* ExecutiveMeddling: [[http://www.nma-fallout.com/showthread.php?152662-Briareus-speaks-out&p=3023869&viewfull=1#post3023869 Interplay forced the developers to include a real-time combat system and cooperative multiplayer,]] the latter of which significantly increased the development time.
* ScrewedByTheNetwork: The game likely ''would'' have been officially released as ''Fallout 3''[[note]]although it would've technically been the fourth game due to the existence of ''[[VideoGame/FalloutTacticsBrotherhoodOfSteel Tactics]]'', it would've been the third official game[[/note]] had it not been for ''VideoGame/FalloutBrotherhoodOfSteel'' -- Creator/{{Interplay|Entertainment}} took ''such'' [[AdoredByTheNetwork a liking]] to that game (due to the commercial success of ''VideoGame/BaldursGateDarkAlliance'', whom ''Brotherhood of Steel'' is a reskin of) that they delayed ''Van Buren'' in favor of making that game. Eventually, they would not only outright cancel ''Van Buren'' (which according to WordOfDante, was due to budget constraints and a lost of faith on [=CRPGs=] due to the popularity of consoles at the time), but also deciding to make a second ''Brotherhood of Steel'' game. ''[=BoS=]'' ended up selling very poorly and due to financial difficulties, Interplay sold off the franchise to Creator/{{Bethesda}} shortly thereafter.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Leaked design documents, screenshots, videos, and playable demos indicate that ''Van Buren'' would have probably been really, ''really'' good if it was ever actually released, which is, of course, never going to happen. Although many elements planned for this game were later used in ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' and its {{DLC}}'s, granting some vindication to the project, many ideas planned didn't transition to ''New Vegas'', leaving them as potential ideas that never saw the light of day,
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