When Amazon announced Season 2 would feature New Vegas, fans immediately wondered: how would they recreate these iconic game locations?
The answer: with remarkable fidelity and creative expansion.
From the giant dinosaur at Novac to the neon glow of The Strip, Fallout Season 2's production design brings one of gaming's most beloved settings to life. Here's how they did it.
Novac and the Dinosaur
The first New Vegas location viewers see is Novac—and its famous dinosaur.
Game Version: Novac was a small, quirky settlement built around a pre-war motel. The dinosaur gift shop called "Dinky the Dinosaur" defined its silhouette.
Show Recreation: Production built a full-scale dinosaur. Not CGI—an actual constructed prop standing in the desert.
The Details: Weathering, sun damage, bullet holes—the dinosaur looks like it's survived 200 years. The gift shop interior was recreated with appropriate wasteland decay.
Easter Eggs: Sharp-eyed fans spotted game-accurate details: the placement of sandbags, the angle of the walkway, even specific debris patterns.
Boone's Perch: The sniper position from the game exists in the show. Whether we see a character use it remains to be seen.
Production Notes: The dinosaur took three months to construct. It became a landmark on the filming location.
The Strip Recreated
New Vegas's Strip is the show's most ambitious set piece.
Game Scale: In New Vegas, The Strip felt large but was constrained by game technology. Loading screens separated its sections.
Show Scale: The production built The Strip as one continuous environment. No loading screens, just neon-lit devastation.
The Lucky 38: Mr. House's tower dominates the skyline. Production used a combination of practical sets and CGI extension.
Neon Everywhere: The show invested heavily in practical lighting. Those casino signs actually glow.
The Securitrons: House's robot army patrols The Strip. A mix of practical props and CGI brings them to life.
The Atmosphere: The Strip feels simultaneously glamorous and decrepit—exactly the vibe New Vegas players remember.
Casino Interiors: The Tops, Gomorrah, and Beyond
Each casino has its own personality.
The Tops: The Rat Pack-inspired casino got full interior recreation. The showroom, the casino floor, the lounges—all built practically.
Gomorrah: The seedier casino appears with appropriate edge. Production designed it as a contrast to The Tops' relative class.
The Ultra-Luxe: The high-end casino with the cannibalism secret. The show hints at what happens behind closed doors.
Game Accuracy: Designers referenced game assets extensively. Carpet patterns, slot machine placement, architectural details match the source.
Practical Effects: Working slot machines. Functional roulette wheels. The production wanted actors interacting with real objects.
The Investment: Casino sets were reportedly among the most expensive of the season. The detail shows.
Behind-the-Scenes Production Details
Creating New Vegas required massive resources.
Location Shooting: Primary filming occurred in New Mexico, chosen for its desert landscapes matching the Mojave.
Set Construction: Multiple soundstages in Los Angeles housed interior sets. The Strip street set occupied an entire backlot.
Design Research: Production designers played hundreds of hours of New Vegas. They consulted fan communities about details.
Weathering Process: Every prop went through extensive aging. The wasteland should feel lived-in.
VFX Enhancement: Practical sets were extended with visual effects. The Lucky 38's full height is CGI.
The Production Team's Challenge: Make locations recognizable to game fans while accessible to new viewers. It's a balance.
Fan Comparisons to the Game
The Fallout community has dissected every frame.
- Dinosaur scale and positioning
- Strip layout and major landmarks
- Casino interior designs
- Securitron appearance
- General Mojave atmosphere
- Some locations consolidated for narrative efficiency
- Scale adjustments (game locations were sometimes too small)
- Additional detail impossible in 2010 game engine
- Some geography compression
The Verdict: Overwhelmingly positive. Fans appreciate the faithfulness while accepting necessary adaptations.
Comparison Videos: YouTube is full of side-by-side analyses. They consistently praise the production design.
What Players Notice: Specific details that only longtime fans would catch. The production team clearly includes New Vegas devotees.
The sets aren't just accurate—they're love letters to the game.