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Following the premiere of the Amazon Prime Video *Fallout* television series in April 2024, the *Fallout* game franchise experienced a significant surge in popularity. According to a Sensor Tower report, daily active users (DAU) for *Fallout 3* and *Fallout 4* were 225% higher in the weeks following the show’s debut. This increase reflects a broader trend of renewed interest in the *Fallout* universe, impacting various games in the series.
Impact on Player Engagement
The success of the *Fallout* TV series has had a notable impact on player engagement across the *Fallout* game franchise. Todd Howard of Bethesda noted that the increase in daily players was “beyond anything I’ve ever seen in my 30 years of doing this.” He mentioned that depending on the specific *Fallout* game, there was a 4-6x increase in daily players. This surge is attributed to both new players and returning fans drawn in by the show’s popularity.
Sales and Downloads
In addition to increased player counts, the *Fallout* TV series also drove sales of the games. Sensor Tower reported that sales of *Fallout 3* and *Fallout 4* increased by 125% and 410%, respectively, during the week of the show’s premiere. This sales boost was likely influenced by price drops for both games during that period.
Fallout Shelter
The mobile spin-off game, *Fallout Shelter*, also benefited from the TV show’s popularity. The game saw a 77% increase in DAUs, and in-app purchase revenue jumped by 150%. This indicates that the TV series successfully attracted new players to the mobile game and encouraged existing players to spend more within the app.
Fallout 76
*Fallout 76*, the online multiplayer installment, also experienced a substantial boost. The game reached over one million players in a single day. On Steam, *Fallout 76* hit a new peak of 39,455 concurrent users. The game’s popularity led Bethesda to offer a free play week and discounts on the Standard and Deluxe Editions. Players could also claim a free Vault 33 jumpsuit in the game, and Game Pass Ultimate members received a Vault 33 Survival Kit.
Concurrent Player Numbers
The *Fallout* games saw significant spikes in concurrent player numbers on Steam. *Fallout 4* peaked at around 83,000 concurrent players, compared to its previous monthly peaks of around 25,000. *Fallout 76* more than doubled its average monthly peak, reaching around 39,500 concurrent players. Even *Fallout: New Vegas* saw a surge, with 20,000 players online at once.
Broader Impact on the Fallout Franchise
The positive reception of the *Fallout* TV series has revitalized interest in the entire *Fallout* franchise. Microsoft reported that total playtime of *Fallout* games on Xbox Game Pass increased nearly five times over. This includes not only *Fallout 4*, *Fallout 76*, and *Fallout: New Vegas* but also PC-only titles like *Fallout 1* and *Fallout 2*.
Financial Gains
VG Insights estimated that *Fallout 4* sold 2 million copies and *Fallout 76* sold 1.5 million units as a direct result of the show’s popularity. They also estimated that Bethesda earned around $30 million from licensing the IP to Amazon for the show. This brings the total estimated revenue from the show’s popularity to around $80 million, not including sales of other *Fallout* games or in-app purchases for *Fallout Shelter*.
The Last of Us and Minecraft
Sensor Tower also analyzed the impact of other film and television adaptations on their respective game franchises. *The Last of Us Part 1* and *Part 2* saw a 40% increase in DAUs following the premiere of the show’s second season. *A Minecraft Movie* led to a 44% increase in mobile in-app purchases and a 36% increase on console games.
Fallout 4’s Next-Gen Update
Bethesda released a next-gen update for *Fallout 4* on April 25, further boosting the game’s popularity. *Fallout 4* reached 167,000 concurrent players. The update fixed bugs and improved performance, particularly on consoles, making the game more appealing to both new and returning players.
A Unique Moment
The success of the *Fallout* TV series and its impact on the game franchise highlights a unique moment in the gaming industry. Todd Howard emphasized the significance of introducing new players to the *Fallout* universe through the TV adaptation, describing it as a “really, really unique moment.”
Lessons Learned
The *Fallout* franchise’s resurgence demonstrates the potential for successful transmedia storytelling. The TV series has not only attracted new audiences but has also reinvigorated interest in the existing games. This highlights the importance of creating a cohesive and engaging fictional world that can be expanded across multiple platforms.
Future Implications
With Amazon announcing a second season of the *Fallout* TV series, the *Fallout* game franchise is expected to maintain its increased player base and continue to attract new players. The success of the *Fallout* adaptation could also encourage other game developers to explore similar opportunities for expanding their franchises into film and television.