The cameras are rolling once again for the second season of Amazon’s Fallout TV series. Even though it’ll be a while before we catch Lucy, Maximus, and The Ghoul diving into their New Vegas adventures, the buzz surrounding the show is already unmistakable.
The first season had a noticeable impact on Fallout game traffic, enticing players back to titles like Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. The connection wasn’t just thematic; Fallout 76 featured some minor crossover elements, such as unique in-game outfits inspired by the show. After the show’s unexpected success, it was natural to wonder whether season two might bring more significant crossovers. In a recent interview focused on playable ghouls and other features, I caught up with Fallout 76’s lead producer, Bill LaCoste, to get his take on the matter.
“I’d expect the approach to remain fairly consistent,” LaCoste shared. “We have a deep respect for the TV show’s narrative and characters, just as we do for the plot we’re crafting in Fallout 76. Our timelines are miles apart, which limits our ability to mesh the two worlds seamlessly. We aim for any crossover elements to make sense, aligning with both the TV show and our game while coexisting within the broader story universe.”
When asked about potential expansions directly inspired by the show, LaCoste explained, “We’re not looking to excessively tailor the game to mirror the TV series. It’s important for fans to appreciate the series for what it is and value our game for its own merits, without getting caught up in needless fan service. We include things like the Vault 33 suit because it has a justified place in our world, but beyond that, we intend to keep it subtle.”
So, expect a little cross-pollination where it makes sense, without anything that might feel jarringly out of place amidst Appalachia’s eccentric landscape of mothman cults and mammoth serpents. Sarcasm aside, it’ll be fascinating to see Bethesda’s plans for Fallout’s gaming front with the second season in mind, especially given the stir caused by the absence of a new game with the first season’s debut.
In the meantime, we can all enjoy the new playable ghoul feature in Fallout 76, while keeping an eye on any tantalizing leaks from the set of Fallout season two.
