Forum:Why the obsession with GECK values?

I see articles describing characters as 'neutral' and 'good' and 'evil' based on karma values found in the GECK editor. Considering that these aren't really supposed to be seen by the player in-game, can we not assume that these are arbitrary and shouldn't be taken at face value? Because characters like Arshur and Wernher seem to me to be pretty open to interpretation and the whole storyline of the Pitt seems emphasise that point. But then on discussion pages I see people putting things like "It doesn't matter what your opinion is the GECK says he/she is evil" The same GECK that gives Stanislaus Braun only 5 intelligence points despite being apparently Vault Tec's no.1 scientist. If a character is given 5 SPECIAL points for everything and a neutral karma value, shouldn't we therefore assume the player should make their own mind up about the character?

--78.146.133.112 18:11, October 30, 2011 (UTC) Anonymous User


 * When we set up articles for characters in game we include everything we know about said character, including their statistics. Where does one get the statistics? The G.E.C.K.. We're simply reiterating what values they have in an entirely objective manner, and truth be told, they have little in-game effect. If you don't want to take them at face value, don't. Hugs [[file:MadeMan2.png|20px|link=User:Scarface11235]] "Say 'ello to my little friend!"


 * Ok I understand the need to be objective when it comes to the articles, but I'm really just voicing my discomfort with people using the GECK values to justify subjective opinion. Not just the GECK either - Lawbringer perk for one thing results in the Point Lookout Tribals dropping fingers, either because whoever was designing them pegged them as an 'evil' faction or because their allegiance to Calvert makes them so. Does having a piece of your brain removed with a scalpel make you an evil person? I just wish people would take the GECK values as GECK values rather than an indication of how we're supposed to view the character. (Apparently there's a human version of Calvert in the game as well which they use for the speech or something and he can only be found using console commands. Again, a development thing rather than a part of the game's storyline hence my problem with this GECK stuff.) I understand that this is just one big whiney rant but reading people put things like "THE GECK SAYS SO THEREFORE IT IS SET IN STONE!" just really depresses me. Anyway, I'm just trying to find out what other people's opinions are on this.

--78.146.133.112 00:32, October 31, 2011 (UTC) ^The same Anonymous User as before


 * One very simple answer for you. Because the GECK values (and not your perceived view of the character based on your own sense of morality, as opposed to the morality that exists in a world ravished by nuclear fallout) is what affects other parts of the game like Karma when you kill them. This is why that very section exists in the infobox in the first place, to place the GECK value in there, hence why the section is called Karma and not something more lore based like alignment. It is also why it doesn't tend to appear in none FO3/FNV character pages either (if it does, it should be removed). User avatar tag.gif Avatar talk.png 00:45, October 31, 2011 (UTC)