🔗 Share this article Inside the Fallout Universe, Gaming’s Most Unexpected Television Success The Fallout TV show has made a triumphant return to its platform, and it's safe to say that viewers were pleasantly surprised by the quality of its first season. By depicting the atomic-age, nuclear-ravaged United States through the perspectives of three different characters, it succeeded in capturing multiple facets of the gamer's experience. We followed Lucy the vault dweller, attempting to uphold her morals and finding that the ruined world made that very difficult; Brotherhood initiate Max, the militant faction rookie, who starts challenging his cult's authority and causes a lot of havoc in robotic power armour; and the Ghoul, a fan-favorite figure who has long since lost any sense of morality out in the irradiated badlands. Building Anticipation for Season Two The debut season's finale unveiled a major secret about who helped cause the nuclear war that trapped a population in subterranean shelters for centuries. It also raised numerous mysteries open for the upcoming chapter – and, this time, anticipations are significantly higher. “We'd gladly accept ‘pretty good’ – let’s get that on a poster,” quips one of the series creators. “Heading into the initial season, people were like, ‘Just get it right’,” comments the game director. “We’re over the moon with the reception to the show, so this time people are bringing more eagerness and new expectations.” A New Vegas Vibe for the Next Installment The upcoming season is taking place in the neon-lit city, the location of the 2010’s game Fallout: New Vegas, which is widely regarded for having the sharpest dialogue and personalities in the franchise, even if it was a bit broken at launch. “It’s more of a sun-baked feel, a Southwestern essence, that’s so integral to that game,” notes Nolan. “That dusty, desolate Route 66 vibe of the game is so much fun to incorporate into the show.” In the show's timeline, a long time has passed since the story of the New Vegas game by the time the protagonists make their way there. Nevertheless, the creators suggest that it acknowledges the gamer's experience. Crafting a Tangible World The Fallout TV series is notable for its tactile feel – its creators prioritized authentic items and environments were built, reflecting the improvised 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,” observes another of the showrunners. “The whole point of an adaptation, especially of a video game, is to seem like it’s real.” Indeed, virtually each creature you see on-screen is real, even the infamously terrifying irradiated monsters known as Deathclaws. In the show, they are created using animatronics, and were apparently pretty frightening up close. A Labor of Love The Fallout series succeeds because it is made by skilled directors who are also passionate gamers, in collaboration with the original creators behind the franchise. This shared passion for the world is evident in the end result. The second season is launching on a weekly basis rather than as a full-season drop, offering a different experience from the initial release. This approach will allow for a new audience reaction, something the showrunners themselves are looking forward to observe. “It's richer, it’s larger in scale, it’s funnier, it has a lot of revelations,” teases Howard. “I can't wait to seeing what people think.”