TheFalloutgame series has pretty much always had the potential to be adapted into a movie or T.V show. In fact, back in the late nineties, there almost was aFalloutmovie, though it likely wouldn’t have been very good, judging by the official film treatment. Finally, however, Bethesda and Amazon are partnering to create a fully-fledged T.V series based on the I.P.
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Not much is currently known about the show other than its cast, creative team, and a few set photos. Directed and produced byWestworldcreators Jonathon Nolan and Lisa Joy (producing only), the show may very well be a smash hit, especially if it plays to the strengths of the I.P and remains faithful to the established lore and nature of the universe. It would certainly be a shame if theFalloutshow were to go down the same road theHaloshow did, where the creatorsdeliberately ignored key aspects of the game seriesthey were adapting.
8Tone & Atmosphere
Fallouthas always been known for having a rather bleak setting. Of course, how could it not what with it taking place in an irradiated nuclear hellscape. That said, it’s not without moments of levity or above even the heaviest of satire. At their best,Falloutgames strike a delicate balance between dark, depressing and goofy, satirical.
For example,Fallout 3’swasteland is dripping with the feeling of crushing desolation, but then there are theChildren of Atom, a religious cult that worships an un-detonated atomic bomb. This is something theFalloutshow would really benefit from replicating.
7Creatures, Robots & Mutants
From Radroaches to Androids to Super Mutant Behemoths,Fallout’sworld is positively saturated with outlandish and at times utterly grotesque creatures and scientific abominations. The show would do well to include at least some of these in service of the larger story and world.
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It would certainly be a treat for longtime fans of the games to see the main characters fend off a super mutant raiding party, or deal with a pack of Feral Ghouls in abandoned sewers and metro tunnels. Extra points are in order for including at least one Wanamingo fromFallout 2.
6Environment Design
If the Amazon series ought to get anything right, it’sthe Cold War, red scare apocalypse look that helped to make the games so memorable. Everything from the architecture to the vehicles is inspired by 1950s-80s retro futurism, with a bit ofMad Maxpost apocalypse mixed in (the films were an early inspiration for the games).
This retro-futurism is very important too, as there is a misconception that Fallout takes place in the 50s when it does not. It takes place in a future that resembles what people in the 50’s to 80’s thought would occur based on their limited understanding. Getting this aspect of the world right in the show is a must.
5Thematic Underpinning
Falloutis a series that constantly emphasizes the worst traits in humanity; war and greed. The nations of the old world drained the Earth of its natural resources in the pursuit of power and wealth for years until there wasn’t enough left to share. The ensuing war and paranoia led to the destruction of the planet via armed nuclear conflict. Even the apocalypse can’t save humanity from itself, however. It is simply the latest chapter in human history, swallowed in self-interest, and bathed in violence.
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This is one of the central arguments of the series. Humanity is naturally self-destructive species, a matter of observable fact simply by looking out the window. If nothing else, the show must adapt this sincerely, otherwise the words “war, war never changes” are devoid of any real meaning.
4The Weapons
The weapons that appear inFalloutgames have always been based on the antiquated look of the 50s to 80s period of the Cold War for the most part. Even the more Sci-Fi type weapons look extremely outdated from their ergonomics alone, however, this is because these weapons are based on that same retro-futurism idea that other parts of the game’s look is. This gives them a distinct visual style compared to the Sci-Fi weapons one might see inStar Citizen, for example.
The conventional weapons, such as handguns and rifles, notably lack most of the modern accessories used with modern firearms. This includes optics, lasers, lights and grips. If anything, many of the weapons resemble the sort of bone stock, basic loadout one would see an American or Soviet soldier issued in the 1970s. Bearing this is mind, it would look very out of place to see a fully kitted out, modern FN SCAR appear inthe Amazon series.
3Plot & Conflict
Put simply, without an interesting story, theFalloutshow is going nowhere. The recent games by Bethesda have received criticism for not having the best stories, but that was usually made up for in the gameplay department. No such department exists in the medium of television. The show, them, needs to lean on the strengths of its narrative.
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It needs to be said, however, thatFallouthas told plenty of interesting stories in the games, despite many fans complaints about the newer releases. The original twoFalloutgames along withNew Vegasstill receive praise for their ability to tell interesting stories whether its through the main quest, side quests, DLC or simply through exploring the open world (such as the terminal entries of Randall Clark). It would be a shame to see the show waste the I.P’s potential for crafting a memorable, worthwhile story.
2Factions
Fallouthas always been about the politics of the post nuclear apocalypse. From a videogame perspective, this servesthe RPG styleof gameplay very effectively, as it gives the player agency to interact with and shape the world around them. More than this, however, It’s a fundamental theme of the series; the tribes and nations that arise from the ashes, attempting to carve out a life for themselves among the ruins of the old world and how they interact with one another.
Like the NCR and Brotherhood of Steel, or the Institute and the Railroad. The show could very easily translate this element of the games.
1Vaults & their Experiments
Falloutalmost isn’tFalloutwithout vaults and the Vaultek corporation. Every game has featured them more or less, and they are wholly ingrained in the series' brand of social commentary as one of its centerpieces. Not only this, but vaults always make for interesting places for the player to explore, where they learn about its particularly sociopathic experiment and its effect on the vaults inhabitants.
The show would be wasting one of the best parts of the game series by not including at least one vault. They’re just too woven into the identity of the series to ignore. It wouldn’t even be difficult, in factthe main character doesn’t even need to come from a vault(as some games in the series have shown already). There are a million reasons to include vaults in the show, so why not do it?
