Fallout 76 is the next Fallout title that the creators of the popular game series have announced. We have summarized all the information from the release date to the online mode.
With Fallout 76, the publisher takes its first step into multiplayer Fallout. You play with several players together on a map in the middle of West Virginia to rebuild America after the nuclear war.
The most important information:
- Release: November 14, 2018
- Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Fallout 76: Release and Size for PC, PS4, and Xbox One
When can I play Fallout 76? Fallout 76 has been playable since November 13 at around 1:30 PM. This means the servers were brought online almost 11 hours before the originally planned start time at 0:01 AM.
However, those who purchased Fallout 76 directly from the PlayStation Store or Microsoft Store may not be able to play until the official release, according to some reports.
How big is Fallout 76? The game is approximately 50 GB for PC and can be downloaded via the Bethesda Launcher. You can obtain the launcher from the official website. On PS4 and Xbox One, Fallout 76 is about 45 GB. For PS4, you can download Fallout 76 from the PlayStation Store, and for Xbox One from the Microsoft Store.
There will be no crossplay between platforms.
Do I need to reinstall the game after the beta? A reinstallation is necessary on PS4 and Xbox One. There will also be a Day-1 patch with many changes. PC players only need a small patch. Progress from the beta will be completely carried over to the final game.
Those who pre-ordered Fallout 76 will also receive three Fallout classics for free.
What is Fallout 76 about?
After Fallout 4 took place in the Commonwealth, Fallout 76 takes you to West Virginia. Fallout 76 is a prequel to all previously released Fallout titles. What happens here is supposed to explain why the other Fallout titles look the way they do.
The world of Fallout 76 is said to be four times larger than that of Fallout 4. Exploring West Virginia will therefore take quite some time.
The game world is the most important factor in Fallout 76. Through the design of an open world with placed notes, terminals, and audiologs, Fallout 76 aims to present its story.
Bethesda has even introduced some factions that fought for survival outside the vault. Besides familiar groups like the Brotherhood of Steel and the Raiders, the Enclave is also represented, which is already known from earlier titles.
Who do I play in Fallout 76? You are a resident of Vault 76, one of the vaults that opened first after the nuclear war. 25 years after sealing, you are supposed to rebuild the world.
Your task is not only to rebuild walls and buildings. You also need to rekindle the spirit of humanity. Your goal is to make America what it was before the war: a “great nation”.
What kind of game will Fallout 76 be? Fallout 76 is an online game with RPG and survival elements.
With how many people can I play Fallout 76?
This is how Fallout 76 plays: Fallout 76 will be a purely online game – but not in the way you fear. Up to 4 players can cooperate in a group. As typical for Fallout, there will still be quests, a story, and a leveling system.
Can I play solo? Yes, however, on the servers available at the beginning, there will always be other players around. You will be able to walk through West Virginia alone, but Fallout 76 is intended as a group game. At a later time, there will be options for private servers and mods, making solo play easier.
- Fallout 76 will only be playable online, there are no NPCs
- There will be 24 players on a server in Fallout 76
The entire game world is meant to be populated by players. Every other vault dweller you meet will be controlled by a human. There should be dozens in an instance of the game. The experience will not be limited by servers – you can take your character and progress anywhere to play with your friends.
What features will Fallout 76 have?
Fallout 76 will be a “real Fallout”, but with a mandatory online mode. And Fallout 76 is supposed to feature elements of survival games, such as base building.
Bethesda has already presented many features of Fallout 76 at the press conference and in subsequent statements. We have compiled them for you:
- “Softcore Survival”: The core elements of Fallout 76 will be survival and building. The goal is to rebuild America – and that can only be achieved if you survive. Death does not mean severe consequences: you do not lose progress or even your character. The survival features of Fallout 76 should not be annoying.
- With the building system of Fallout 76 there will be no limits: You can build anywhere!
- Folklore of West Virginia: Bethesda has been inspired by the folklore of West Virginia for Fallout 76. You will encounter enemies and stories based on real myths from West Virginia.
