Here at Talking About Games, we've become big fans of Bethesda Softworks. Sure, they've offered up some exceedingly enjoyable experiences over the years, but the addiction invoked by Fallout 3 borders on the unhealthy. And in true Bethesda fashion, there has been no shortage of add-on content for our favorite post-apocalyptic journey since its release last October.

Sadly, it seems as though our vault dweller's adventure is nearing its inevitable completion. On August 3, the release of Mothership Zeta will mark the final chapter in our Wasteland escapades.

And since this is TAG, we don't have the patience or the self-discipline to wait until the release of this DLC to learn about its subject matter. As such, we decided to pester Jeff Gardiner, lead producer on Fallout 3, for some more juicy details. And as always, Mr. Gardiner has come through for us. Yes, Jeff is clutch. Make a note of it.

Hit the jump for our full interview with Bethesda's finest.

The first three pieces of DLC for Fallout 3 provided a more linear experience for gamers, with Point Lookout breaking that mold. Will Mothership Zeta be a return to form, or will we have more "space" to explore?

JG: Mothership Zeta is similar to the first three DLC in that it's combat-heavy, but the ship itself is more open, with multiple objectives that can be completed as the player sees fit.

What was the motivation behind taking players onto an alien spacecraft for Mothership Zeta? Did someone on the team have an encounter?

JG: We thought it would be a very unique environment to explore, a far cry from the dust ravaged wastes of DC.  The lead designer, Emil Pagliarulo, and I are interested in Alien conspiracy theory...  There's a lot of information to sift through on the internet, while neither of us is quite sure what to believe it makes for interesting coffee conversation.

In what creative way will this new quest line be initiated? Does the Wanderer stumble upon a mutilated Brahmin carcass?

JG: It starts at the alien crash site currently hidden in the wasteland.  As the player explores the area, they get 'beamed up' into space.

As a developer, what has it been like working with a successful game that has allowed you to pursue more unconventional ideas like an alien abduction?

JG: Creating Fallout 3 and the DLC has been the journey of a lifetime.  It wouldn't have been possible without the rich and brilliant back story provided by the first two games.  Couple that with a driven and brilliant team and you have a dream job in a dream career.  We're all very blessed.

What was the inspiration behind the look of the alien at the Crash Site, and will his friends be just like him? Is the plan to take full advantage of designing completely new enemies?

JG: Some of his friends are just like him.  There are also new alien robots, as well as other creatures we can't quite reveal just yet.  I feel we definitely maximize on the new enemy types.  The combat and level design in Mothership Zeta is some of the best we've ever done.

The Alien Blaster and Firelance are easily among the strongest weapons currently in the game. Assuming this DLC follows the past trend, what new loot from the creators of this technology could possibly trump what we've already found?

JG: It's safe to say that it does, though ammo is still hard to find and should be conserved.  There's a Shock Baton, Alien Atomizer and Alien Disintegrator.  Not to mention a new secret Heavy Weapon and cryo-grenades that freeze enemies in their tracks.

With the right skills, perks and weapons players have reportedly taken down Behemoths with just a couple of shots. What will you do to challenge higher level characters and give us an excuse to dust off our Experimental MIRVs again?

JG: They won't be saying that about the new enemies... Nor several of the enemies we shipped with Broken Steel and Point Lookout.  Remember, Fallout 3 was originally designed to a level 20 cap, and it was designed to end.  So, once we expanded the gameplay by one third some enemies became easier.  All of the content we shipped including and after Broken Steel has included very difficult challenges for high level players.  Try taking a Ghoul Reaver down in two shots!

One feature Fallout 3 is lacking that previous franchise titles had were vehicles. When the missions for Mothership Zeta are done, will we finally have our very own space ship to trick out?

JG: You'll be able to return to the spaceship - however you won't be able to pilot it.

So far you've taken several opportunities to branch out into areas considered less "Fallout-like" than others and had a good amount of success. Can you give us any examples of how you'll retain that Fallout feeling when players are creeping around space ships?

JG: The high-level technology employed by the Alien invaders still has the 'retro' feel of Fallout.  Mothership Zeta is also laced with dark humor - it was penned by the same quest designer responsible for the Fallout 3 'main' questline, Brian Chapin.

For the power gamers who have already hit level 30, are the plans for new perks going to make us want to start our characters all over again? Or will they be more in the vein of quest related rewards?

JG: The new perks are quest related.  I always encourage fans to replay the game with different character styles and karmic balance - if you played the first time through as a noble combat heavy character try replaying as an evil stealth oriented one.  The game really plays remarkably differently, both the combat and the storylines.

With the announcement of the two expansion disc releases for Fallout 3 (Add-on Packs 1 and 2), we noticed that Mothership Zeta will only be available on disc with the full Game of the Year Edition. This seems like a clear case of Extraterrestrial discrimination. What gives?

JG: It really doesn't work to put these out on a disc by themselves. You need at least two to make it worth doing. So as a result, Zeta sort of gets left out for a disc version. But it'll still be available online just like all the others.

In another interview it was stated that the PS3 DLC was initially put off due to, "Xbox users [being] much more comfortable buying content, by a wide margin." Have sales of Fallout 3 and user demand convinced you that there is a larger market out there than previously believed? Or are you really just bringing the content over in support of the fan base?

JG: We're bringing content over to support the fan base!

After we burn our way through these DLC packs it sounds like our time in the wasteland may be coming to a close. Since we seem to have such a good track record for predictions (see: Deathclaw impunity, PS3 DLC, GotY Edition), would you like to tell us a little about a game called "Elder Scrolls V?"

JG: Sorry but we aren't talking about any of our future projects right now.