Bethesda Eyes Fallout TV Series for Game Inspiration
Todd Howard hints at Fallout’s future as Bethesda explores weaving elements from the TV series into upcoming games. With season 3 in the works, cross-media plans are already being discussed.
Prime Video’s second outing for the Fallout television adaptation has only just landed, yet Bethesda’s Todd Howard is already pondering which aspects from the next series might find a home in the iconic game universe. While viewers are still digesting the latest episodes, the studio’s creative lead has confirmed that work on a third season is already underway, and conversations about cross-pollination between the two mediums are gathering pace.
Season 3 in Development and Cross-Media Dialogue
Howard, who has long steered the post-apocalyptic franchise, recently shared that the writing process for the next instalment is in full swing.
“For us on the game and TV show side, we're writing season 3 now,”
he remarked, highlighting the close collaboration between the teams. What’s particularly intriguing is the ongoing discussion about how the television narrative might influence the digital wastelands players have come to know.
He elaborated,
“We're having those conversations now of, what are we doing in season 3 for the TV show, and what elements can we bring into our games at that time when it comes out that don't feel forced or fake.”
The aim, it seems, is to ensure any crossover feels organic rather than contrived, maintaining the integrity of both experiences.
Potential Game Updates and Franchise Evolution
Howard’s more sceptical side suspects that any immediate crossover will likely appear in Fallout 76, the multiplayer entry that has already welcomed characters from the streaming adaptation. Earlier this year, the Burning Springs expansion introduced Walton Goggins’ The Ghoul, a figure familiar to fans of the show, suggesting a precedent for such integrations.
Meanwhile, speculation continues around a possible remaster of Fallout 3. However, Howard is doubtful that Bethesda would retrofit a new storyline into a title approaching its twentieth anniversary, especially given the studio’s approach to other remastered projects like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. The focus, for now, appears to be on subtle, timely updates rather than sweeping narrative overhauls.
Looking Ahead: Fallout 5 and Studio Priorities
As for the prospect of a major crossover in the much-anticipated Fallout 5, Howard advises fans to temper their expectations. He has previously noted that developing a new entry in the series typically takes around five years, and with the team currently dedicating its efforts to The Elder Scrolls 6, any significant developments in the Fallout universe are likely some way off.
For now, enthusiasts will have to content themselves with incremental updates and the promise of future synergy between the worlds of television and gaming, as Bethesda continues to explore the boundaries of its post-nuclear playground.