Fallout 76

Fallout 76 is a multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the newest installment in the Fallout series (ninth overall) and was released on Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on November 14, 2018.

Development
The idea for Fallout 76 arose out of a desire to implement multiplayer into the Fallout 4 engine. Eventually, a decision was made to develop this as a standalone project. Development of 76 commenced at the Austin, Texas, branch of Bethesda Game Studios shortly before the release of Fallout 4. Fallout 76 was the first Bethesda game to use tools for automatic bounced lights. Prior to this, all Bethesda games had their bounced lights manually placed by hand.

Because the engine of Fallout 4 was tailored to only handle one player, the developers experienced difficulty modifying the engine to handle multiple players. Whether or not the game should have human NPCs was a large debate in the developer team. The developers agreed on a consensus to try an experimental approach in which other players took the role of NPCs.

Despite the initial lack of human NPCs, Fallout 76 has more voice lines than any previous game in the series, and this record was broken even before the Wastelanders update. It also has more holotapes and notes than all previously released Fallout games added together. Several voice actors for the game used Governor Jim Justice as reference for replicating a West Virginian accent; specifically, a YouTube video of Justice discussing the state's budget was highlighted by voice director Kal-El Bogdanove. For the Wastelanders update, Bethesda Softworks actually went over their budget for voice actors now that human NPCs were being added to the game.

Promotion
The game was officially unveiled at E3 2018. A beta version, the B.E.T.A. (Break-it Early Test Application), was available to those who pre-ordered the game. The beta began on October 23 for Xbox One and on October 30 for PC and PS4. The game's servers were only up for a few hours at a time, in order to test large amounts of players online at the same time. Player progress made during the beta was carried over into the full game.

Active periods for the beta were scheduled as follows:


 * October 23, from 7:00pm EDT to 11:00pm EDT (Xbox One)
 * October 27, from 5:00pm EDT to 7:00pm EDT (Xbox One)
 * October 28, from 12:00pm EDT to 2:00pm EDT (Xbox One)
 * October 30, from 7:00pm EDT to 11:00pm EDT (all platforms)
 * November 1, from 2:00pm EDT to 11:00pm EDT (all platforms)
 * November 3, from 5:00pm EDT to 9:00pm EDT (all platforms)
 * November 4, from 2:00pm EST to 9:00pm EST (all platforms)
 * November 6, from 1:00pm EST to 3:00pm EST (all platforms)
 * November 8, from 2:00pm EST to 8:00pm EST (all platforms)

According to Marc Tardif in June 2019, content containing living human characters was initially "not even on [the] radar" for Bethesda, and community feedback was the driving force behind the development of the update. However, lead designer Ferret Baudoin stated in August 2020 that, from the beginning of development, some developers disagreed with the idea of excluding human NPCs in the base game. Despite this, there were a number of logistical issues that prevented human NPCs from appearing at launch, as it would have further complicated an already difficult technical process. Baudoin said that it was actually on the radar "from a very early point." After the initial release, several patches have been released.

Gameplay


According to Todd Howard, the map is four times the size of Fallout 4. Todd emphasized the environment of Fallout 76 has more detail than Fallout 4. Fallout 76 utilizes an open-world environment. Random encounters return. One player can have up to five characters under the same account. Each server has its own weather and time of day.

Fallout 76 has some UI changes and convenient quality-of-life features over Fallout 4. Players can now fast travel from inside interiors. The inventory now has a tab for newly obtained items. Armor and apparel are now distinct categories, and the quest menu now has different sub-categories for main quests and side quests. Quest markers now show the names of quest objectives.

Combat
Combat in the game uses VATS like the previous Fallouts, although VATS in 76 is now real-time. Players can still lock onto specific body parts of an enemy, although it requires a specific perk card.

Multiplayer system
The game is entirely online but solo play is possible, via avoidance of other players with Pacifist Mode enabled. The game is run from multiple servers that have a maximum of twenty-four players, who can team up into squads with a maximum of four people. Additionally, private servers are available to those with a Fallout 1st subscription. Interaction with other player characters is done via the emote wheel and voice chat.

Loot from containers is instanced, and is unique to players regardless of whether or not another player had previously searched the container. Loot from enemies are available for everyone.

