Why did Tim Cain leave Fallout? Learn all there is to know about why the Fallout creator is now working as a consultant on Outer Worlds 2.
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain has revealed the exact reasons that he left the series after the release of the first game. Cain has worked on some of the most iconic RPGs of all time, and his most recent effort came in the form of Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds franchise.
When the original Fallout was first released back in 1997, it was a success beyond anything expected at Interplay. It revived a struggling RPG genre with its strong mechanics and genius atompunk aesthetic. The purchase of the IP from Bethesda sent the franchise into the stratosphere, and now it is one of the most valuable names in the entire gaming industry. Despite this, the original games from Interplay maintain a massive cult following, even if they haven’t aged too well. Many continue to call for Fallout 1 and 2 to be remade, although at this point that looks extremely unlikely, with Bethesda’s priorities elsewhere.
Tim Cain shared his reasons for leaving the Fallout 2 project early on in development in a YouTube video on his personal channel.
It seems to have been a build-up of a variety of issues, with one particular tipping point. First, his reward for the success of Fallout was the potential of more crunch development to meet deadlines for the sequel, as well as more responsibility which he didn’t want. Despite this responsibility, Cain points to an incident in which the decision to outsource the Fallout 2 box art was made without his consent as proof that he was being undermined on the project, even with his role in the success of the original.
The final straw arrived when It came to the studio handing out bonuses. Cain was in charge of the bonuses, so he knew how much to expect. When his money arrived, it had been massively reduced, despite his importance to the studio. In Cain’s words, head of Interplay Brian Fargo told him the reduction would “encourage him to do better next time,” in regard to the development of Fallout 2. That night, Cain went home and drafted his resignation, resulting in an exodus of talent at Interplay. There are plenty of gamers who love the end product regardless of the development drama. Some gamers are even turning Fallout 2 into an FPS, but there’s no doubt that it’s a shame the gaming community never got to see what a Tim Cain-led Fallout 2 looked like.
It’s alwayss sad to hear of tough working conditions in the video game industry. It’s been a well-known issue for a very long time, and only in certain companies does it seem to have improved somewhat. One report detailed that Fallout 76 had a brutal crunch in the lead-up to release, so even the modern Fallout franchise isn’t safe. It seems to be the accepted norm, but hopefully that is something that changes with more time and attention given to the issue. The original Fallout was released In 1997 for PC.
Fallout creator Tim Cain has somewhat retired to focus on his YouTube channel, where he discusses his life in game development, and make smaller, solo projects.
Before he stepped back, he directed The Outer Worlds, which was pitched as “Fallout meets Firefly”, but many have been wondering how involved he will be in its sequel. As it turns out, he’s a consultant.
“There’s stuff they’re trying to do in the sequel that of course I can’t talk about, that I get pulled in on because it’s similar to stuff I’ve done in the past,” Cain said in an interview with Rock Paper Shotgun. “I’m not gonna tell you what to do, but here are the pitfalls. Here are some of the huge, huge chasms that lie in your way that you’re gonna have to wend around.”
Cain isn’t the only tie The Outer Worlds has to Fallout. Obsidian developed the spin-off New Vegas, heralded by many fans as the peak of the series, while the company itself is made up of former Black Isle Studios developers. AKA the team behind Fallout 2, the last isometric game in the series before Bethesda bought the rights and transformed it into a 3D shooter.
Why did Tim Cain leave Fallout? In conclusion, Tim Cain’s departure from the Fallout series was prompted by a culmination of issues, including disagreements over project decisions and reduced bonuses. Despite the challenges, his legacy in the gaming industry persists, with fans cherishing the original Fallout games. Cain has transitioned to a consulting role, offering valuable insights to projects like The Outer Worlds 2. While the gaming industry’s notorious crunch culture remains a concern, Cain’s journey from Fallout to consultancy underscores the evolving landscape of game development and the lasting impact of his contributions.
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