As the title suggests, I already own FO3, but didn't own any of the DLC. I ran in to the GotY Ed for an cheaper price than just purchasing all of the DLC so I bought it, but am wondering what will happen when I install. Will the game realize there is already an installation of itself on the HDD, and just upgrade or are there going to be issues? Also, will I be able to use my previous saves? I hate to start over, and were this any other game I don't think I'd have an issue...it's just the whole Games for Windows Live thing that I am thinking may be an issue.

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

DM

First, the saves, yes, you will be able to use your previous saves. It almost never messes them up. To make sure this rare issue does not occur, just load a previous save, then make a new save slot. That way if it borks, you can load the earlier save again. Note, this borking is extremely rare and I have never seen it repeat. What would happen is skills/quests would get reset on loading the save, but I have only seen this happen once on my game and a couple of times it was reported on the boards. It was more than likely a mod issue than anything with the game. So, load your save, check your quests and skills and if all is good, then go forward.

As for the install, it may very well just add the DLC content, or it could reinstall everything. Either way, the install is going to take about the same amount of time. If you are super paranoid, you can make a back up copy or just move your Fallout3 saves into a safe place until the install is done, then move them back. Again, I don't think this is necessary, but it is a quick click and drag to make sure.

All of the additional content is on a separate disc from the main Fallout 3. All you would have to do is load the second disc, activate the additional files and continue on with your game.

I appreciate the input. Another concern I had was due to the different Live keys that I would be using(one from the original Fallout 3 and then this new one from FO3: GotY Ed), but I'm guessing the new install will probably just overwrite whatever it needs to. I will try to give this a shot at some point, and will report back on how it went. My Live account is locked at the moment, due to the Xbox Live hacking that occurred on Saturday(someone got in and bought all these MS Points on my account. I got MS to lock the account and refund all the money, but they say it'll be about three weeks until I can log back in).

Thanks again,

DM

GOTY is basically just the extra disc with the DLC. There is no difference between regular FO3 and the GOTY (pre-DLC). The screen doesn't reflect any GOTY or anything significant. It looks normal.

So yes, you could install the DLC from the extra disc while using your original install of FO3.

Edit -

Oh, you're talking about X360. I think the same applies as the PC. The extra disc just has the DLC and only requires the original game in order to install the add-ons.

No, it was for the PC version.

I thought I'd pop back in with a quick update: Like most had guessed, the GotY edition disc really is just the regular FO3 disc with a new cover. Putting it in the drive just brings up the same FO3 launcher that the original disc would, with the same options. You just simply run the second disc, it installs and then you start a game(it doesn't even ask you for the new Live key, oddly enough). It takes a little bit for all the radio signals to come in about the DLC quests, but it worked fine. I guess I'll just hold on to my old copy of FO3, just in case it ever freaks out and needs either its key again, or the new GotY ed key.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for the help!

DM