The Fallout series and how it’s adapted to become a successful video game adaptation.

Video games and movies traditionally have not done well when made into one another. There have been numerous video game adaptations to motion pictures; however, very few have succeeded in satisfying the gamers and the general audiences.

Fallout is different because it has developed its own identity from the outset. This has opened up the conversation about what makes a video game adaptation successful.

What did Fallout do that made it more successful than other video game adaptations?

Respecting Video Games’ Origins, but Not Being Tied to Them

The way that Fallout is respectful of the source material is one of the series’ biggest strengths. Instead of creating an identical movie based on a specific game, Fallout has created an original universe that exists alongside the games. This allows long-time fans of the franchise to still find familiar elements—such as vaults, factions and retro future technologies—and experience those things within a new context.

At the same time, new fans can enjoy the story as a standalone entity and do not need to have played the game to follow the story. This ability to appeal to both audiences is a rare achievement for video game adaptations.

Approximately 10-15% of Fallout’s storytelling is built upon surface-level fan service such as Easter eggs and references; however, the remaining 85-90% is focused on creating a rich environment in which the post-apocalyptic tale occurs.