“Each game is a chapter”: Todd Howard Adapted an Original Story for the Fallout TV Show Because as a Fan He Wanted “to see something new”

In the gaming world, very few series have made as much impact as Fallout. With its rich narratives, engaging gameplay, and immersive post-apocalyptic landscapes, the series captivated millions. And it didn’t stop there, instead, the series boldly leaped into television and proved that its narrative can thrive on the small screen as well.

The TV show adds a new and exciting story to the series. | Image Credit: Bethesda Game Studios

However, instead of following the plot of an existing game, the creative team behind the TV show decided to venture into uncharted territory with an entirely original story. Why? Todd Howard saw an opportunity to expand the horizons further and give fans something unexpected to enjoy.

Fallout TV show expanded the post-apocalyptic world of video games

Howard explained why exploring a new narrative was encouraged. | Image Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

The Fallout TV show marked an exciting new chapter in the series. By crafting an original story for the show, the showrunners created something that not only honors the franchise’s legacy but also expands its horizons by introducing something fresh and unexpected.

In the interview, Howard explained his reasoning for the show not adapting one of the intriguing stories of the video games. He emphasized that every new entry in the series should push the timeline forward and add its own unique flavor to the universe.

Well, it’s just how I view the franchise – each game is a chapter, everything we do is a chapter that moves the timeline a little bit, is its own unique thing.

From his perspective, the true protagonist of the series is not the player character, it’s the game world itself. The sprawling wastelands, the retro-futuristic culture, and the stories of survival, decay, and hope are what make the series unique. He said:

As a fan too, I would want to see something new, that’s set in the world […] It’s also about giving other creatives, that you really respect and trust the chance to see what they can do with it as well.

This philosophy allowed the creative team behind the show to explore fresh narratives within the expansive universe, crafting something that complements rather than reuses one of the stories from the games.

For Howard, this is what made the project special. He loved how the show (with its extra time unlike a movie adaptation) explored new corners of the already unexpected world without losing its essence, bringing a fresh and new chapter to the post-apocalyptic saga.

Innovating while honoring the series

Fans are looking forward to Season 2. | Image Credit: Bethesda Game Studios

Even though the TV adaptation features an original plot with new characters, staying true to the spirit of the series was non-negotiable from the get-go. In the same interview, Howard shared that he and the show’s team established a detailed set of ground rules to ensure the series felt authentic.

While creating an original story was encouraged, aligning the new story with the established world and its lore was the crucial part. To maintain the authenticity, Howard and showrunners made sure that any new additions to the timeline were consistent with the games’ canon.

There was a whole page. […]I also wanted them to make it authentic from a storytelling perspective. As the showrunners go to do that, we made sure we’re in sync and had conversations.

The collaborative process during the development process was the key to showcasing the familiar feeling of the game’s world but creating something new and innovative. With Season 1’s success, fans are eager to see where the story goes next.

The release date for Season 2 has not yet been announced, but fans can look forward to a series that fills in blanks, deepens the lore, and brings a new dimension to the post-apocalyptic saga.

In the end, the bold leap into television is more than just an adaptation for Howard; it’s a love letter to the world of Fallout, proving that its legacy has only just begun.