Summary
It feels like the video game industry may be entering a golden era when it comes to high-quality adaptations. After films like 1993’sSuper Mario Bros., it seemed like there was no hope for video game adaptations. But now, that seems to be changing thanks tothe likes ofSonic the Hedgehog,Detective Pikachu, andThe Super Mario Bros. Movie. And that newfound success is not reserved for just the big screen, as TV shows likeThe Last of UsandFallouthave recently blown audiences away.
The release ofFallouton Amazon makes those two post-apocalyptic video game series getting fantastic adaptations in the last couple of years.The Last of Uswas so popular that it even seemed to push past players and hook those who may have never touched the game before. It remains to be seen ifFalloutcan do the same, but even if it cannot, this show has put the entire franchise in the spotlight once more. Yet, just like with Naughty Dog before it, Bethesda does not seem super interested in capitalizing on it with something big.
Naughty Dog and Bethesda Are Missing Out on the Hype
Fallout and The Last of Us Are On the Top of the World Right Now
The weekly releases of HBO’sThe Last of Usadaptation were a sensation across the internet. Gamers and non-gamers were discussing everything the show had to offer, and its writing would end up netting it multiple awards. It was so successful that it had the second-biggest premiere viewership for an HBO show since 2010, and those numbers would only grow as the series went on. However, Naughty Dog did not do anything major with the IP during that time.
That was Naughty Dog’s chance to capitalize on this newfound hype with new projects and announcements. Even if it is years out, this was the perfect time to at least discuss whata possibleLast of Us Part 3might look like. Additionally, the studio could have shown off any other planned projects inThe Last of Usuniverse. Instead, it just ended up releasing a remake of the first game a couple of months before the show premiered. Outside of that, there was nothing massive for fans to keep their eye on as the show topped the charts.
Now, it seems like Bethesda may be following in those footsteps withAmazon’s newFalloutshow. The show has just been released, and so far, it has been met with rave reviews. People seem to be loving it, and social media is abuzz with conversations about the entire franchise. Yet, all that the studio has announced so far is the release date forFallout 4’s next-gen update, a couple of show tie-ins within other games, and a few bonus events. While it may have more up its sleeve as the months go by, it currently seems like it is not capitalizing on this popularity as it could be.
Of course, these studios don’t owe their fans anything, and waiting to announce or reveal anything until they are prepared to do so should always take precedence over a hype bandwagon.
Now Would Have Been the Perfect Time to Discuss the Futures of These Franchises
These shows have been massive hits for their respective streaming services and video game franchises, making it a great time for even more projects. Not only are old fans paying attention, but these series have also helped make new fans, and those fans likely want to engross themselves in the world further.
These studios not discussingthe future ofThe Last of UsorFalloutisn’t all too surprising, but if there was ever an ideal time to do so it would’ve been now. The nextFalloutisn’t expected until afterThe Elder Scrolls 6anyway, so assumingFallout 5would be announced so soon might be far-fetched, for example. Either way, both studios will likely ride this wave of live-action popularity and infuse that hype into their next projects, whenever they get announced or revealed.
Fallout 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, invite you to the ambitious open world of Fallout 4. Do whatever you want in a massive Commonwealth with hundreds of locations, characters and quests.As the sole survivor of Vault 111, only you can rebuild and determine the fate of the Wasteland. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone - the choices are yours.From a Power Armor-toting soldier to the charismatic smooth-talker, be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system and develop your own playstyle from hundreds of Perks.Experience exciting first- or third-person combat with the dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, or V.A.T.S., targeting enemies for maximum tactical advantage (and cinematic carnage!) Collect, upgrade and build thousands of items with Fallout 4’s crafting system. Weapons, armor, food and with the right materials, even entire settlements are possible. Welcome home.
