Fallout S2 Confirms New Vegas 'Fog of War' Canon
In a groundbreaking revelation set to redefine the lore landscape for fans worldwide, the creators of Amazon’s critically acclaimed Fallout television series have officially confirmed their ingenious approach to integrating the multiple endings of Fallout: New Vegas into the upcoming second season. Eschewing the traditional method of canonizing a single outcome, the showrunners have adopted a "fog of war" strategy, promising to honor every player's unique journey through the beloved Obsidian Entertainment RPG. This pivotal decision addresses a significant fan debate and ensures the show’s narrative integrity within the expansive Fallout timeline.
The "Fog of War" Doctrine Explained
Executive Producer, Creator, and Showrunner Geneva Robertson-Dworet, alongside Executive Producer Jonathan Nolan, unveiled this innovative solution in an exclusive interview with IGN. Nolan lauded the "fog of war approach," conceived by Robertson-Dworet and co-showrunner Graham Wagner, as "an absolutely brilliant way to make a bit of an end run around that whole question." Robertson-Dworet further elaborated on the early decision, stating, "we wanted to try, as much as possible in our show, to honor all gamers' experiences and all the choices they might make as they play the game. So we always wanted to avoid trying to make one canonical ending the ending that led to the events of the show." The essence of this strategy is that, 15 years post-game events, "every faction might think they won," a poetic interpretation that acknowledges the subjective nature of history itself.
New Vegas Factions: A Post-Game Reality Check
The Fallout TV show is set in 2296, a full 15 years after the conclusion of Fallout: New Vegas and nine years following Fallout 4. This timeline necessitated a delicate handling of New Vegas's branching narratives, which saw the player, known as The Courier, potentially secure victory for themselves, Mr. House, Caesar's Legion, or the New California Republic. While trailers have already hinted at Mr. House's presence in Season 2, seemingly alive (or 'sort of' alive) when the main characters arrive in New Vegas, this does not signify a definitive canon ending. Instead, the "fog of war" allows for his survival while maintaining ambiguity over the larger geopolitical outcome.
However, not all factions share in this ambiguous "victory." Jonathan Nolan regretfully teased a dire fate for the fan-favorite minor faction, The Kings. Known for their Elvis impersonation-inspired lifestyle, The Kings have not fared well in the intervening 15 years, with some confirmed to have tragically become ghouls. Nolan hinted at a universal struggle for all factions post-conflict, stating, "in any version of the ending, there'd be some rebuilding to be done," and that the meticulously protected "sanctity of Vegas" has been "removed or violated," leading to widespread hardship.
Bringing The Strip and Freeside to Life
Beyond the intricate narrative decisions, the creative team has invested heavily in the visual authenticity of Fallout: New Vegas's iconic locations. Robertson-Dworet described The Strip as "a very sacred kind of location," emphasizing the feeling of entering "the heart of the game" upon arrival. Production designer Howard Cummings spearheaded the monumental task of recreating The Strip by transforming an abandoned shopping mall, achieving a "phenomenal" scale. Meanwhile, Freeside, another crucial New Vegas district, found its real-world counterpart on the same historic street used for Westworld and Deadwood, adding layers of cinematic legacy to the Fallout universe.
Fans can prepare to witness this canonical balancing act and stunning environmental design when Fallout Season 2 premieres on December 17.