Behind the Scenes of the Fallout Universe, Gaming’s Most Unexpected Television Success

The post-apocalyptic TV show has made a triumphant return to streaming services, and it's safe to say that audiences were pleasantly surprised by the caliber of its initial run. By illustrating the atomic-age, post-apocalyptic United States through the lenses of three distinct characters, it managed to capture various facets of the player's adventure.

There was vault-dweller Lucy, attempting to act with integrity and finding that the ruined world made that very difficult; Max, the militant faction new recruit, who starts challenging his cult's authority and creates a lot of havoc in powered exoskeleton; and Walton Goggins's character, a standout performance who has entirely abandoned any moral compass out in the irradiated badlands.

Setting the Stage for Season Two

The show's first season ending unveiled a major secret about those responsible for the global annihilation that sealed a population in underground vaults for centuries. It also raised numerous mysteries unresolved for the upcoming chapter – and, on this occasion, hopes are considerably elevated.

“We'd gladly accept ‘not terrible’ – let’s get that on a poster,” quips the show's co-creator.

“Heading into the initial season, everyone’s like, ‘Just get it right’,” states Todd Howard. “We’re over the moon with the response to the show, so this time people are bringing more enthusiasm and different expectations.”

The Mojave Beckons for the Next Installment

The second season is set in New Vegas, the location of the 2010’s game Fallout: New Vegas, which is often praised for having the most compelling narratives and cast in the series, even if it was a bit broken at launch.

“It’s more of a arid atmosphere, a Southwestern essence, that’s so integral to that game,” explains the co-creator. “That dusty, blasted-out iconic highway feeling of the game is so much rewarding to translate into the show.”

In the series narrative, a long time has passed since the story of the New Vegas game by the time the protagonists make their way there. Nevertheless, the creators hint that it does reference the fan's adventure.

Crafting a Tangible World

The Fallout TV series is notable for its physical authenticity – its production team ensured authentic items and sets were built, mirroring the cobbled-together nature of the outposts in the games.

“As a sci-fi fan, so many shows I watch, I’m conscious that they’re all standing in front of a blue screen,” says co-creator Geneva Robertson-Dworet. “The whole point of an adaptation, especially of a video game, is to appear as if it’s real.”

Actually, virtually every element you see on-screen is real, even the infamously terrifying mutated beasts known as Deathclaws. In the show, they are brought to life with animatronics, and were reportedly pretty frightening up close.

Made by Fans, for Fans

The Fallout series resonates because it is developed by talented film-makers who are also passionate gamers, in collaboration with the visionaries behind the source material. This shared passion for the world is evident in the end result.

The new batch of episodes is being released on a weekly basis rather than as a all-at-once release, marking a change from the previous season. This format will allow for a new weekly discussion, something the creators themselves are excited to observe.

“It's richer, it’s bigger, it’s funnier, it has a lot of surprises,” teases Howard. “I can't wait to seeing what people think.”