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Writing KOTOR 2 and New Vegas | Chris Avellone

Pembridge TV

22,766 views

Today’s guest is Chris Avellone — one of the most influential writers in RPG history, known for his work on classics like Fallout 2, Planescape: Torment, Fallout: New Vegas, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II.

Across all of those games, Avellone became known for creating morally complex worlds and characters that pushed RPG storytelling far beyond simple good-versus-evil narratives.

Follow Chris on X - https://x.com/ChrisAvellone

0:00 Introduction & The Boys
14:56 Fallout: Dead Money and RPG Design
26:06 Why Hollywood Adaptations Fail
35:14 Chris Avellone’s Plans for KOTOR 3
44:42 The Making and Meaning of KOTOR 2
1:05:03 The Fallout TV Show and New Vegas
1:34:36 Kreia, Companions and Writing KOTOR 2
2:13:00 Writing Characters, Storytelling and Community Questions

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20 Comments

@Letterman0412 4 months ago

I like that some part of Chris still has hope he'll get to write KotOR III. I hope that happens too, Chris.

@Farron6 2 weeks ago

Not only is Chris a very talented Writer in his own right, he's always so respectful of the franchises he's entrusted with. His ego never betrays the source material. Many writers in not just in gaming but in any field should really pay attention.

@VulturePilot 4 months ago

Kotor 2 is still my favorite Star Wars story to this day

@VirtuousSaint 1 month ago

best writer ever, all of the games he's touched are in my list of favorites

@KhalilACG 4 months ago

It's crazy that what Chris says about the pitfalls of potentially making his own studio is exactly what happened to James Ohlen in that big piece a few days ago.

@rupertmcbutters1748 4 months ago

It’s sad Chris doesn’t like how Dead Money handles New Vegas’ systems. I always felt like it was a great expression of the game on Hardcore Mode. It’s not a haphazard inclusion of survival horror; it’s an extension of NV’s existing mechanics, putting the Courier’s core competencies to the test by removing everything but their stats.

DM uniquely had me worrying about radiation or making a Caravan Lunch. A Doctor’s Bag is even more valuable when you can’t just buy one (until you can, with the right vending code).

On top of that, it’s ridden with speech checks and consequences for your companions.

Speaking of companions, even their perks excel, being more relevant than ever by being connected to the hazards of the Villa.

@MrGrokthis 2 days ago

How does this have only 22k views with such a stellar guest and great interviewer? Unreal.

@bash-666 2 months ago

Great shit, great to see him still rocking

@Bdragoon96 2 weeks ago

"Not a fan" but wrote one of the best sw stories ever 😂 kotor 2 was soo dark and gritty it was incredible.

@2handedswordenjoyer 2 months ago

43:50 couldn’t agree more. KOTOR II completely changed how I enjoyed star wars and was/is the lens I view it through. sadly the Disney takeover killed almost all my enjoyment for star wars and put it on the backburner

@MsSilentGaming 4 months ago

Alpha Protocol is such an underrated game it's unbelievable.

@thoarnejones6805 4 months ago

I tried to figure out how KOTOR 3 would have resolved everything. And I think the Sith operating as ecologists making dark force nexus’ as an evil parallel to the Ithorians in KOTOR 2 when healing Telos, would be a part of the best way to manage it.

@Blaze77717 2 weeks ago (edited)

I hope his ideas for KOTOR 3 come to fruition one day. But if not, I hope one day once he decides to retire, he releases a full document or something for what KOTOR 3 was supposed to be. Because it kills me only having a few bits and pieces of the story. I've even considered dm'ing him on something and asking if he still had any access to any scripts or drafts or anything lol