Behind the Scenes of the Fallout Universe, Gaming’s Most Unexpected TV Hit

The post-apocalyptic TV show is back to streaming services, and it's safe to say that viewers were pleasantly surprised by the quality of its initial run. By portraying the retro-futuristic, post-apocalyptic United States through the perspectives of three distinct characters, it managed to capture multiple facets of the player's journey.

There was Lucy the vault dweller, trying to act with integrity and finding that the barren landscape made that very difficult; Max, the militant faction rookie, who starts challenging his faction's dogma and causes a lot of havoc in mechanized battle suit; and the Ghoul, a breakout character who has long since lost any moral compass out in the irradiated wilderness.

Building Anticipation for Season Two

The debut season's conclusion unveiled crucial details about those responsible for the atomic conflict that condemned a society in bomb-proof bunkers for centuries. It also posed several enigmas unresolved for the upcoming chapter – and, on this occasion, expectations are considerably elevated.

“We'd gladly accept ‘not terrible’ – let’s get that on a poster,” remarks one of the series creators.

“Heading into the first season, everyone’s like, ‘Just get it right’,” comments a key figure from the games. “We are ecstatic with the feedback to the show, so now people are bringing more excitement and altered expectations.”

A New Vegas Vibe for Season Two

The upcoming season is set in the neon-lit city, the setting 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 technically flawed at launch.

“It has a sun-baked feel, a Southwestern essence, that’s so key to that game,” notes the co-creator. “That dusty, blasted-out iconic highway vibe of the game is so much rewarding to incorporate into the show.”

In the show's timeline, a considerable period 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 will honor the gamer's experience.

Crafting a Tangible World

The Fallout TV series is distinguished by its tactile feel – its makers ensured physical models and locations were constructed, echoing the cobbled-together nature of the towns in the games.

“Being a genre enthusiast, so many shows I watch, I’m aware that they’re all standing in front of a digital backdrop,” observes another of the showrunners. “The primary goal of an adaptation, especially of a video game, is to feel like it’s authentic.”

Actually, virtually every element you see on-screen is real, including the infamously terrifying irradiated monsters known as Deathclaws. In the show, they are portrayed by animatronics, and were reportedly quite terrifying up close.

Made by Fans, for Fans

The Fallout series succeeds because it is crafted by talented film-makers who are also passionate gamers, in collaboration with the game developers behind the video games. This mutual respect for the universe is apparent in the final product.

The second season is debuting on a episode-by-episode basis rather than as a all-at-once release, marking a change from the previous season. This schedule will create a new weekly discussion, something the creators themselves are excited to observe.

“It delves deeper, it’s more expansive, it’s more humorous, it has a lot of surprises,” teases the game director. “I can't wait to seeing what people think.”