🔗 Share this article Behind the Scenes of the Fallout Universe, Gaming’s Most Astonishing Small Screen Triumph The post-apocalyptic TV series has made a triumphant return to its platform, and it's fair to say that viewers were pleasantly surprised by the quality of its initial run. By depicting the atomic-age, post-apocalyptic United States through the perspectives of three distinct characters, it effectively portrayed various facets of the gamer's journey. There was vault-dweller Lucy, attempting to act with integrity and finding that the ruined world made that exceptionally challenging; Brotherhood initiate Max, the militant faction new recruit, who starts doubting his faction's dogma and unleashes plenty of trouble in mechanized battle suit; and the Ghoul, a standout performance who has long since lost any sense of morality out in the radioactive wastes. Setting the Stage for a New Chapter The show's first season ending revealed crucial details about the culprits behind the nuclear war that condemned a group of people in bomb-proof bunkers for an extended period. It also posed several enigmas unanswered for the upcoming chapter – and, this time, expectations are considerably elevated. “We’ll take ‘pretty good’ – we should print that on merchandise,” remarks Jonah Nolan. “Going into the initial season, everyone’s like, ‘Just don't mess it up’,” adds Todd Howard. “We are ecstatic with the reception to the show, so now people are arriving with more enthusiasm and different expectations.” The Mojave Beckons for the Next Installment The new season is located in New Vegas, the location of the 2010’s game Fallout: New Vegas, which is widely regarded for having the most compelling narratives and characters in the series, even if it was a bit broken at launch. “It’s more of a desert vibe, a Southwestern essence, that’s so key to that game,” notes Nolan. “That parched, desolate Route 66 vibe of the game is so much enjoyable to incorporate into the show.” In the series narrative, a significant amount of time has passed since the story of the New Vegas game by the time the characters arrive there. Yet, the creators suggest that it will honor the player’s journey. Crafting a Tangible World The Fallout TV series is praised for its tactile feel – its creators prioritized real props and environments were fabricated, echoing the cobbled-together 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 primary goal of an translation, especially of a video game, is to seem like it’s tangible.” Actually, almost everything you see on-screen is practical, including the legendarily scary mutated beasts known as Deathclaws. In the show, they are portrayed by practical effects, and were apparently quite terrifying up close. Made by Fans, for Fans The Fallout series resonates because it is crafted by accomplished storytellers who are also passionate gamers, with the help of the game developers behind the franchise. This common understanding for the world is apparent in the finished show. The second season is launching on a episode-by-episode basis rather than as a full-season drop, marking a change from the first season. This approach will allow for a altered weekly discussion, something the team themselves are eager to witness. “It's richer, it’s bigger, it’s wittier, it has a lot of surprises,” teases the game director. “I can't wait to seeing what people think.”