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Why Todd Howard is pointing viewers to Fallout 76
As the Fallout TV series returns for a much-anticipated second season set in the neon-dusted sprawl of New Vegas, Bethesda executive producer Todd Howard has a surprising suggestion for fans who want to dive into the videogame side of the franchise: play Fallout 76. In a short interview with GamesRadar, Howard explained that Fallout 76 currently receives the most active development and live content support from Bethesda — making it a practical, living gateway into the world the show explores.
Howard highlighted the freshly released Burning Springs update and the addition of The Ghoul — voiced by Walton Goggins — as examples of how the game’s current content can echo the tone and characters viewers will see on screen. For newcomers, the pitch is simple: if you want an ongoing, multiplayerized Fallout experience that’s being expanded in parallel with the series, 76 is the place to start.
New Vegas roots vs. the live-service present
Fallout: New Vegas remains a beloved, iconic single-player entry — developed by Obsidian and often cited as a high point in narrative-driven RPG design. That classic status, plus recent availability deals (including free promotions through some storefronts), means many viewers will still seek New Vegas for its story and world. But Howard’s recommendation underlines a larger industry trend: studios increasingly lean on live-service titles as cross-promotional platforms, using timely updates and celebrity voice work to create a shared cultural moment around both game and show.
Fans should note the difference in gameplay and tone. New Vegas is a tightly authored experience with branching quests and memorable NPCs; Fallout 76 is multiplayer-first, with seasonal events, evolving content patches, and social systems. Each offers a distinct way to experience the franchise’s post-apocalyptic setting.
Behind the scenes and broader context Bethesda’s choice to add Walton Goggins to 76 — and to time updates near the TV season — is classic cross-media marketing, but it also benefits players: new narrative modules, fresh characters, and community-driven events often make live games feel more immediate than single-player classics. Critical voices in the gaming community still debate whether a live-service model can capture the intimate, story-led magic of titles like New Vegas, but there’s no denying the accessibility and ongoing activity that makes 76 appealing to newcomers.
Trivia: New Vegas was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and released in 2010; Fallout 76 launched as an online experiment in 2018 and has steadily morphed through expansions.
Whether you follow Howard’s advice or revisit New Vegas, the convergence of the TV series and current game updates offers a richer, cross-platform way to immerse yourself in the Mojave’s myths — just in two very different styles of play. The first episode of Season 2 premieres early on December 16, making now a perfect moment to choose your Fallout experience.
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