Fallout devs wanted uber-violent deaths to feel like an R-rated version of Warner Bros cartoons back in the '90s

Before Bethesda Game Studios took Fallout for itself in 2007, Interplay Entertainment created the first entry in 1997, establishing the foundation for many iconic features of the franchise. One such feature is the grotesque death scenes with fountains of blood and moments so gory they seem almost comical against the post-apocalyptic backdrop. I remember first seeing them as a teenager – the spectacle was truly spectacular, making me want to see every variant of ultra-violent deaths in Fallout 1 and later Fallout 2.

Turns out, the conception of violence in Fallout was originally intended as something humorous – though disgusting at the same time. Leonard Boyarsky, art director on the first Fallout and lead on the 1998 sequel, revealed this in a recent Game Informer interview focusing on the history of the beloved RPG.

I remember for some reason, we had nowhere to meet at one point, and we ended up meeting in Brian Fargo's [executive producer] office. It was the core team, there were maybe, like, six of us. Overall it was a surreal experience. That's where I started really pushing the idea that we'd have these over-the-top, really violent deaths, which to me were basically like an R-rated version of Warner Bros cartoons. It was supposed to be that over the top. It was supposed to be funny. It wasn't supposed to be taken seriously.

Boyarsky concludes:

It was supposed to really be this dark humor and come across as funny.

And even today, this concept still works.

Sure, the newer games in the series differ from the original two, placing greater emphasis on open-world exploration. But they've retained that same silly, cartoonish violence that's especially enjoyable thanks to the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S.).