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The Fallout TV series has made a triumphant return to streaming services, and it's safe to say that viewers were agreeably astonished by the quality of its initial run. By depicting the retro-futuristic, post-apocalyptic United States through the eyes of three different characters, it managed to capture various facets of the gamer's journey.

There was Lucy the vault dweller, attempting to act with integrity and learning that the barren landscape made that incredibly hard; Max, the Brotherhood of Steel new recruit, who starts doubting his organization's authority and creates significant chaos in robotic power armour; and Walton Goggins's character, a standout performance who has entirely abandoned any moral compass out in the radioactive badlands.

Setting the Stage for Season Two

The debut season's ending disclosed a major secret about who helped cause the nuclear war that trapped a society in bomb-proof bunkers for an extended period. It also posed several enigmas unresolved for the upcoming chapter – and, this time, expectations are much greater.

“We’ll take ‘not terrible’ – we should print that on merchandise,” says Jonah Nolan.

“Starting the initial season, people were like, ‘Just don't mess it up’,” states Todd Howard. “We are ecstatic with the reception to the show, so now people are coming in with more eagerness and altered expectations.”

The Mojave Beckons for Season Two

The new season is taking place in New Vegas, the location of the 2010’s game Fallout: New Vegas, which is widely regarded for having the sharpest dialogue and cast in the series, even if it was technically flawed at launch.

“It’s more of a sun-baked feel, a Mojave vibe, that’s so essential to that game,” explains Nolan. “That dusty, blasted-out Route 66 feeling of the game is so much rewarding to incorporate into the show.”

In the series narrative, a long time has elapsed since the events of the New Vegas game by the time the protagonists make their way there. Nevertheless, the creators suggest that it does reference the player’s journey.

The Importance of Physical Sets

The Fallout TV series is notable for its tactile feel – its makers insisted on authentic items and environments were built, reflecting the makeshift nature of the settlements in the games.

“Being a genre enthusiast, so many productions I watch, I’m conscious that they’re all standing in front of a green screen,” comments another of the showrunners. “The primary goal of an adaptation, particularly of a interactive medium, is to seem like it’s authentic.”

In fact, almost every element you see on-screen is physical, including the notoriously frightening mutated beasts known as Deathclaws. In the show, they are created using puppets, and were apparently pretty frightening up close.

A Labor of Love

The Fallout series resonates because it is made by accomplished storytellers who are also dedicated players, alongside the game developers behind the franchise. This mutual respect for the universe is apparent in the final product.

The second season is launching on a weekly basis rather than as a full-season drop, marking a change from the previous season. This format will create a altered audience reaction, something the team themselves are looking forward to engage with.

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