Project Proposal: Bunker Studios

[ExoArchivist]

Alright this is an idea I've had, not necessarily for a mod always, but as something I wanted to expand upon since shortly after Fallout 3 came out. It's been rolling around in my brain ever since, slowly growing and developing and now it's time, I think, to share it with the world and see if I can find some folk to help me make it a reality. This might end up being a bit of a long read but please, bear with me.

Abstract/Synopsis: Taking a much more immersive, or at least different, approach to a radio mod in the same vein as WRVR, and inspired by "Agatha's Song".

The Original Idea: There's music a-plenty to listen to just about anywhere you go in the wasteland, so long as you've got a radio. But where is all that music from? That's right, pre-war holotapes. And you know what? No matter how big any radio station's collection is, over the course of a lifetime you're probably going to get bored with all of it from hearing it so much. And you know, what about those poor folk who don't even have a radio station nearby? Or who can't stand pre-war music?

You can't tell me music has died out save for those holotapes, but there's a problem. Musical instruments, well no matter how well you take care of them, if they're in regular use I doubt there's a one that would survive a nuclear war and then 200+ years of hard living. Besides, any musician will tell you, any instrument is a feat of craftsmanship and engineering. Just the strings on a guitar could never be replicated properly if one broke, and break they would.

And it's not like anyone's going to be making new instruments any time soon, either. Those were mostly made by machines before the war anyways and there were few enough then who knew how to make anything by hand the old fashioned way.

But where there's a will, there's a way. Sure it might not sound great, but people will improvise, make their own instruments out of whatever they can. And over the course of 200+ years you can't tell me music won't change, evolve, and split off into its own new genres. Especially because no one with some makeshift cigarbox guitar is going to have any training, know any music theory, or have any idea what they're doing beyond what sounds good and what doesn't.

This kind of music, however, will be relegated to the outskirts of whatever is left of society because of it's complete lack of production value. What, however, if that were to change? What if a pre-War ghoul who had long ago been a master luthier and worked in the music industry built a couple proper instruments, at least as well as he could and then set himself up a nice little hidden away bunker hideout recording studio?

The Actual Premise: Bunker Studios is run out of a hidden bunker by "Tunes" Rollins, the producer and luthier of the radio station which focuses on the real music of the wastes. Most of the music would come from the station's in-house band the New Tunes Nukes, but there would be a fair selection of one-off songs by other musical groups from around the Commonwealth and beyond, each playing a different brand of what music has now become.

What I Can Contribute: I'm a published and award winning author, professional musician and composer, semi-amateur voice actor, and former mod maker starting back in the days of Morrowind and stretching through every TES and Fallout game since, save this one. I already have a fairly extensive backstory for the in-house band, as well as some very early and rough recordings of how their music might sound. In this project I'd take on responsibility for all writing, a lot of the voice acting, all the music, and any and all organization and coordination between team members.

What I Need: One or two experienced modders to do the actual modding work itself, taking all the assets I provide and turning them into a mod which can hopefully be released across all platforms as well as act as consultants and generally put their own touches on the mod, a handful of voice actors to play various characters I can't.

Future Prospects: I see this as just the beginning. I'd like for there to be regular updates adding to the musical library of the station. Being able to (first find) and actually visit the studio and in some ways interact with the characters (such as quests, etc.)

So, sorry that ended up being so long, but is there any interest out there? Even if you can't help out I'd like to know if anyone finds my vision intriguing.

[Froonidger]

im no modder, and cant help, but that sounds awesome!

[ExoArchivist]

im no modder, and cant help, but that sounds awesome!

Glad someone does!

[munkiboi]

This is an interesting idea, but I imagine it would be a lot of work.

Unfortunately I'm not experienced with the GECK, but if you were to upload your work so far it may get others interested as the whole thing hinges on people wanting to listen. :)

That being said, with regards to updates, a website for artists to upload tracks might be interesting...

[ExoArchivist]

This is an interesting idea, but I imagine it would be a lot of work.

Unfortunately I'm not experienced with the GECK, but if you were to upload your work so far it may get others interested as the whole thing hinges on people wanting to listen. :smile:

That being said, with regards to updates, a website for artists to upload tracks might be interesting...

I plan on releasing a demo track or two or three pretty soon, actually.

[wakeboy3]

I am an amateur modder who's just beginning to become accustomed to the new GECK, and I find the prospect of this absolutely incredible. I am astounded that there aren't more people contributing to this project! All I could offer for now is an amateur hand and voice, as I also dabble in voice acting and have recently acquired a new mic.

[ExoArchivist]

Alright! Now there's two of us working on the project and as promised, here's a short little demo of the in-house band, the New Tunes Nukes. I'm still playing with equalization and compression to get that old recording and old radio sound, but here you go.

 

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