Exploring Fallout, the Gaming World’s Most Surprising TV Hit
The post-apocalyptic TV show has made a triumphant return to streaming services, and it's fair to say that audiences were pleasantly surprised by the excellence of its debut season. By depicting the atomic-age, nuclear-ravaged United States through the perspectives of three separate characters, it managed to capture different facets of the gamer's experience.
We followed Lucy the vault dweller, striving to act with integrity and learning that the ruined world made that incredibly hard; Brotherhood initiate Max, the Brotherhood of Steel rookie, who starts doubting his faction's authority and unleashes plenty of trouble in mechanized battle suit; and the Ghoul, a standout performance who has completely shed any sense of morality out in the radioactive wastes.
Setting the Stage for the Second Season
The debut season's finale unveiled key information about those responsible for the atomic conflict that sealed a population in bomb-proof bunkers for an extended period. It also left numerous mysteries unresolved for the upcoming chapter – and, on this occasion, anticipations are much greater.
“We'd gladly accept ‘not terrible’ – let’s get that on a poster,” quips Jonah Nolan.
“Starting the initial season, people were like, ‘Just get it right’,” adds Todd Howard. “We are ecstatic with the reception to the show, so now people are coming in with more eagerness and different expectations.”
A New Vegas Vibe for Season Two
The upcoming season is located in the neon-lit city, the location of the 2010’s game Fallout: New Vegas, which is frequently celebrated for having the most compelling narratives and characters in the series, even if it was a bit broken at launch.
“It has a desert vibe, a Southwestern essence, that’s so essential to that game,” says Nolan. “That parched, desolate Route 66 vibe of the game is so much fun to translate into the show.”
In the show's timeline, a considerable period has elapsed since the events of the New Vegas game by the time the protagonists make their way there. Nevertheless, the creators indicate that it does reference the gamer's experience.
The Importance of Physical Sets
The Fallout TV series is notable for its tangible quality – its makers prioritized physical models and environments were constructed, reflecting the improvised nature of the settlements in the games.
“As a sci-fi fan, so many productions I watch, I’m conscious that they’re all standing in front of a green screen,” says another of the showrunners. “The key objective of an translation, especially of a interactive medium, is to appear as if it’s authentic.”
Indeed, pretty much everything you see on-screen is physical, including the notoriously frightening irradiated monsters known as the apex predators. In the show, they are brought to life with animatronics, and were by all accounts pretty frightening up close.
Made by Fans, for Fans
The Fallout series resonates because it is crafted by accomplished storytellers who are also dedicated players, with the help of the original creators behind the franchise. This shared passion for the universe is clear in the finished show.
The second season is debuting on a episode-by-episode basis rather than as a full-season drop, representing a shift from the first season. This schedule will allow for a different viewing experience, a dynamic the showrunners themselves are eager to observe.
“It has more depth, it’s larger in scale, it’s funnier, it has a lot of surprises,” teases Howard. “I’m looking forward to seeing what people think.”