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Fallout: A Tale of Mutation
The year was 1997 and Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game had just been released by Interplay.
This book looks back at the entire Fallout saga, tells the story of the series' birth, retraces its history and deciphers its mechanics.
The perfect book to discover and understand the origins of Fallout, with the saga's genesis and the decryption of each of his episodes !
EXTRACT
The intro music and the end credits were the final main components of this hybrid post-apocalyptic/50s ambiance. Initially, Brian Fargo wanted to signal Fallout’s inspiration with Warriors of the Wasteland, by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, but when he heard The Ink Spots, he changed his mind and loved the result. The first choice was I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire by this group of crooners from the 1930s/40s, but unfortunately the high cost made it impossible to acquire the rights. But while browsing an extensive list of tracks from the era, the team found that Maybe, by the same group, had almost the same sound-with the added bonus of being cheap! The lyrics are about a break-up, from the point of view of the person being left behind: "Maybe you’ll think of me when you are all alone/ Then maybe you’ll ask me to come back again". Leonard Boyarsky notes that, "It worked with the intro [and the ending]", referring to the ending with the betrayal and lonely exile of Fallout’s hero. "It felt like it was this genius plan we had [...] but it was only later that we decided to kick [the player] out of the Vault. I feel like this is a metaphor for the whole game: it looks like we had a better picture in mind than we did, it just came out of the things we were doing".
This book looks back at the entire Fallout saga, tells the story of the series' birth, retraces its history and deciphers its mechanics.
The perfect book to discover and understand the origins of Fallout, with the saga's genesis and the decryption of each of his episodes !
EXTRACT
The intro music and the end credits were the final main components of this hybrid post-apocalyptic/50s ambiance. Initially, Brian Fargo wanted to signal Fallout’s inspiration with Warriors of the Wasteland, by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, but when he heard The Ink Spots, he changed his mind and loved the result. The first choice was I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire by this group of crooners from the 1930s/40s, but unfortunately the high cost made it impossible to acquire the rights. But while browsing an extensive list of tracks from the era, the team found that Maybe, by the same group, had almost the same sound-with the added bonus of being cheap! The lyrics are about a break-up, from the point of view of the person being left behind: "Maybe you’ll think of me when you are all alone/ Then maybe you’ll ask me to come back again". Leonard Boyarsky notes that, "It worked with the intro [and the ending]", referring to the ending with the betrayal and lonely exile of Fallout’s hero. "It felt like it was this genius plan we had [...] but it was only later that we decided to kick [the player] out of the Vault. I feel like this is a metaphor for the whole game: it looks like we had a better picture in mind than we did, it just came out of the things we were doing".
- GenresNonfictionGames
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2019
183 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 11, 2021
A good read but the authors nostalgia bias towards the first two games and constant berating of the Bethesda titles does make the author at times come across as a disgruntled old man who believes everything was better back in the day.
If you’re keen on learning all about the development and legacy of the games this book is for you.
I would have preferred more content delving into the lore and history, personally.
If you’re keen on learning all about the development and legacy of the games this book is for you.
I would have preferred more content delving into the lore and history, personally.
August 12, 2019
You know... it was pretty good. I enjoyed the blast from the past and learning about the different evolutionary moments of Fallout - both in real life and in game. Although I do feel it was a little too opinionated, I never felt accosted by our differences. It was definitely enjoyable.
February 7, 2019
This was an interesting read, I enjoyed the backstory behind Fallout's creation. Howevere here and there I missed some depth, when discussing the storyline or the world itself. I would rather read through a summary of each game's storyline, than read the gameplay mechanics descriptions. Overall, I enjoyed it and it made me want to come back to this book.
April 19, 2024
Such a great informative read!! If you want to know more about how Fallout became what it is, I highly rec!! Great for both people who have and haven't played the game. I haven't played but my husband has (since 2008 when Fallout 3 released) and we both loved it!
June 7, 2024
Это больше личное мнение о серии поверхностным анализом проектов чем история разработки.
Стиль автора (либо перевод на русский) мне не зашел и научный редактор оказался слишком назойливым - эта роль должна быть незаметна, а не противоречить автору, но сложно это сделать для перевода, тут вопрос больше к качеству исходного материала.
Возможно не хватило редактора, некоторые предложения было сложно понять с первого раза.
Формат заметок без разделения на примечания и ссылки на источники выглядит неудобным.
Можно было бы советовать фанатам, но у них уже есть свое мнение об играх серии и они узнают немного нового.
Стиль автора (либо перевод на русский) мне не зашел и научный редактор оказался слишком назойливым - эта роль должна быть незаметна, а не противоречить автору, но сложно это сделать для перевода, тут вопрос больше к качеству исходного материала.
Возможно не хватило редактора, некоторые предложения было сложно понять с первого раза.
