Behind the Scenes of the Fallout Universe, Gaming’s Most Astonishing TV Hit
The Fallout TV series has come back to streaming services, and it's safe to say that fans were agreeably astonished by the caliber of its debut season. By portraying the retro-futuristic, post-apocalyptic United States through the eyes of three distinct characters, it managed to capture multiple facets of the player's experience.
We followed Lucy the vault dweller, attempting to uphold her morals and discovering that the barren landscape made that incredibly hard; Brotherhood initiate Max, the Brotherhood of Steel rookie, who begins to question his faction's authority and unleashes a lot of havoc in mechanized battle suit; and Walton Goggins's character, a standout performance who has completely shed any ethical bearings out in the radioactive wastes.
Building Anticipation for Season Two
The show's first season ending disclosed a major secret about who helped cause the nuclear war that trapped a population in bomb-proof bunkers for hundreds of years. It also left plenty of questions unresolved for the second season – and, now, expectations are significantly higher.
“We'd gladly accept ‘not terrible’ – we should print that on merchandise,” says the show's co-creator.
“Heading into the initial season, people were like, ‘Just get it right’,” adds a key figure from the games. “We’re over the moon with the feedback to the show, so now people are bringing more excitement and new expectations.”
The Mojave Beckons for the Next Installment
The upcoming season is set in New Vegas, the backdrop of the 2010’s game Fallout: New Vegas, which is often praised for having the sharpest dialogue and cast in the series, even if it was somewhat buggy at launch.
“It’s more of a sun-baked feel, a Southwestern essence, that’s so integral to that game,” notes Nolan. “That parched, desolate Route 66 vibe of the game is so much rewarding to incorporate into the show.”
In the series narrative, a considerable period has passed since the events of the New Vegas game by the time the protagonists arrive there. However, the creators indicate that it will honor the player’s journey.
The Importance of Physical Sets
The Fallout TV series is praised for its tactile feel – its production team ensured physical models and environments were fabricated, mirroring the cobbled-together nature of the settlements in the games.
“As a sci-fi fan, so many productions I watch, I’m aware that they’re all filmed against a blue screen,” says co-creator Geneva Robertson-Dworet. “The primary goal of an translation, especially of a video game, is to feel like it’s authentic.”
Indeed, almost every element you see on-screen is physical, even the legendarily scary irradiated monsters known as the apex predators. In the show, they are portrayed by puppets, and were apparently quite terrifying up close.
A Labor of Love
The Fallout series resonates because it is developed by accomplished storytellers who are also passionate gamers, with the help of the visionaries behind the video games. This shared passion for the lore is clear in the final product.
The second season is launching on a episode-by-episode basis rather than as a all-at-once release, representing a shift from the first season. This format will create a different weekly discussion, something the creators themselves are eager to observe.
“It has more depth, it’s more expansive, it’s funnier, it has a lot of revelations,” says Howard. “I can't wait to seeing what people think.”