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Fallout 3 Gets Leaked, Goes Gold
Fallout 3 is due to be released in a few weeks, and Bethesda recently announced that all versions of the game have gone gold. They provided the systems specs for the PC release as well. Unfortunately for them, the Xbox 360 version was leaked onto torrent sites almost three weeks early. Bethesda is "looking into" how the game was distributed. In preparation for the launch, game director Todd Howard spoke at length with Gamasutra about the scope of the project, and the differences from their previous games, such as Oblivion. CrispyGamer recently ran a three-part series detailing their four hours of hands-on time with the game. We've previously looked at some gameplay videos for Fallout 3, and discussed the fact that no mod tools will ship with the game.
Going with Bethesda? Bethesda BOUGHT the Fallout franchise from Interplay (which has gone down the shitter near 100%) 3-4 years ago. In fact, the IP Interplay is using for the Fallout MMO (that they are supposedly working on) had to be licensed from Bethesda to use after the sale of said IP.
Ready means they are ready for the packaging and distribution process. When something goes GOLD doesn't mean, it's ready to be on the shelf the next day. It means it is ready to duplicate CDs, make packaging (luckily the packaging aspect may have a bit of lead time), send to distributors and retailers. Also when GOLD, any online distributing (which may not be available for F3) deals can be finalized. Even if online distribution was an option, there is no way they would break the release date online and step on the retail outlets toes, as most sales still come from brick and mortar locations (or locations that ship physical product to your door).
The leaked 360 version isn't retail, but is a review copy. The interwebs have given a lot of flack to SEED4ME about their releases.
Interplay WAS working on a Fallout 3 back in 2003. Then the project was canceled and the entire Black Isle Studio team was laid off. In addition, most of those employees had to legally fight to get their pay that they were owed. Most employees didn't get a settlement until a few years later. Interplay went bankrupt (chapter 7 style). Basically, Herver Caen (the CEO), since he took over the company in the early 2000 (do I have that right) basically took the company for a Titanic like ride and pretty much gutted it for anything worthwhile. The Fallout franchise sale was a probably a way to liquid assets it had to cover legal and back-pay costs they were racking up. While Beth may not make the best F3 game in the world, honestly, could have been a lot of worse companies to give it to (I'm sure a few better ones could have been thought, also).
bethesda have said the only drm will b something small, like oblivions, i.e. a cd in the drive check
"The space elevator will be built about 50 years after everyone stops laughing." - Arthur C. Clarke ~1980
Diablo was a Nethack clone (or at least a rogue-alike), not a Gauntlet clone. This was more obvious in the frst Diablo where everything moved at the same speed. D1 was turn-based in early development, really just Nethack with graphics, but at some point the devs saw the light. (Then the devs went on to found Flagship Studios and become the laughing stock of the industry, but that's a different story.)
Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
No, you have to open the case. There are add-ons like the Xeno Top Gear that insure you only have to open the case once, but open it you must to flash the firmware on the 360.
Contrary to what you're being told, Microsoft DOES ban consoles with modded firmware on Xbox LIVE. Not all consoles all of the time (certain older consoles are unblockable). However, my understanding is they'll kill your Xbox Live Gold account (cancel it with no refund), so you'll want to keep the modded hardware off XBOX Live. This means, as a practical measure, many people will need 2 360s and if you want to play games online, you're probably going to have to buy them.
BTW, The are reasons for banning other than piracy. Some people use firmware hacks to cheat in online games, notably Halo 3.