Формат заметок без разделения на примечания и ссылки на источники выглядит неудобным.
Можно было бы советовать фанатам, но у них уже есть свое мнение об играх серии и они узнают немного нового.
May 25, 2024
I expected a documentary on Fallout series
Instead I got a lot of opinions from the author on what he thinks is good and wrong on Fallout universe. Honestly reads like a game review instead of a stroll on memory lane and historical reminiscences of previous games.
I think it started okay in the first few chapters but then it went downhill. Shame...
Instead I got a lot of opinions from the author on what he thinks is good and wrong on Fallout universe. Honestly reads like a game review instead of a stroll on memory lane and historical reminiscences of previous games.
I think it started okay in the first few chapters but then it went downhill. Shame...
September 15, 2019
Pretty good book and informative. Good for people not familiar with the series.
May 12, 2024
FALLOUT: A TALE OF MUTATION by Erwan Lafleuriel is a book available on Kindle Unlimited that details the creation of the first four Fallout games (no real information on Fallout 76 or the series, which is a shame). This is basically a book discussing how each game came to be and some general discussion about their themes as well as world-building. It's nothing that hardcore fans wouldn't already be familiar with.
The premise of the book is that it details the origins of Fallout as a proposed sequel to Wasteland by Tim Cain before going off and becoming its own thing. It details such stories as how Brian Fargo came up with the idea of a retrofuturistic 1950s style for the Pre-War Era, how Tim Cain got so many big name Hollywood actors to do the voice work for the bare minimum required by their unions, and how the game was a smashing success despite not being a major priority for Interplay at the time.
The book doesn't just follow the production development of Fallout, though, but also the sequels. It moves effortlessly to the development of Fallout 2 and how the game's story development was passed on to Chris Avellone and others who explain their reasoning for some of the game's controversial choices. It talks about the behind-the-scenes that eventually led to the game franchise being acquired by Bethesda too.
Erwan Lafleuriel isn't shy about his editorializing during the book, showing his clear preference for the original two games while referring to what he thinks about as plot holes in both Fallout 3 as well as Fallout 4 (especially Fallout 4). Nevertheless, he doesn't go into pure hate either and I find that made all the difference for me in the book.
If I have any complaint about the book, it's the fact that it's a little light on content regarding the games themselves and the latter half of the book goes over the various factions and concepts in the series like Super Mutants. This is more of an encyclopedia entry for the setting than something than sharing the origins of the game. Still, I enjoyed the section on themes and discussing the music that have become iconic to the series both in terms of original as well as 1950s tunes.
Overall, Fallout: A Tale of Mutation is a very enjoyable book and I think fans of the franchise will very much enjoy it. Fallout is a fantastic video game franchise and the world it's created deserves this kind of scholarly analysis. Could it have gone deeper? Yes, but that doesn't mean it's not worth picking it up.
The premise of the book is that it details the origins of Fallout as a proposed sequel to Wasteland by Tim Cain before going off and becoming its own thing. It details such stories as how Brian Fargo came up with the idea of a retrofuturistic 1950s style for the Pre-War Era, how Tim Cain got so many big name Hollywood actors to do the voice work for the bare minimum required by their unions, and how the game was a smashing success despite not being a major priority for Interplay at the time.
The book doesn't just follow the production development of Fallout, though, but also the sequels. It moves effortlessly to the development of Fallout 2 and how the game's story development was passed on to Chris Avellone and others who explain their reasoning for some of the game's controversial choices. It talks about the behind-the-scenes that eventually led to the game franchise being acquired by Bethesda too.
Erwan Lafleuriel isn't shy about his editorializing during the book, showing his clear preference for the original two games while referring to what he thinks about as plot holes in both Fallout 3 as well as Fallout 4 (especially Fallout 4). Nevertheless, he doesn't go into pure hate either and I find that made all the difference for me in the book.
If I have any complaint about the book, it's the fact that it's a little light on content regarding the games themselves and the latter half of the book goes over the various factions and concepts in the series like Super Mutants. This is more of an encyclopedia entry for the setting than something than sharing the origins of the game. Still, I enjoyed the section on themes and discussing the music that have become iconic to the series both in terms of original as well as 1950s tunes.
Overall, Fallout: A Tale of Mutation is a very enjoyable book and I think fans of the franchise will very much enjoy it. Fallout is a fantastic video game franchise and the world it's created deserves this kind of scholarly analysis. Could it have gone deeper? Yes, but that doesn't mean it's not worth picking it up.
April 29, 2023
Fallout, my dearest game, has provided me with countless hours of entertainment. I have spent many moons immersing myself in the various iterations of this splendid creation. The accompanying book is a treasure trove of delightful information regarding the development of the game. It has given me pure exhilaration to read through its pages, and I can attest that every Fallout enthusiast will feel the same.
