 4’s characters being extremely small and short. This is especially noticeable during cutscenes, where the characters almost look like toys. This can cause a sense of disconnect and immersion, since the player is used to seeing larger, more normal-sized characters in other games.
In Fallout 4, the problem may not be as noticeable in-game gameplay where the characters are mostly focused, but it’s still an oddity that has raised concerns amongst fans. So, why would the developers of Fallout 4 choose this design choice?
Dev’s Response
Brian Heins, the art lead at Bethesda Game Studios (where Fallout 4 was developed), addresses the issue in an interview:
"Certainly, the scale issues are something that we’ve all noticed, and it’s not going to be something that we’ll talk about a lot. I think sometimes, it’s just something people get hung up on, and not necessarily the most important thing to their overall experience. But I want to assure you that we did [consider] it. We could have easily done [smaller characters] for consistency among all the characters, but I wanted to create a world that was lived in, that was tactile in a way."
So why did the developers choose to have proportionally small characters? It sounds like they were going for a 3D, realistic world. For those who have never done this before, creating a game without a clear direction or inspiration like this can be quite a significant challenge.
Design Elements
So, what inspired the developers to choose this design style? Here are some possible reasons:
H3> Proximity and Intimacy
H3> Pragmatic Design
H3> A Post-Apocalyptic World