The game does not currently have cross-play; for example, PlayStation 4 players can not play with PC players. Similarly, it does not have cross-progression either so an Xbox player, for example, can not switch to PlayStation and keep their character progress.

Events and nukes
Nukes can be used following the completion of the main quest, specifically I Am Become Death. To launch a nuke, a player must visit one of the three main missile silos, Site Alpha, Site Bravo or Site Charlie. After a series of missions in the silo, with a Nuclear keycard, the player can launch a nuke. When utilized, the nuclear blast uncovers valuable resources and high level enemies; however, player characters need strong anti-radiation equipment such as power armor to access the site. Players can nuke anywhere, except a certain region of the Forest so new players exploring near Vault 76 are safe. However, the vast majority of players almost always nuke Monongah Mine and the Cranberry Bog due to the reasons mentioned below. A C.A.M.P. caught in a nuke will be destroyed.

Events are ongoing in each server. For example, Radiation Rumble is the go-to event for players to quickly gain EXP to level up. Two specific events, A Colossal Problem and Scorched Earth, require one player in the server to nuke either the Monongah Mine or south-east region of the Cranberry Bog, to fight either Earle Williams or a Scorchbeast Queen, repectively. Earle and the Queen are considered the "end-game bosses".

Daily Ops are events in which up to four players race against time to complete objectives in one of many maps. Completing a Daily Op under eight minutes yields the most rewards.

NPCs and quest system
Quests in Fallout 76 at launch were akin to found-world quests. They were largely received through holotape recordings, terminals and notes. Robots were also utilized to deliver the story of the quest and other traditional roles played by NPCs in past iterations.

There are robots and other creatures with personalities that can give out quests and engage in bartering. At launch, almost all other characters met by a player were those of other players at release.

The release of the Wastelanders update introduced living human NPCs with full dialogue trees to Appalachia who now give quests. Due to the online shared nature of the world, with the exception of very few moments during quests, NPCs can not be killed or harmed by the player. They can not be pickpocketed and they do not react to the player looting items in their vicinity.

Due to the multiplayer format, many quests are instanced. For players to assist each other in an instanced mission, they require the team leader to enter a location first. Other members of the team can assist the team leader in their instance, although they will not have progress done on their own character.

Fallout 76 has an emphasis on photography-based quests. The player can repair a broken ProSnap Deluxe camera during the quest Bucket List. Many quests involve capturing photos of locations or wildlife.

Survival elements
The game has been described by Todd Howard as a "softcore survival game." Death does not result in loss of progression; instead, the player will merely drop all the junk on-hand. Players can retrieve their junk left behind in a bag, indicated by a map icon. Sometimes, the player will be knocked down instead of killed, and so another player can use a stimpak to revive them. Like previous Fallout games, the player can sleep in beds to restore their health, but due to the time of day being uniform in the server, sleeping does not advance time.

Appalachia has a railway connecting various train stations which can help supply the player. There are also thirteen lookout towers where the player can examine the landscape at the top which will add new locations to the world map.

Initially, food and drinks were important to help survive as starving and being dehyrated would have negative ramifications, although this was patched out so that being well-fed and hydrated would give positive benefits instead.

Fallout 76 has a greater emphasis on diseases than previous Fallouts. Fighting diseased enemies increases the risk of catching a disease which act as a timed debuff. While diseases do not last longer than an hour, they can be removed using a disease cure or by using a Sympto-Matic.

Mutations are an important gameplay mechanic, giving the player advantages if they use serums. For example, one of the most popular serums is Marsupial serum which allows the player to jump higher. They will last forever as long as the player has a maxed Starched Genes perk. The Class Freak perk will reduce the negative effects of serums.

A wandering saleswoman, Minerva, appears occasionally to distribute certain plans more cheaply than other plan sellers.

Crafting is a major part of Fallout 76, where players loot materials from the world to transform into things such as weapons, armor, furniture, food, medicine, etc. Plans are required to build such items from scratch. Wearing Excavator power armor while looting ore will double the yields. Weapons and armor will gradually deteriorate and break after use, requiring either materials to repair or a repair kit to maintain them. Usually, weapons that deal more damage, as well as stronger armor, will need rarer materials; for example, wood armor requires wood to repair which is easy to find while other armors require rarer ballistic fiber.

