Some new details on New Vegas. Looking pretty sweet so far.
 
There is an optional hardcore mode, the character needs to drink water, ammo has weight, healing isn't instant etc. Normal mode is more similar to Fallout 3 gameplay.

The storyline is focused on the New California Republic vs. Caesar's Legion vs. New Vegas residents.

Set in the Mojave wastelands. Vegas didn't get many nukes. More intact buildings, as well as desert vegetation. Vegas itself is mostly intact.

You don't play a Vault Dweller (or descendant of one) but a courier, left for dead and saved by a friendly robot.

There is a screenshot of a vault suit as well.

There is an assault rifle looking like the M4, as well as a new big gun with a backpack, held like a minigun.

There are special moves for melee weapons in VATS - specifically a move for a golf club called "Fore" which seems to be a groin shot.

Bartering is not just lower prices but negotiating for better rewards.

Followers can be managed through a context-sensitive menu, with orders like "follow", "stay" or "attack".

The Hoover Dam is in the game and is supplying electricity to the city.

There is a quest to rescue a ghoul from some super mutants. The ghoul can then become your companion.

The Geckos are back.

There are both dumb and intelligent super mutants, including the elite Nightkin.

Some super mutants look similar to the ones in Fallout 3, while others are new. There is e.g. a female super mutant with a 1950s hairstyle who apparently is one of their leaders.

Screenshots include a guy with a beard and straw hat, a ghoul an NCR Ranger

The only picture of New Vegas itself is concept art and not a screenshot

Some location screenshots include a huge model dinosaur advertising a hotel, some satellite dishes, an array of solar panels

A character generation shot showing a "vigour machine" instead of the skill book

NCR base is the McCarran Airport, Caesar's Legion is based in the Vegas Strip, while super mutants are based in a place called Black Mountain. There is also a town called Fremont and another called Primm. A topless reuve is mentioned as being in the latter.

NCR Ranger armor is similar to a brown combat armor with sleeves, there are concept arts of a Ranger

Skils have a bigger effect on conversation choices. E.g. someone with a high Explosives skill may be able to have a coversation about explosives where appropriate.

There is a Reputation system in adition to Karma.

This is all great news.  The hardcore mode seems really cool considering how easy Fallout 3 was.
 
Edit:  Plus, in addition to adding to the challenge, it just gives you that feeling of survival.  You got it really early on in Fallout 3 before you had three digits worth of stimpaks, and enough ammo to start your own army.

The Hardcore mode sounds good to me. Even on hard (not hardest) F3 is way too easy.

Roleplaying games these days are all about big decisions and visceral combat. I miss the days when you had to remember to drink water and it took 5 days real time to travel anywhere. 

I  will definatly be playing through on Hardcore mode.

Hardcore mode sounds just like my brand of crazy...

guess i should hurry and play fallout 3 then.

All of that sounds awesome.  I absolutely can't wait for this game.  ^__^

Don't forget Dogmeat's choices are imported from your Fallout 3 save.

" You don't play a Vault Dweller (or descendant of one) but a courier, left for dead and saved by a friendly robot."

I didn't read anything, but I need to get a gaming PC.

hardcore mode =cool 
 
 i played through fallout 3 without stim packs anyways 
 
 
i always just drank water or ate food 

I can't wait for this game now guys.

I'm intrigued by this hardcore mode, but I do like being able to carry all the ammo I want...
 
Caesar's Legion sounds awesome. I'm sure it will be. Also, I'm shocked that Vegas is still in such good shape, but I suppose that's cool with me. I like the fact that you're not a Vault Dweller this time. I loved it in Fallout 3, but this is a welcome change. It's also a good change that bartering is a more valuable attribute, though I always kind of liked to have it fairly high in Fallout 3 anyway.
 
I like the idea of Super Mutants having varying intelligence. I hope most of them are dumb grunts, though. It seems more appropriate. 
 
Oh, and did you say topless? Yay.

This stuff sounds nice! I'm not sure that I would play hardcore mode, but still quite excited for this game!

I have played ALOT of fallout 3..... will probably play alot of this

A post-apocalyptic courier, huh...well, maybe this time it will be better. 

Can't wait for this, but i played fallout 3 the other day and it is seemed so broken after playing mass effect 2.

" A post-apocalyptic courier, huh...well, maybe this time it will be better. 

"

That hardcore mode sounds really appealing to me, I remember that I enjoyed the first 6 or so hours of the game when you still felt very scavengery (you know, before you were carrying 30 mini nukes around with you) so that sounds pretty awesome

"

Roleplaying games these days are all about big decisions and visceral combat. I miss the days when you had to remember to drink water and it took 5 days real time to travel anywhere. 

  "

This all sounds amazing. I simply can't wait. I'm hoping New Vegas is much more colorful.

 Good stuff, i remember hearing some other 'rumours' but i guess those might be just that, we'll have to wait and see..Then again, if this game really is Fall 2010, they better have some more details soon. AND SOME GAMEPLAY!

Source?

Hardcore mode isn't for me (I hate weight restrictions for games where you get loot) but everything else sounds like solid improvements over the ME2 formula.  Plus it's from Obsidian.  I had major issues with the dialog of FO3 but Obsidian is great at story, dialog and characters.  As long as it isn't buggy as hell, this should be markedly better than FO3, which was already a good game.

So, what does GI stand for?

So back to the west coast for some wasteland WAR