In the world of Fallout, a nuclear war has drastically altered the course of history, bringing about a new world where, in many ways, time has stood still. The 1950s-style aesthetic has endured, but now with the added flair of post-apocalyptic anarchy. The world is a dangerous and unpredictable place, filled with irradiated monsters, mutated creatures, and desperate survivors.
Many people in this world live in hidden underground vaults, designed to protect them from the harsh radiation of the outside world. Others live in makeshift settlements, eking out a living among the ruins of the old world. The remnants of pre-war technology are highly sought after, with factions and individuals vying for control over the power and knowledge they hold.
But amidst this bleak and dangerous world, there are still shining beacons of humanity. There are communities of people who band together, helping each other survive in the face of unimaginable horrors. And there are individuals, heroes in their own right, who venture out into the wasteland, fighting to make the world a better place.
Truly, it is a world unlike any other, where the ideals of the past clash with the brutal reality of the present. It is a world of wonder and danger, where one must always be on their guard, but also where the potential for great change and progress exists.
In the world of Fallout, a nuclear war has drastically altered the course of history, bringing about a new world where, in many ways, time has stood still. The 1950s-style aesthetic has endured, but now with the added flair of post-apocalyptic anarchy. The world is a dangerous and unpredictable place, filled with irradiated monsters, mutated creatures, and desperate survivors.
Many people in this world live in hidden underground vaults, designed to protect them from the harsh radiation of the outside world. Others live in makeshift settlements, eking out a living among the ruins of the old world. The remnants of pre-war technology are highly sought after, with factions and individuals vying for control over the power and knowledge they hold.
But amidst this bleak and dangerous world, there are still shining beacons of humanity. There are communities of people who band together, helping each other survive in the face of unimaginable horrors. And there are individuals, heroes in their own right, who venture out into the wasteland, fighting to make the world a better place.
Truly, it is a world unlike any other, where the ideals of the past clash with the brutal reality of the present. It is a world of wonder and danger, where one must always be on their guard, but also where the potential for great change and progress exists.
December 4, 2024
As a HUGE fan of the Fallout games, this is a must-read for any Fallout fan, period!
Fallout: A Tale of Mutation is an absolute treasure trove for fans of the Fallout series! As someone who loves this franchise, I love how this book dives deep into the history of the games, their development, and the richly layered lore that makes the Fallout universe so compelling.
Lafleuriel masterfully blends fascinating behind-the-scenes insights with an exploration of the series’ themes, characters, and iconic settings. Whether it’s delving into Vault-Tec’s sinister experiments or uncovering the cultural impact of the games, every chapter feels like a vault opening to reveal priceless knowledge.
Highly recommended!
Fallout: A Tale of Mutation is an absolute treasure trove for fans of the Fallout series! As someone who loves this franchise, I love how this book dives deep into the history of the games, their development, and the richly layered lore that makes the Fallout universe so compelling.
Lafleuriel masterfully blends fascinating behind-the-scenes insights with an exploration of the series’ themes, characters, and iconic settings. Whether it’s delving into Vault-Tec’s sinister experiments or uncovering the cultural impact of the games, every chapter feels like a vault opening to reveal priceless knowledge.
Highly recommended!
August 14, 2024
Достаточно хорошая книга. Годный исторический экскурс по всем играм серии, включая истории их создания, фирм-разработчиков и их сотрудников. Критика аргументированная. На мой вкус, автор порой судит о вещах слишком коммерчески, типа "хорошо продалось -- значит, хорошая игра", но приходится такую узколобость ему простить, плюсы книги это закрывают. Подробно описана вселенная Фоллаут, особенности игр, холивары между фанатами. Достойно прочтения. Вроде из важного ничего не упущно, но и не сказать, что хоть что-то в этой книге прямо вау.
June 1, 2025
A balanced and well-researched read written by someone who is clearly a Fallout enthusiast. This wasn’t a book about the in-game lore, but rather the creation and production of the games.
Each title is touched on and the author discusses certain differences between the existing games in the series. I did enjoy how he fairly criticized the game developers where necessary and gave credit where it’s due.
I highly recommend this book to any Fallout fan who has played and enjoyed (for the most part) at least the “main” 5 games and wants to learn more about the development history.
Each title is touched on and the author discusses certain differences between the existing games in the series. I did enjoy how he fairly criticized the game developers where necessary and gave credit where it’s due.
I highly recommend this book to any Fallout fan who has played and enjoyed (for the most part) at least the “main” 5 games and wants to learn more about the development history.
January 10, 2025
Enjoyable history about the game and the studios but was a little put off with the author throwing in his disdain for Fallouts 3 and 4.
July 10, 2025
Очередная компиляция статей из Википедии и фанатской вики.
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December 17, 2024Read when playing a fallout game
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews