Fallout 76 | Bethesda

UNTIL RECENTLY, fans of video games were plagued by rather harmful stereotypes that labelled them as nerds at best, and incels at worst. But with the recent wave of video-game-to-TV adaptations we’ve seen gracing our screens, gamers have been vindicated and are now celebrated as the storytelling trendsetters they really are.

Video game adaptations have proven to be quite the untapped market in terms of source material. If you were never compelled to fight off hordes of zombies when The Last of Us first gained traction in the gamerverse, but fancied spending your evenings with Pedro Pascal as he navigated through the post-apocalyptic United States once the game became a show, you’re not alone. The Last of Us has been the television smash hit of 2023 (so far), and it showed that while video games aren’t for everyone, the stories they tell certainly can be.

Amazon Prime Video has finally provided an update on one of its most anticipated upcoming series’. More than three years since it was announced that a live-action Fallout series was in development, a release date has been set for—drumroll please—sometime in 2024. Yikes. Fans were probably hoping for a slightly more specific timeframe, but we doubt a little ambiguity will temper their excitement.

While followers of Bethesda’s acclaimed series bide their time until their favourite game turns into a show, let’s go over what we can expect from Fallout once it eventually emerges from its vault, and whether it can hold up against the rock stars of video game adaptations.

What do we know about the Fallout live-action series?

For those unfamiliar with the Fallout universe, the games are set after the—you guessed it—fallout of a nuclear war. Fallout showcases the aftermath of nuclear war in the post-apocalyptic USA, which is desperately trying to rebuild and salvage some semblance of civilisation. Across the barren wasteland of America, radiation, mutated creatures and unfriendly encounters abound as survival is anything but assured.

Since the Fallout live-action series was first announced in 2020, details on its premise, or even its developmental progress, have been few and far between. That was until Amazon Prime’s X account shared a post revealing the series’ approximate release date in 2024, and that it would be set in Los Angeles.

It isn’t yet known whether Fallout’s story will follow the same storyline as its source material (à la The Last of Us), but it bears mentioning that the original Fallout game was set on the USA’s west coast, and in Los Angeles. But that could just be a coincidence. Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy have signed on to write and direct the series, and Walter Goggins will star, but further casting reveals are still to come.

Bethesda, the developers behind the Fallout franchise, have said they’ve been wanting to expand into the live-action genre for more than a decade. Developers have stated the adaptation will adopt a “serious and harsh” tone, with ample “ironic humour” and “B-movie nuclear fantasies.”

Does Fallout have The Last of Us potential?

In their basic essence, Fallout and The Last of Us tick many of the same boxes. Set in the post-apocalypse? Check. Video game source material with a dedicated cult following? Check. A hunky leading man that positively exudes dad vibes? Well, The Last of Us has one in Pedro Pascal, we can only hope Fallout takes a similar path.

The Last of Us received a whopping 24 Emmy nominations for its debut season and ingrained itself on a society which has been severely lacking in grisly zombie thriller’s as of late. Surpassing, or even equalling, that impact will be a tall order for Fallout, but the potential is there. More than simply mimicking The Last of Us’ gritty perspective on the post-apocalypse, Fallout will need to find its own identity, perhaps with a relatively lighter tone—although there’s not much to be cheerful about in a radioactive wasteland.

What video games have been made into TV shows?

HBO

The Last of Us

The post-apocalypse had never looked as heart-warming and, at times, as terrifying, as it did in the debut season of The Last of Us. The series captured the hearts of viewers and firmly cemented Pedro Pascal’s place as the internet’s daddy before earning a ridiculous 24 Emmy nominations. And there’s good news, a second season is on the way.

Netflix

The Witcher

Netflix’s The Witcher is an adaptation of an adaptation. Originally a series of six fantasy novels and 15 short stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, the first of which was published in 1986, The Witcher became a role-playing video game in 2007 and spawned two more games. Finally, Netflix saw the games potential as a live-action series and has delivered three seasons of spellbinding fantasy television. Liam Hemsworth will be taking the reins from Henry Cavill as the shows leading man from its next season, best to get ahead of the hype while you can.

Peacock

Twisted Metal

Twisted Metal is based on a classic game of the same name that ’90s kids will remember fondly. Starring Anthony Mackie, Twisted Metal takes place in yet another post-apocalyptic wasteland and follows a crass outsider who will do whatever it takes to ensure his own survival in pursuit of a better life.

Netflix

League of Legends (Arcane)

Ok fine, League of Legends doesn’t have the typical plot-driven elements that make it ripe for a live-action adaptation, but it does have a massive following and interesting lore. Naturally, Arcane takes inspiration from its source material, but tells an entirely unique animated story of two sisters fighting a war of clashing convictions for opposing causes.

Paramount+

Halo

Halo is one of the bestselling and most popular video game series’ of all time. Although its adaptation is… less than popular, but still worth a watch. For fans of the sci-fi/fantasy genre, the good of this exploration of the Halo universe definitely outweighs the bad and offers a new perspective on a beloved franchise.

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