The second season of Fallout is here, and it's a testament to the power of a great video game adaptation. But what makes the perfect adaptation?
By Tom Richardson and Peter Gillibrand, BBC Newsbeat
Prime Video's Fallout has returned for a second season, and it's already making waves. The first season, set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by nuclear war, was a massive success. It won over both long-time fans and newcomers, proving that a well-crafted adaptation can reach a wide audience. This success had a significant impact on Bethesda Softworks, the game's developer, bringing back old players and attracting new ones.
Key figures from Bethesda shared insights with BBC Newsbeat, discussing their collaboration with the show's producers and the future of the games. The first season of Fallout arrived at a turning point for Hollywood's video game adaptations. They had a reputation for being low-quality, often deviating from their source material. Then came The Last of Us.
Released in 2023, the adaptation of the PlayStation blockbuster was a hit, impressing fans and critics alike. Some argued that the show's creators had an easier job, as the story drew heavily from prestige TV shows, providing a clear roadmap for the screen. The drama closely followed the game's narrative, with some scenes nearly identical to their pixelated counterparts.
While The Last of Us was captivating audiences, the Fallout producers took a different approach. Unlike The Last of Us, which has a linear story, the Fallout games offer a more open world. The games' branching narratives, filled with side quests and diverse characters, provide a wealth of material. However, deciding what to include in the adaptation is a huge task.
Todd Howard, director at Bethesda Game Studios, shared that he was first approached about a filmed version in 2009. He agreed but didn't push forward until meeting executive producer Jonathan Nolan. Howard was a fan of Nolan's work on HBO's Westworld and his co-writing credits on films like The Dark Knight and Interstellar, directed by his brother Christopher Nolan. The feeling was mutual.
"It turned out he was a huge fan of Fallout," Howard said. The two have become "very close friends," fostering trust between the TV and gaming teams. "Everyone involved is on the same page with how they want to treat it with authenticity," he added.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Emil Pagliarulo, studio design director and a Bethesda veteran, was crucial in keeping the TV show authentic. A key decision was to maintain the show's "canon," meaning everything in the show happened or will happen in the games. Fallout, first launched in 1997, has a rich history that fans know and cherish. Pagliarulo admitted to some "back-and-forth" between the TV and gaming teams, especially early on. "It's difficult because TV's an entirely different medium," he said. "It's really about getting the tone right, but they were very respectful of where we wanted to take it." This adherence to the games' timeline sometimes led to late-night texts from the TV show's set, ensuring everything was canonically correct.
And this is the part most people miss...
There's a less romantic reason for game studios to support adaptations: boosting game sales. The release of the first Fallout season led to price cuts and updates for the games. Fallout 4, released nine years prior, topped the sales charts. Fallout 76, an online multiplayer spin-off launched in 2018, saw a huge surge in players after the show's debut. The game had initially received negative feedback, but the show's success brought in a record number of players.
Production director Bill Lacoste noted that they always expected players to come after watching the show. Creative director Jon Rush admitted the influx of players was a "fun surprise." With game developers more involved in adaptations, fans often wonder how this impacts future games. Jon mentioned that new Fallout 76 players have influenced decisions about updates. Todd Howard confirmed that Fallout 5 will exist in a world where the show's events have occurred, and they are taking that into account.
As for whether the second season will have a similar impact, Howard is unsure. "There's still so many people that won't play a game," he said. "They still get to experience Fallout, and I think that's really important because they're now equal fans of the world."
What do you think? Do you believe the Fallout TV show successfully captured the essence of the games? How do you feel about the show influencing future game installments? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
