The Fallout TV show has sparked controversy among fans due to discrepancies in the treatment of the Fallout backstory. Todd Howard, director and executive producer at Bethesda, has addressed these concerns and reassured fans of the canonicity of Obsidian’s Fallout: New Vegas. Howard promises that Bethesda and Amazon are taking care to maintain consistency between the games and the TV series. Let’s delve deeper into the controversy and Howard’s response to it.
Exploring the Fallout TV Show Blackboard Incident
In the Fallout TV show, there is a blackboard sketch that raises questions about the timeline of events in the series. The sketch features “The fall of Shady Sands” and “2277” with an arrow pointing to a mushroom cloud, implying that the capital of the New California Republic, Shady Sands, was nuked in 2277. This contradicts the events depicted in Fallout: New Vegas, where Shady Sands and the NCR are thriving several years after 2277. Howard clarified that the nuking of Shady Sands occurs after the events of Fallout: New Vegas, not in 2277 as implied by the blackboard message.
Howard addressed the controversy in an interview, stating that there is no clash between the Fallout TV show and the events of the game series. He attributed the idea of nuking Shady Sands to the showrunners, Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet. Howard emphasized the importance of this event as a pivotal story moment that anchors various elements in the show. He acknowledged that there may be some confusion regarding the timeline but assured fans that everything from the previous games, including New Vegas, remains part of the canon.
Interpreting Howard’s Explanation
While Howard’s reassurance attempts to align the TV show with established Fallout lore, some fans remain skeptical. The absence of a direct mention of the blackboard message in his explanation leaves room for interpretation. One possible explanation is that the “fall of Shady Sands” began in 2277 and culminated in the city’s destruction post-Fallout: New Vegas events. Another theory is that the blackboard date was an error made by the production team, and Howard chose not to disclose this information.
Amidst the ongoing controversy, there is speculation about a potential Fallout announcement in November. Fans are eager to see how the Fallout TV show will evolve in its second season and whether it will address the concerns raised by the current timeline discrepancies. A trailer for Season 2 could offer insights into the direction of the show and how it intends to maintain coherence with the established Fallout lore.
Todd Howard’s response to the Fallout TV show controversy attempts to reassure fans of the series’ consistency with the game universe. However, the lingering questions surrounding the blackboard incident and the potential fallout from Season 1 discrepancies leave room for further debate. As the Fallout franchise continues to expand across multiple mediums, maintaining fidelity to its rich lore remains a crucial aspect for both creators and fans alike.