Fallout's Hidden Origins: A Wasteland Legacy
The acclaimed post-apocalyptic RPG, Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game, was originally conceived not just as a spiritual successor, but as a direct sequel to the 1980s cult classic Wasteland. This surprising revelation comes from Interplay co-founder Brian Fargo, who stated that development on this version continued for several months before legal obstacles forced a change in direction.
According to Fargo, the decision to pivot was driven by the need to avoid potential legal action from Electronic Arts, who held the rights to the Wasteland name at the time. Speaking on the game's early days, Fargo explained, “Many don't know, but [Fallout] was a continuation of Wasteland. People don't know what was behind it. It all started with tunnels and trolls, then we needed a system – with mercenaries, spies, and private detectives – that's how the skill system in Wasteland appeared, and then it transferred to Fallout. We actually worked on this for some time, but after several months we had to turn away from this path. People forgot, but the Shadowclaws back then became Deathclaws. We did everything we could so Electronic Arts wouldn't sue us – we tried not to go too far.”
Indeed, there are many parallels between the two series. Wasteland players fought against mutants and rogue AI, encountered fanatical groups guarding ancient technology, and explored radioactive ruins, including a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas – themes that would later become hallmarks of the Fallout universe, long before Fallout: New Vegas.
A Different Perspective from Tim Cain
Interestingly, Tim Cain, the original creator of Fallout, offers a slightly different perspective on the game's development. In an interview, Cain acknowledged the natural association and Fargo's desire for a Wasteland 2, but maintained that it didn't fundamentally alter their course. “People have a natural association: all this grew out of Fargo's Wasteland, and when he found out we were making a post-apocalyptic game, he really wanted it to be Wasteland 2. In the end, he never got the rights to the name, and we replied that the idea was great, but it didn't affect our course at all. We didn't change anything like 'let's make this more like Wasteland.' We were still making our own game,” Cain clarified.
The Fallout We Know Today
While Interplay ultimately couldn't secure the rights to the Wasteland name, this forced pivot arguably benefited the Fallout series in the long run. The change in title allowed the concept to evolve into something uniquely its own, moving beyond an unofficial continuation to become one of the most iconic symbols of the RPG genre. Today, it’s hard to imagine the world without the Brotherhood of Steel, Ghouls, or the NCR. Under Bethesda's stewardship, the Fallout series has grown even further in popularity, reaching a massive global audience.
Post a Comment