Fallout: why the Amazon Prime Video show is set in the game's continuity (and not rebooting the whole thing)

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If you've ever played one of the Fallout games since its debut in 1997, you know there's a lot to it. So the decision for Amazon's Prime Video live-action show Fallout to not be an adaptation or a reboot, but instead to be a part of the same game continuity. When that was revealed, it was met with a sense of shock and awe at what it means - and the promise of what it could mean.

As it turns out, the Fallout TV show was never ever going to be a reboot or adaptation of what already existed, but always intended to be part of the canon of the franchise as established by the games

"It was the assumption that we would do that, between Geneva and I, from the jump," Fallout co-showrunner Graham Wagner tells Popverse. "Simply because that’s been the shape of every Fallout instalment, going back to ’97. And they all worked, so why would we reinvent the wheel?"

Wagner laughs at this moment, adding "Like, there was no retelling; Fallout 4 was not a retelling of Fallout 2, or what have you. So, we just thought, ‘Let’s do what works, and just try from there.’"

Wagner says that there was no pushback or debate with Amazon or Bethesda about this approach either.

"Luckily, everyone agreed. And the reality of trying to adapt a [role-playing game], where everyone’s experience of playing the game is wildly different – it felt like we’d pull our brains out trying to accomplish that," he explains. "So, we just thought [we’d] build a whole new space on top of the amazing work that’s been done over the years in the Fallout world."

By being part of game Fallout canon instead of its own thing, the Fallout TV show has already begun working its way into the games, much to Wagner's joy.

"Well, we’re already seeing a little, pop-ups here and there in Fallout ’76, which is a live sort-of living thing that can grow and change as we go," says Wagner. "Every time something like that happens, we’re tickled pink. But we’re not in a spot of telling [Bethesda Game Studios director and Fallout executive producer] Todd Howard what to do."

Read our full interview with the Fallout showrunners now. Fallout season 1 debuts April 11 on Prime Video.

Get ready to get out of your Vault and into the Fallout world - with our help, of course. Here is a guide to the Fallout timeline, how to play and watch all of Fallout, details on the Fallout cast, how the Fallout cast & crew really get the harsh humor we're looking for, as well as a Q&A with Fallout showrunners Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner.