Fallout on Amazon Prime Video was well-received by the fans of the source material, and the studio has already greenlit the second season. Bethesda CEO and game director Todd Howard was heavily involved in the decision-making process of certain events, like what transpired in Shady Sands.
Fans believed that the series did a straight-up retcon, yet according to Howard, every game that predates the series is canon to the official timeline, and it all happened. However, one creative change has taken Howard aback, but he eventually agreed.
Todd Howard Confirms All Fallout Games Are Still Canon
Amazon Prime Studios has dropped the full first season which was a drastic change from its weekly release formula, and it was critically acclaimed by both fans and critics alike. Several key changes in the series could hurt the timeline and were brought up in an interview that Howard cleared up. It involves the events of Fallout: New Vegas about the Fall of Shady Sands, but the game director and producer has now explained.
All I can say is we’re threading it tighter there, but the bomb falls just after the events of New Vegas. That’s when Shady Sands blows.
The producer’s brief answer not only cleared up the confusion but also reaffirmed that New Vegas is canon regardless of the different developer and that Bethesda acknowledges it entirely. Howard has an emotional connection with the site because of the history behind it, but he does not undermine the skill of Jonah Nolan and his creative team and praises them for knowing the lore.
It is only right for a director like Howard to be very protective of the universe he built, but he has put a lot of emphasis on what is in front of him, which is the live-action show.
Look, we are tight on the dates, if you really want to get into it. But what’s important is when the show takes place. What is happening in the time period of the show? And that’s what’s most important to us.
Regardless of what others may think, Howard would not have agreed to the creative change if it would not benefit the original story and expansion both teams were trying to deliver. The existing lore can be an advantage and a disadvantage for Nolan, but Howard encouraged the director to not adapt but to develop a new story that shares the same timeline as the previous games.
Todd Howard is Very Protective of the Fallout Franchise
Translating a franchise to another format can be daunting and tricky but Howard gave Nolan and the team of writers the support and encouragement they needed. Nolan worked on the project without the mindset of having to be equal or on par with the success of the games but he did his best to build upon it.
The events of Shady Sands have stirred up a lot of controversy and confusion but when the man who jumpstarted the entire franchise has offered a straight answer then it is best to take his answer with the utmost respect. Perhaps Bethesda and Todd Howard will release an official timeline of Fallout to put the minds of fans at ease.
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