Players can use backpacks to increase their carry weight. A plan for small backpacks can be found exploring Morgantown Airport. A larger backpack involves the completion of the sidequest The Order of the Tadpole.

Faction reputation
With the introduction of the Wastelanders storyline, Fallout 76 focuses on two distinct factions: The Raiders and the Settlers. There is a reputation mechanic in which the player can become strong allies with both factions. Decisions in certain missions, as well as doing certain daily quests, will increase the reputation on each side. The higher a reputation rank is, the more plans become available at Crater and Foundation.

Due to there being no consequences to becoming allies with both factions, players recommend to other players before choosing a faction for the Vault 79 raid to complete their missions beforehand; Cheating Death, Fun and Games and The Ol' Weston Shuffle for Crater, and Trade Secrets, Invisible Ties and Duty Calls for Foundation (note that The Motherlode must be completed before doing Trade Secrets).

C.A.M.P.s, workshops and allies
A building system, which allows players to construct their own dwellings, is a key feature. The system is shared between players on a private team, allowing teammates to build objects for other players, even objects the C.A.M.P. owner does not have the plan for, as long as they are not from the Atomic Shop. Dwellings are constructed using the C.A.M.P. (Construction and Assembly Mobile Platform). At C.A.M.P.s, the player can use other players' equipment, as long as it is not locked. There are also vending machines, where players can buy and sell their items. Players can grow various food by placing plants in dirt or farmable dirt tiles. Enemies like to invade C.A.M.P.s occasionally and will tend to go after where the player has placed their power generator. Traveling merchants will sometimes arrive at the player's camp.

Every character can make two C.A.M.P.s. More C.A.M.P.s can be made by purchasing more slots from the Atomic Shop. Additionally, players can build their own indoor shelter after completing the Home Expansion quest. C.A.M.P.s can also have allies. They require the player to unlock the ally's object and place it in their world. It is also possible to romance Sofia Daguerre and Beckett. Doing so will unlock the Lover's Embrace perk which will grant a longer XP boost after the player sleeps in a bed. Appalachia has some specific Workshops scattered around the world.

Perk card system
After completing the initial release from the vault (level 2), players gain a point and need to build their SPECIAL attributes. The seven categories are each presented to the player in the form of cards. Players can then build on those SPECIALs by adding additional cards (perks) to them.

Players have to spend a varying number of points on cards, dependent on the initial value. Cards of the same type can be combined with an additional point cost to create a higher ranked version of that initial card, max rank depends on the card. The value of the card is shown in the upper left corner. Players gain a SPECIAL point on level up until level 50 which they can assign to a SPECIAL stat of their choosing. After level 50, players are still able to pick a perk card but no longer receive SPECIAL points. From level 25 onward, punch card machines can be utilized for different SPECIAL loadouts. They allow for easy (re-)distribution of SPECIAL points for loadouts, and also for changing the currently active loadout.

On top of players assigning cards to their character to enhance their own build, there are also cards available to enhance the current statistics of their team as a whole, most of which fall under Charisma. There are few solo-player Charisma cards, as the majority are designed for team play. Another way players can support their team is by sharing perk cards. Players can only share one perk card, the rank of the card they can share is based on the Charisma SPECIAL stat. For every three points of Charisma, one perk card point can be shared.

Initially, players receive a Perk Card Pack every two levels up to level ten. This is a random selection of four cards that the player can swap out with their current cards. After level ten, players receive the card packs every five levels. These packs can occasionally include a card that is higher in value than normal, increasing a stat or ability more than it would otherwise. There are hundreds of cards available.

Legendary perks unlock after level 50 and allow the player to equip certain perk cards and rank up their effects using "Perk Points" (PP).

PvP
Player versus player (PvP) combat does not become available until the player character is level 5. Player characters invite other characters to duel by attacking, though these attacks do not deal any damage. Before patch 7.5, they dealt nominal damage. If the player being attacked fires back, the damage being inflicted between the two players is regulated, but only if there is a large level gap between them. Players who are close to the same level inflict full damage with no restrictions. Player characters who are severely different in level have their damage placed on a curve with the higher level player doing less damage than they normally would at their level, while the lower level player does more.