- Nuclear rockets – that’s why the world looks so terrible “later”: In Fallout 76, you have access to launch stations for nuclear missiles. Get the launch codes from the NPC enemies and team up to fire the rockets. Choose a location – and flatten it. You can not only eliminate unwanted enemies but also find rare materials and particularly strong opponents to fight in the fallout of the rockets. This is what an impact looks like.
The nukes have not been well received by nuclear experts. Some criticize them as trivializing.
S.P.E.C.I.A.L.s, Perks and Mutations
S.P.E.C.I.A.L. remains: Fallout 76 is based on its predecessors for leveling up. Your attributes are still divided into the 7 known traits and can be increased when leveling up. Perks are back as well.
What is the maximum level? The highest level is level 100. However, you only receive skill points up to level 50. Currently, these cannot be reset.
With a new perk system, Fallout 76 aims to offer players a wide range of abilities that you can freely equip and unequip. You will even be able to trade these perk cards with other players
Perks will determine what role you will take in a group and will influence who you are in the world of Fallout 76.
Along with the perks, there is also the option to customize your character through mutations. Mutations arise from radiation and work similarly to traits from the earlier Fallout titles. So far, 16 mutations are known, each having its advantages and disadvantages.
Here you have an overview of all 51 trophies and what you need to do for them.
Is PvP mandatory?
In principle: Yes. PvP is a fixed part of the game, and players should always have the chance to attack others. However, Bethesda has already talked about PvP and the protection of newcomers and PvE players.
PvP for (almost) everyone: Since Fallout 76 will be a multiplayer survival game, combat between players is also planned. PvP battles should be possible at any time – only those who carry a pacifist flag cannot attack other players.
To protect the game from people who want to exploit the PvP system to troll other players, Bethesda has planned some brutal solutions: If you don’t want to, you can largely stay out of PvP or hide on the map in stealth mode . If you still kill other players, you will receive a bounty.
You can also see first scenes from Fallout 76 showing how such a fight between players unfolds.
Protection for newbies: As a new player, you also don’t need to fear being shot out of the game immediately by higher-level characters. Up to level 5, you are invulnerable. Equipment also scales, so even a power armor does not make you invincible.
If you still want to completely avoid PvP, you also have the chance to become a trader or take on other professions in Fallout 76.
No PvP in the story and events: There will also be some story missions where you will not be attacked by other players – there is no PvP in story missions.
Concerns about nuclear bombs have also preoccupied some fans. However, the developers explained that you can simply save your base in blueprints and rebuild it anywhere, and that you have an untouchable personal storage. Thus, a bomb can never take everything away from you.
In public events that occur frequently, you will be automatically assigned to a public group. Here too, participants cannot attack each other.
Are there criticisms and concerns about the game?
Yes, many people have already raised concerns about Bethesda’s current approach. The PvP is a thorn in the flesh for many fans who prefer to experience Fallout as an exploration of a ruined world at their own pace and without stress from other players. Bethesda constantly apologizes to these solo players.
Furthermore, the way the beta is supposed to be conducted is annoying some fans greatly. Due to some communication errors, it seemed that beta players would be invited in waves. This was clarified by Pete Hines afterwards.
However, the fact that pre-order customers can essentially start earlier, as the progress is carried over, still bothers a part of the community.
The fact that Fallout 76 will not be released on Steam, is also a reason for some fans not to buy the game. However, Bethesda has already managed to dispel some concerns: There will be no battle royale mode.
You can buy different editions, but DLCs will be free
Fallout 76 will be released in various editions, all of which include the base game. Some of them come with great features and content: Here are the versions compared.
The most expensive (and probably most popular) version is the Collector’s Edition. This includes:
- A map of the world that glows in the dark
- Miniature figures of characters from Fallout 76
- A portable T-51 power armor helmet with a functioning voice modulator and headlamp
Fallout 76 will continuously be expanded with new content after its release. There will be
- no season pass and
- DLCs will cost you nothing.
- Only cosmetic items will be available for purchase with real money.
- For this, you need a special currency, “Atoms”, which can also be found during gameplay.
Bethesda has already announced initial details about future plans.
The official trailer
Here you can see the official trailer of Fallout 76.
