The Fallout franchise is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, thanks to Amazon’s live-action Fallout TV series. Fallout 76, the multiplayer RPG that initially faced heavy criticism upon its release six years ago, has seen a significant increase in active players, with over one million players in a single day. Bethesda Game Studios also reported nearly five million active players across the entire Fallout franchise.
The success of Fallout 76’s comeback can be attributed to the continuous updates and improvements made by Bethesda over the years. The release of the Wastelanders expansion in 2020, which introduced human NPCs and more story quests, helped to change the perception of the game and attract more players.
The impact of Amazon’s Fallout TV series on the franchise is undeniable, as players are revisiting older games like Fallout: New Vegas and the original Fallout to immerse themselves in the post-apocalyptic world while waiting for Season 2 of the show. Player numbers for all games in the franchise have been on the rise, with Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 4 experiencing a surge in concurrent players on Steam.
The TV series serves as a fantastic introduction to the Fallout universe, connecting back to multiple games in unexpected ways and enticing viewers to explore the games to fully understand the story. With Bethesda’s upcoming next-gen update for Fallout 4, even more players are expected to join in on the Fallout craze sparked by Amazon’s adaptation.