If the opposing player responds but then dies, they can seek revenge. If they kill the initial instigating player, they receive double the rewards. Killers can collect any junk their target drops.

If a player continues to attack another player and that player has not responded, but eventually is killed by the instigating player, the offender will have a bounty placed on their head. They receive no loot or experience for killing the opposing player. The now-hunted player is visible to all others on the map, indicated by a red star. They also cannot see anybody else on the map. Killing the marked player results in higher-than-normal rewards.

Survival mode
Survival mode was a more competitive way to play Fallout 76 that was separate from the main game, had fewer PvP restrictions, higher stakes for PvP combat and a permanent XP bonus. It was released in a beta form as part of the Wild Appalachia update with patch 7.5 on March 26, 2019. There was also a scoreboard system, as well as new weekly challenges that had legendary rewards. Upon hitting Play from the Main Menu, a choice was given to play either the standard Adventure mode or Survival mode. As of October 1, 2019, the Survival mode beta has been brought offline on all platforms and is no longer playable.

Private Worlds
Private Worlds is a mode where players with the Fallout 1st subscription can play on their own "private server." It was released on October 23, 2019, along with patch 14. The server holds up to eight players and has better server stability than Adventure mode servers. Any progress made on the server is not saved, such as taking a workshop, farming junk spots, killing enemies, etc.

If the server host leaves and no other players within the server have a Fallout 1st subscription, remaining players have a 30 minute grace period to leave before the server shuts down. However, if a player other than the original server host has a Fallout 1st subscription, the server will not shut down.

Atoms and Atomic Shop


Atoms are a currency in the game. They can be obtained through different methods. While players can buy Atoms using real-world money (100 Atoms are akin to 1 USD), Atoms can also be obtained via challenges, or by ranking up their S.C.O.R.E. on the scoreboard, as every new season features Atoms every several ranks. Completing a scoreboard will net the player 500 Atoms, while every 10th rank after (110, 120, etc) will net the player 100 Atoms. Note that challenges are tied to account; for example, if the player collects 760 wood, they can not create another character on the same account to collect 760 wood to obtain Atoms again. However, progression is shared between characters; for example, a player could collect 500 wood as one character and 260 wood on their other character in order to obtain the Atoms.

The Atomic Shop is where Atoms are used. They can buy cosmetics, furniture and objects for C.A.M.P. building, emotes, and more C.A.M.P. slots.

Currencies
Fallout 76 uses three main currencies. Caps, Atoms and Gold bullion. Gold bullion is primarily obtained by exchanging Treasury Notes.

Setting and story
The game is set in Appalachia, comprised of the former state of West Virginia, in the year of 2102, 25 years after the Great War (though various updates advance the timeline slightly). This places the story before any previous Fallout game. Appalachia, as explored in the game, consists of six distinct regions: the The Forest, Ash Heap, Toxic Valley on the west, the Savage Divide in the center, and The Mire and Cranberry Bog in the east.

Drawing from real-life inspiration, various West Virginia cities have been adapted into Fallout 76 such as Point Pleasant, Charleston, Welch, Beckley, Lewisburg, Summersville, Sutton, Clarksburg, Morgantown, Flatwoods, and Harpers Ferry. However, their locations have been re-arranged compared to a real-life map of West Virginia. Some locations such as Camden Park, the New River Gorge Bridge and Mothman Museum exist in real life, while The Greenbrier was adapted into The Whitespring Resort and Woodburn Circle into Vault-Tec University. Many other locations in 76 are purely original, such as the Top of the World which does not exist in real life.

The game features some real-life cryptid folklore. Point Pleasant is known in real life for being attached to Mothman folklore; accordingly, it is the site of the Cult of the Mothman in 76. Other examples include the Flatwoods monster, Sheepsquatch, and snallygaster.

Original questline


The plot involves Vault 76, which is one of the 17 control vaults designed without an experiment; physical, psychological or social. The players, the Vault Dwellers, some of the best and brightest of America, emerge from Vault 76 following a celebration of Reclamation Day, having been sent on a quest to rebuild Appalachia by their overseer, who left the vault before the rest of the inhabitants. The player will also learn about the Scorched Plague, a virus transforming survivors into Scorched, and the emergence of scorchbeasts spreading the virus which are gigantic mutated bats.

