The new Wastelanders update for Fallout 76 will be released soon. We will tell you all the important information about the big patch and what changes for you.
When and where is the release? Wastelanders will be released today, April 14, 2020, for PC, PS4, and Xbox One – a week after the first delay due to the coronavirus. For PC, the update will be available not only on the Bethesda.net launcher but also for the first time on Steam.
According to official information, the update is set to go live at 1:59 PM. However, some players report that they can start playing earlier. It’s best to check your game to see if you can start.
What does Wastelanders cost? Wastelanders will be a free update for everyone who owns the game. You don’t have to buy a DLC, just patch the game.
However, there are special Settler and Raider packages with cosmetics for those who want to adopt a new style with Wastelanders. They feature the two largest factions in Wastelanders.
The article was created in February 2020 and updated on April 14 with new information.
FAQ about Wastelanders
Wastelanders will be released on April 14, 2020. Learn more about the release of Wastelanders. The specific release time is 1:59 PM German time.
Wastelanders will be a free update for Fallout 76. It will be available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One as well as for the first time on Steam, after Fallout 76 was not available there at launch. The game costs 40 Euros on Steam.
Yes. Players can sign up for a closed beta and must then wait for an invitation. Here we explain how to sign up for the Wastelanders beta.
Wastelanders brings NPCs, new quests, weapons, and story to the game. The entire game will be more like Fallout 4.
After Wastelanders, there will be several new features like skill loadouts and legendary players. Bethesda has revealed more information on this in a roadmap.
Depending on your platform, you will need to download updates of different sizes:
PS4 and Xbox One – about 70 GB
Bethesda.net launcher – about 54 GB
Steam – about 68 GB
After the Preview Test: How good will Wastelanders be?
Players already had the opportunity to play Wastelanders on the new test server beforehand and help the developers fix bugs.
MeinMMO has already received early access and author Benedict Grothaus was able to explore Wastelanders for nearly 15 hours.
During his playthrough, he explored the beginnings of Wastelanders with a completely new character, as well as with his own high-level character and a pre-made character provided by Bethesda at level 80 to see as much as possible. You can read his conclusion here (first hint: it smells like a strong comeback!):
News about Wastelanders
Since many new details have accumulated shortly before the update launches, we have gathered some of the most important information for you in summary here:
- Those who have built their camp incorrectly may be forced to move
- The boss revealed to us, that Wastelanders could be a “singleplayer MMO”
- Bethesda has presented a second trailer for Wastelanders, which we have embedded here:
Wastelanders – First Trailer and Gameplay
This is what the trailer contains: The trailer of Wastelanders already reveals some of the new features that the update brings and shows the NPCs you will encounter. We have embedded the trailer here for you:
This is what the gameplay looks like: At PAX East 2020 in Boston, Bethesda showed actual gameplay from Wastelanders for the first time. This shows the first steps you will take in the update.
You will start again in Vault 76, a year after the brand beasts have been defeated. In the meantime, new people have settled in Appalachia, NPCs with whom you can interact directly after leaving the vault.
Many parts of the world have been reworked and renewed or replaced to integrate the NPCs. You will find a diner where originally a message from the Overseer was waiting for you, now features the two NPCs Duchesse and Mort.
The entire gameplay presentation with comments from the developers lasts about half an hour. We have embedded the video here for you:
Beta Registration and Process
Is there a beta? Yes, but it is a closed beta on PC. If you want to participate, you need to register for the beta beforehand and then hope for an invitation. To register, you just need to sign up on the corresponding page at Bethesda.
Players have already been invited several times to participate in the beta. There are currently no details about new waves of invitations. Since the release is already in April, it may be that no more testers will be invited.
How does the beta work? The beta is also a test for the new PTS (Public Test Server), with which new patches will be tested by the community before their release. You will play a preview version of Wastelanders and test it.
The goal is to find as many bugs as possible and suggest improvements. Accordingly, you will not see a “finished” product but can help prepare it for release. Progress will be deleted at the time of the Wastelanders release.
NPCs, Quests, and More Story
This changes with Wastelanders: The update will completely overhaul Fallout 76. It will be similar to the single-player predecessors Fallout 4 or Fallout 3. The fact that Fallout 76 did not include this was a major criticism from fans shortly after release.
Especially the NPCs, which return with Wastelanders, were missed by many. They come with various factions and as companions with whom you can flirt like in Fallout 4.
Additionally, Wastelanders brings:
- Quests, with which you can farm reputation with the factions like in an MMO
- New weapons and enemies
- More story that continues with a main questline, explaining what has happened since the “end” of Fallout 76
The NPCs are all fully voiced, and you will receive dialogue options. Bethesda has even gone a bit overboard in this part.
Some of the dialogues will be influenced by your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. values. So it could finally be worthwhile to play with Charisma, even if you are not in a team. This value was previously considered largely useless.
How good are the NPCs? In our test, we also took a closer look at all the NPCs. MeinMMO author Benedict Grothaus believes: That the budget being exceeded was exactly right.
The new characters enrich the world by distributing quests, interacting with the player, and generally providing more atmosphere. They bring Appalachia to life, as players previously couldn’t.
They even have real reactions to the players. Those who treat them well will receive helpful information. Those who behave like a jerk will be turned away.
After Wastelanders – Roadmap for 2020
This is what’s next: Already in September 2019, Bethesda announced a roadmap for 2020. In it, the developers revealed several new features that Fallout 76 is supposed to receive. Among them are:
- A test server that players have long wished for (actively limited for the beta of Wastelanders)
- Skill loadouts to quickly switch between preferred builds
- Multi-factor authentication for more security
- “Legendary players” – a feature that is supposed to work like a prestige system for players and is likely connected to legendary perks
- Improvements to the social menu and further improvements for public events
There is still no further information about major updates in the style of Wastelanders or previously Nuclear Winter.
