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

The post-apocalyptic TV series is back to streaming services, and it's fair to say that fans were pleasantly surprised by the caliber of its debut season. By depicting the atomic-age, post-apocalyptic United States through the eyes of three distinct characters, it succeeded in capturing various facets of the player's adventure.

There was Lucy the vault dweller, striving to do the right thing and learning that the ruined world made that exceptionally challenging; Brotherhood initiate Max, the Brotherhood of Steel rookie, who starts challenging his cult's dogma and causes a lot of havoc in mechanized battle suit; and Walton Goggins's character, a breakout character who has long since lost any moral compass out in the contaminated wastes.

Setting the Stage for a New Chapter

The debut season's ending unveiled a major secret about those responsible for the global annihilation that condemned a population in underground vaults for centuries. It also left several enigmas unresolved for the second season – and, this time, expectations are considerably elevated.

“We'd gladly accept ‘not terrible’ – we should print that on merchandise,” quips one of the series creators.

“Heading into the initial season, people were like, ‘Just get it right’,” states the game director. “We are thrilled with the response to the show, so now people are bringing more excitement and altered expectations.”

A New Vegas Vibe for Season Two

The second season is taking place in the neon-lit city, the location of the beloved game Fallout: New Vegas, which is often praised for having the best writing and characters in the series, even if it was somewhat buggy at launch.

“It embodies a desert vibe, a Southwestern essence, that’s so key to that game,” explains Nolan. “That parched, blasted-out iconic highway aesthetic of the game is so much enjoyable to translate into the show.”

In the show's timeline, a considerable period has elapsed since the story of the New Vegas game by the time the characters make their way there. Nevertheless, the creators suggest that it acknowledges the fan's adventure.

Crafting a Tangible World

The Fallout TV series is notable for its tangible quality – its creators ensured real props and locations were fabricated, mirroring the improvised nature of the outposts in the games.

“Being a genre enthusiast, so many shows I watch, I’m conscious that they’re all filmed against a green screen,” observes another of the showrunners. “The primary goal of an translation, particularly of a video game, is to feel like it’s real.”

In fact, virtually every element you see on-screen is practical, even the infamously terrifying radioactive creatures known as the apex predators. In the show, they are created using puppets, and were apparently quite terrifying up close.

Made by Fans, for Fans

The Fallout series resonates because it is crafted by talented film-makers who are also passionate gamers, with the help of the visionaries behind the source material. This mutual respect for the world is evident in the end result.

The second season is debuting on a weekly basis rather than as a binge-able batch, offering a different experience from the first season. This approach will allow for a altered viewing experience, a dynamic the team themselves are excited to engage with.

“It has more depth, it’s larger in scale, it’s funnier, it has a lot of revelations,” teases the game director. “I can't wait to seeing what people think.”