The second season of Fallout, Prime Video’s hit television series based on the popular video game franchise, has been released—further cementing its reputation as one of the most successful video game adaptations in recent years.
Set in a darkly satirical, post-apocalyptic world devastated by nuclear war, Fallout won over both longtime fans of the games and newcomers unfamiliar with the franchise. Its success has not only boosted the show’s popularity but has also had a major impact on Bethesda Softworks, the studio behind the original games.
For years, video game adaptations in Hollywood were criticised for straying too far from their source material and delivering disappointing results. That perception began to change with HBO’s The Last of Us in 2023, which closely followed its game’s storyline and earned critical acclaim.
Fallout, however, took a different path. Unlike the linear storytelling of The Last of Us, the Fallout games are built around open worlds, branching narratives and player choice. This made direct adaptation difficult, pushing the show’s creators to craft a new story that fits within the established universe rather than retelling a single game’s plot.
Todd Howard, director at Bethesda Game Studios, said he had been approached about adapting Fallout as early as 2009 but only moved forward after meeting executive producer Jonathan Nolan. Their shared passion for the franchise helped build trust between the TV producers and the game developers, ensuring the show stayed true to the spirit of the games.
One key decision was to keep the TV series “canon,” meaning the events of the show fit directly into the official Fallout timeline. Bethesda’s design director Emil Pagliarulo said this required close collaboration, frequent consultation and sometimes last-minute checks to ensure accuracy.
Beyond creative success, the show delivered major commercial benefits. Following the release of season one, sales of Fallout games surged. Fallout 4 topped sales charts nearly a decade after its release, while Fallout 76—once heavily criticised—reached record player numbers as new fans joined after watching the series.
Bethesda developers say the influx of players has influenced ongoing game updates and future plans. Todd Howard confirmed that the upcoming Fallout 5 will exist in a world shaped by the events of the TV show.
With season two taking viewers to the fan-favourite location New Vegas, Fallout continues to demonstrate what many see as the secret of a perfect video game adaptation: respect for the original world, close collaboration with creators, and storytelling that works equally well for gamers and non-gamers alike.