Fallout: London with Daniel Morrison Neil and Jordan Albon
Jan 15, 2025
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Daniel Morrison Neil, who led music composition and voice acting, and Jordan Albon, the lead 3D artist for Fallout: London, dive into their ambitious mod project. They discuss the transformation of Fallout 4 into a post-apocalyptic London, revealing unique British aesthetics and horror influences. The duo shares insights on the challenges of development, from creative collaboration to distribution hurdles, and the importance of community feedback. Their experiences illustrate the passion behind this extensive indie gaming venture.
Fallout: London showcases the potential of indie teams to create richly detailed open-world RPGs despite limited resources and volunteer efforts.
The project radiates a unique British aesthetic while preserving the classic Fallout feel, showcasing the effective blend of creativity and cultural authenticity.
With aspirations to evolve into a formal game studio, the team is exploring new technologies to create engaging original titles post-mod development.
Deep dives
Overview of Fallout London Mod
Fallout London is a comprehensive total conversion mod created by Team Fallon, set in a post-apocalyptic version of London within the Fallout 4 universe. The project has been developed over five years and features all-new storylines, soundtracks, and 3D assets, retaining the quintessential feel of the Fallout series while infusing a unique British twist. The mod includes a diverse array of characters and quests, immersing players in an environment that reflects the melancholic charm of London. This ambitious endeavor highlights the potential of indie teams to create expansive open-world RPG experiences despite being volunteer-driven.
Team Dynamics and Structure
The team behind Fallout London comprises hobbyists with varied levels of experience, allowing a unique blend of creativity and collaboration. The project's structure has evolved over time, adapting to changes and challenges while fostering a spirit of volunteerism among its members. Leaders were established from within the ranks based on capability, allowing for effective management of different departments, such as audio, 3D art, and dialogue editing. This flexible structure has enabled the team to progress towards deadlines despite balancing their game development efforts with day jobs.
Art Direction and Cultural Influences
The art direction for Fallout London seeks to maintain the familiar aesthetic of the Bethesda Fallout games while embedding iconic elements of British culture. Art assets were developed to reflect the setting of London through a unique visual style that merges the recognizable features of the city with the Fallout universe's atom-punk aesthetic. The team focused on crafting 3D models, such as vehicles, that resonate culturally while ensuring they fit seamlessly within the game. This careful balance between creativity and authenticity helped shape the mod's identity while appealing to both Fallout fans and new audiences.
Voice Acting and Audio Design
The mod features around 90,000 lines of dialogue, highlighting a significant endeavor in voice acting and audio design. Notable voice actors contributed their talents, lending professionalism and depth to character interactions within the game. The soundscape was carefully curated to enhance the atmosphere, with original compositions drawing on inspirations from British music history while incorporating elements that resonate with the Fallout series' aesthetic. This commitment to high-quality audio reinforces the immersive experience of navigating a reimagined London in a post-apocalyptic setting.
Future Aspirations and Development Plans
The success of Fallout London has paved the way for the team to transition into a formal game development studio, with aspirations to create original titles that build on their experiences. The team is considering using either Unity or Unreal Engine for future projects, prioritizing smaller-scale games to refine their skills and foster innovative collaboration. They aim to learn from their past efforts while maintaining clear communication to build a robust foundation for their upcoming ventures. Ultimately, the team's goal is to create engaging and unique games that resonate with both existing fans and new audiences.
Fallout: London is a 2024 total conversion mod developed by Team FOLON. The mod is based on Fallout 4 by Bethesda Softworks and takes place in a post-apocalyptic rendition of London. The project is remarkable for its ambition and scope, with the small indie team delivering a fully-realized open world RPG.
Daniel Morrison Neil led music composition, audio design, and the voice acting department for the project. Jordan Albon was the lead 3D artist and the build master in charge of version control. They join the show with Joe Nash to talk about Fallout: London and its development.
Joe Nash is a developer, educator, and award-winning community builder, who has worked at companies including GitHub, Twilio, Unity, and PayPal. Joe got his start in software development by creating mods and running servers for Garry’s Mod, and game development remains his favorite way to experience and explore new technologies and concepts.
