Behind the Scenes of Fallout, Gaming’s Most Surprising Small Screen Triumph

The Fallout TV series is back to its platform, and it's accurate to state that fans were delightfully shocked by the caliber of its initial run. By depicting the retro-futuristic, post-apocalyptic United States through the lenses of three separate characters, it succeeded in capturing different facets of the player's adventure.

We followed vault-dweller Lucy, trying to act with integrity and finding that the barren landscape made that very difficult; Max, the Brotherhood of Steel new recruit, who starts doubting his faction's dogma and creates plenty of trouble in powered exoskeleton; and Walton Goggins's character, a standout performance who has long since lost any ethical bearings out in the radioactive wastes.

Building Anticipation for Season Two

The show's first season finale unveiled key information about those responsible for the nuclear war that condemned a population in underground vaults for hundreds of years. It also left numerous mysteries unresolved for the upcoming chapter – and, this time, hopes are much greater.

“We’ll take ‘not terrible’ – let’s get that on a poster,” quips one of the series creators.

“Going into the first season, people were like, ‘Just don't mess it up’,” comments a key figure from the games. “We’re over the moon with the feedback to the show, so now people are arriving with more enthusiasm and different expectations.”

The Mojave Beckons for the Next Installment

The upcoming season is taking place in the neon-lit city, the setting of the beloved game Fallout: New Vegas, which is often praised for having the best writing and cast in the series, despite the fact that it was a bit broken at launch.

“It embodies a arid atmosphere, a Southwestern essence, that’s so key to that game,” explains the co-creator. “That dusty, desolate iconic highway vibe of the game is so much rewarding to translate into the show.”

In the show's timeline, a significant amount of time has elapsed since the story of the New Vegas game by the time the characters arrive 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 tangible quality – its creators insisted on real props and environments were built, reflecting the makeshift nature of the settlements in the games.

“As a sci-fi fan, so many series I watch, I’m aware that they’re all standing in front of a digital backdrop,” observes co-creator Geneva Robertson-Dworet. “The whole point of an translation, especially of a video game, is to feel like it’s authentic.”

Actually, virtually everything you see on-screen is real, even the infamously terrifying radioactive creatures known as the apex predators. In the show, they are portrayed by puppets, and were by all accounts rather intimidating up close.

A Labor of Love

The Fallout series works because it is made by talented film-makers who are also dedicated players, in collaboration with the game developers behind the video games. This common understanding for the universe is evident in the final product.

The new batch of episodes is being released on a weekly basis rather than as a binge-able batch, offering a different experience from the initial release. This format will create a altered audience reaction, something the creators themselves are excited to observe.

“It delves deeper, it’s larger in scale, it’s funnier, it has a lot of twists,” says the game director. “I’m looking forward to seeing what people think.”

Brianna Martinez
Brianna Martinez

Experienced casino analyst and gaming strategist with a passion for uncovering the best slots.