Inside Fallout, the Gaming World’s Most Unexpected Small Screen Triumph

The post-apocalyptic TV show has made a triumphant return to streaming services, and it's accurate to state that audiences were pleasantly surprised by the quality of its first season. By illustrating the retro-futuristic, post-apocalyptic United States through the perspectives of three separate characters, it managed to capture different facets of the gamer's adventure.

We followed Lucy the vault dweller, trying to uphold her morals and learning that the barren landscape made that very difficult; Max, the militant faction rookie, who starts challenging his cult's dogma and unleashes plenty of trouble in powered exoskeleton; and Walton Goggins's character, a fan-favorite figure who has entirely abandoned any moral compass out in the contaminated wilderness.

Setting the Stage for a New Chapter

The show's first season conclusion disclosed a major secret about who helped cause the global annihilation that sealed a population in subterranean shelters for an extended period. It also posed plenty of questions unanswered for the next installment – and, now, anticipations are considerably elevated.

“We’ll take ‘pretty good’ – let’s get that on a poster,” says Jonah Nolan.

“Starting the first season, everyone’s like, ‘Just get it right’,” adds Todd Howard. “We are ecstatic with the feedback to the show, so now people are coming in with more excitement and different expectations.”

A New Vegas Vibe for the Next Installment

The new season is located in the neon-lit city, the location of the 2010’s game Fallout: New Vegas, which is often praised for having the sharpest dialogue and personalities in the franchise, despite the fact that it was a bit broken at launch.

“It embodies a sun-baked feel, a Southwestern essence, that’s so integral to that game,” notes the co-creator. “That dusty, desolate iconic highway aesthetic of the game is so much fun to translate into the show.”

In the show's timeline, a considerable period has elapsed since the story of the New Vegas game by the time the protagonists make their way there. However, the creators suggest that it will honor the gamer's experience.

Crafting a Tangible World

The Fallout TV series is notable for its physical authenticity – its production team prioritized physical models and locations were constructed, reflecting the makeshift nature of the towns in the games.

“Being a genre enthusiast, so many productions I watch, I’m conscious that they’re all standing in front of a digital backdrop,” comments another of the showrunners. “The whole point of an adaptation, especially of a video game, is to appear as if it’s tangible.”

Indeed, almost every element you see on-screen is real, even the legendarily scary radioactive creatures known as Deathclaws. In the show, they are created using practical effects, and were reportedly pretty frightening up close.

Made by Fans, for Fans

The Fallout series works because it is developed by talented film-makers who are also passionate gamers, in collaboration with the original creators behind the video games. This mutual respect for the universe is clear in the end result.

The second season is launching on a weekly basis rather than as a full-season drop, marking a change from the previous season. This format will allow for a new viewing experience, a dynamic the team themselves are excited to observe.

“It's richer, it’s more expansive, it’s more humorous, it has a lot of revelations,” promises Howard. “I am excited to seeing what people think.”