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Fallout 76: 7 New Things We’ve Learned Since E3
A whole new Wasteland.
After announcing Fallout 76 in late May, Bethesda revealed tons of details about its online action-RPG during E3 2018. We learned it'll exist "entirely online," feature a real-time version of the series' signature V.A.T.S. system, and receive mod support sometime after launch. We also know it'll be released later this year on November 14.
Naturally, Fallout faithful and newcomers alike were left with endless questions about the intricacies of how an online Fallout game will work. Can I avoid other players? What about nukes? What's the post-launch content plan? How did an online Fallout come to be in the first place? To answer these questions, we combed through various Fallout 76-related interviews and videos and compiled our findings below.
Yes, There Will Be Fast Travel (but Not Vehicles)
With a map four times the size of Fallout 4's, some form of expedited transportation is a necessity. Thankfully, in an interview with multiplayer.it (via PC Gamer), Bethesda Game Studios' Todd Howard confirmed there will be fast travel, though answered "no" when asked if players will be able to navigate post-apocalyptic West Virginia with vehicles or mounts.
New Players Are Safe from PvP
In the same interview, Howard addressed concerns about receiving an unfriendly welcome immediately upon exiting Vault 76. To prevent this kind of behavior, Howard said players below level five can't be killed by other players in Fallout 76's current build. However, he added this rule is not set in stone and may be adjusted before launch.
C.A.M.P. Building System Detailed
The building/crafting system, C.A.M.P. (Construction and Assembly Mobile Platform), will seemingly play an important role in Fallout 76's gameplay. While structures can be damaged by creatures and players alike, Howard notes other players will only be able to "partially" damage your camp. He added players shouldn't sweat destruction too much, as settlements will cost little to repair. And as previously announced, Howard reiterated your camp will disappear when you go offline, keeping it safe from the dangers of the Wasteland.
The Consequences (And Rewards) of Nukes
As detailed during E3, players will be able to collect nuclear codes and launch nukes to alter parts of the map. However, in an interview with FZ (via PC Gamer), Bethesda's Pete Hines made it clear nukes can only be launched at targeted locations on the map; they can't be directed at specific players. Hines also emphasized players shouldn't have to constantly fear a nuclear attack, as obtaining the necessary codes is a difficult process. Furthermore, once the launch is initiated, players will be notified, allowing them to evacuate the area.
Once a nuke lands, it'll create a dangerous, high-level zone for a limited time. Here, enemies will be tougher, but resources and rarer loot drops will be more frequent and more valuable.
There Appears to Be a Photo Mode
Fallout 76 will seemingly feature a fairly involved photo mode. As seen in the C.A.M.P. video, after killing a massive, mutated creature, players are able to pose with the carcass and capture the moment. The UI seen in the image below hints at various expressions, poses, and editing options that may be available in the mode.
Fallout 76's apparent photo mode
All DLC Will Be Free
In the aforementioned interview with FZ, Hines also revealed all post-launch content — "small DLC" and "big DLC" — will be free. He added new content is important to Fallout 76's long-term success as it will allow the game to "continue to grow and evolve based on what the community says."
Fallout 76 Began as Fallout 4's Multiplayer Mode
"Fallout 76 is the multiplayer design from Fallout 4," Howard said in the Fallout 76-focused Noclip documentary. He revealed the team at Bethesda was experimenting with a multiplayer mode for Fallout 4, but ultimately decided to scrap it in favor of an exclusively single-player experience.
As development progressed on Fallout 4, Howard said he often questioned whether or not they should've followed through with the multiplayer mode. This nagging thought was seemingly the catalyst for what became Fallout 76, as Howard said he and the folks at Bethesda eventually decided to take what they had built and make it "its own thing."
For more, be sure to check out IGN's complete history of Vault 76 and read why Fallout 76 won't feature cross-play. And be sure to stay tuned to IGN as we continue to learn more about Fallout 76 leading up to its launch this November.
Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter @jdsirani.