Fallout TV Series Increases Interest in Video Game Streaming

Known for its atompunk and retrofuturistic aesthetic, the Fallout universe became a mainstay of the video game era. Through iconic characters like Vault Boy and fictional products like Nuka-Cola, Fallout created a post-apocalyptic setting that many other games have attempted to emulate. This year the premiere of the television series Fallout on Amazon April 12 marked a major moment, continuing the trend of successful video game adaptations with series like Netflix’s Castlevania and HBO’s The Last of Us.

Since the premiere of the series, the number of views of Fallout games on streaming platforms has increased significantly. Prior to launch, the franchise recorded between 40,000 and 70,000 hours of viewing per day, but on the day of the premiere this figure rose to 176,000 hours, peaking at 547,000 hours five days later.

According to our colleagues from Stream Hatchet. This interest was boosted by increased sales on Steam, which offered discounts of up to 80% on Fallout games, which proved to be an effective promotion to attract new players.

Prominent figures in the streaming world such as Shroud and Rubius took advantage of this moment. Shroud, who led the way with 82,000 hours watched over four days (excluding premiere viewing parties), focused on Fallout 76 content, a prelude to the main series. For his part, Rubius had the highest average viewership per minute of 29,600 viewers while playing Fallout 4, the most recent game in the Fallout world timeline.

Fallout 76 dominates streaming demand among Fallout games

Several games have been released under its brand, but the main Fallout series, most recently including Fallout 4, remains the core of the franchise. However, both Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 76, which are also considered canon, have devoted fans due to the complexity of their narratives. Since the series premiere, Fallout 76 has generated the most demand, amassing 700,000 hours watched, followed by Fallout 4 with 656,000 hours watched. Steam sales contributed significantly to this increase in interest, with Fallout 76 reaching a record 39,000 concurrent players.

Television Adaptations of Video Games: A Growing Streaming Strategy

Fallout isn’t the first time a video game franchise has benefited from a television adaptation. Similar to what happened with The Last of Us and its HBO series, Hours watched for Fallout increased by 262%, from 513,000 to 1.9 million, from the five days before and after its television premiere.. This percentage increase exceeds that of any other franchise over similar periods of television adaptation release.

The transmedia strategy, which aims to expand video game storytelling into linear formats such as film and television, has been praised for its ability to delve deeper into the games universe while remaining respectful of its roots. The Fallout television series achieved this balance by making only minor changes to the video game canon to create a coherent story.

With no new Fallout game planned anytime soon, Bethesda took advantage of the Steam sale to keep fans happy, and is also expecting a next-gen update with a Fallout: London mod next month.