The player is given the task of tracking down the overseer, following her footsteps and holotapes as she travels Appalachia and discovers how the War has changed her former home. In the process, the player will become familiar with different pre- and post-War factions such as the Responders, Brotherhood of Steel, raiders and the Enclave, and how they coped with the disaster. One focus on the game in particular revolves around a Brotherhood member, Elizabeth Taggerdy, and her crew of Taggerdy's Thunder. Elizabeth pleaded with her superior, Roger Maxson, to grant her team permission to use nuclear weapons against the scorchbeasts but was forbidden by him.

The player attempts to fulfill the overseer's desire to secure one of the missile silos in the region in order to launch a nuclear weapon to fight the scorchbeasts spreading the plague, protecting humanity by preventing the plague from spreading beyond the boundaries of Appalachia.

Wastelanders
Wastelanders was a major content overhaul to Fallout 76, featuring human NPCs. In order to begin Wastelanders, the player finds two women outside Vault 76 when they first leave, who are disappointed they are having difficulties locating a rumored treasure. Afterward, the player is directed to The Wayward bar, where they encounter a woman, Maude (also known as "Duchess"), being held at gunpoint.

From there on, the player learns about two new groups that have settled in Appalachia; the brutal Raiders at Crater led by a woman named Meg Groberg, and the friendlier Settlers at Foundation led by a man named Paige. The Scorched Plague is relevant in this storyline, as well as efforts in order to widely spread a vaccine against it. Meanwhile, the player will learn about Vault 79, the site of the rumored treasure, and must choose which of the two factions to raid the vault with.

Steel Dawn and Steel Reign
Steel Dawn and Steel Reign are a story revolving around a recent Brotherhood of Steel expedition arriving from California, the Brotherhood First Expeditionary Force, who were sent to re-establish contact with the original Appalachian Brotherhood. This questline focuses on two members with conflicting ideals about where the Brotherhood should go; Knight Daniel Shin and Paladin Leila Rahmani, as well as the Scribe Odessa Valdez who acts as a mediator between the two. The story also focuses on some youth involved with the Brotherhood, such as a young man named Colin Putnam who wishes to join the Brotherhood to better humanity, an inexperienced member who lacks self-confidence named Erika Hewsen, as well as a young woman who blames the Brotherhood for her family's demise named Marcia Leone. To begin the Brotherhood questline, the player must be at least level 20 and will need to visit Fort Atlas.

Updates
Updates, or add-ons, in Fallout 76 are different from previous games. With the online nature of the game, add-ons function as a series of updates spanning a certain period of time featuring new content. All of this content is free and is incorporated into the game. These include:
 * Wild Appalachia - Released on March 13, 2019, introduced new features, creatures and quests.
 * Nuclear Winter - Released on June 10, 2019, includes a 52-player battle royale gameplay mode. Note that Nuclear Winter is defunct as of late 2021.
 * Wastelanders - Released on April 14, 2020, added human NPCs to the game for the first time.
 * The Legendary Run - Released on June 30, 2020, introduced the seasons system.
 * One Wasteland For All - Released on September 15, 2020, featured a substantial balance overhaul across the entire game.
 * Steel Dawn - Released on November 24, 2020, introducing new questlines and mechanics.
 * Locked & Loaded - Released on April 27, 2021, introduces S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Loadouts, C.A.M.P. Slots, new Daily Ops, and more.
 * Steel Reign - Released on July 7, 2021, introduces a new questline and mechanics with legendary effects.
 * Fallout Worlds - Released on September 8, 2021, featured two new game modes, Daily Ops expansion, and more
 * Night of the Moth - December 8, 2021
 * Tales from the Stars (2022)
 * Expeditions: The Pitt (2022)

Reception
Fallout 76 received "mixed or average" and "generally unfavorable" reviews on Metacritic, earning a metascore of 52/100 on PC, 53/100 on PS4, and 49/100 on Xbox One.

Since its launch, Fallout 76 received many bug fixes, content updates, and quality-of-life features over the next few years. Fallout 76 has "Mostly Positive" reviews on Steam with about 75-80% of recent players giving the game "positive" instead of "negative". The game continues to gain popularity in markets such as Japan.