A couple of days ago we asked you, the readers, to think of some pertinent questions you'd like to see answered pertaining to Bethesda's upcoming 360/PC DLC pack for Fallout 3, Operation Anchorage. Ask and you shall receive. We tracked down Bethesda's DLC Producer Jeff Gardiner, who kindly took time out of his busy schedule to lay down some of the factoids you crave. The DLC goes live January 27th; be sure to monitor our movie and media galleries for the latest assets from Operation Anchorage in the meantime. GSpy Reader: How will you maintain the same level of humor and irony that is prevalent in Fallout [1-3] in a setting not ravaged by time and nuclear fallout?
Jeff Gardiner: Well, being pre-war, Operation: Anchorage has a very unique place in the Fallout lore. You have to remember the state of the country before the bombs dropped. This is an America with very advanced technology, but with the styles and sensibilities of the 1950s and early 1960s. People are totally paranoid about communism, and rightly so. I mean, the Red Chinese have just invaded Alaska! So for us, the irony and humor translate very naturally. We play on that fear, we play on that sort of over-the-top military theme. There are definitely some subtle shades of "Doctor Strangelove" there. But we never went overboard with any overt humor in Fallout 3, and the same is true for Operation: Anchorage. It's subtle, and often dark, and for us, that's really the right tone.
GSpy Reader: From the screenshots of the DLC there appears to be tank-like vehicles. Will we get the chance to utilize stationary or free-roaming vehicles of any type?
Jeff Gardiner: Operation: Anchorage does include a fictional tank as an enemy. The "Screw Tank" will not be usable by the player, however!

GSpy Reader: Will the Operation: Anchorage content be open-ended like in Shivering Isles, or will it be a wholly linear experience akin to not-so-notable downloadable content we've seen from other games?
Jeff Gardiner: Operation: Anchorage is a more linear experience. However, there are decisions to be made within the scope of the content itself. The player has the choice on how to outfit their strike team. They also get to decide how to approach and subdue the Chinese Stronghold, as well as how and if they'll help the Brotherhood Outcasts. Subsequent DLC, The Pitt and Broken Steel, will contain more open-world gameplay.
GSpy Reader: Are there any new creatures, and are they attuned to the frosty environ of Alaska (polar bears for example)? Since this scenario is pre-war, the creatures should not be byproducts of radiation I presume...
Jeff Gardiner: The focus of Operation: Anchorage is a simulated military combat exercise. Hence, it will not feature penguins or polar bears! But no, no new creatures. Some new enemies, but not creatures.