In response to a number of requests by encumbered Vault Dwellers, Fallout 76 developer Bethesda is launching its highly-anticipated “Quality-of-Life Update” on January 26. Players can expect to hoard a lot more items with expanded storage space, as well as a number of additional improvements that will make post-apocalyptic adventuring easier.
In addition to announcing Fallout 76’s Season 3, “Scribe of Avalon,” in early December, Bethesda promised to address a number of fan concerns with a patch sometime in January. Fallout’s official Twitter account announced that the update will arrive on January 26 including a 50 percent stash limit increase, improvements to item details, vending machine map previews, and additional Pip-Boy tabs to help Vault Dwellers enjoy a more organized experience in the Appalachian wastes.
It was apparently clear to Bethesda that there was a number of community concerns that still needed to be resolved following Fallout 76’s Steel Dawn expansion, beginning with player inventory. Stash limits will be increased to a maximum of 1,200 pounds, allowing scavengers to stash away as many Dandy Boy Apples and mini nukes as their hearts desire. Additionally, players will no longer have to calculate the weight of their item stacks, as the total weight will be included in its Item Details.
The Pip-Boy will be getting a much-needed update as well. “New,” “Armor,” and “Food/Drink” tabs are being added to the Pip-Boy menu, allowing players to find whatever item they need quickly. A new Vending Machine Map Preview feature is also being added to the Pip-Boy that provides a preview of the 1-, 2-, and 3-star legendary weapons and armor a player is selling, no longer displaying empty item categories.
While Fallout 76 had one of the most controversial launches in recent memory, Bethesda has implemented a number of patches and updates to improve the game’s online experience. The studio has shown that it takes community feedback seriously, adding NPCs and fine-tuning various glitches the series is well-known for. This upcoming patch demonstrates Bethesda’s continued effort to achieve the standard fans expected from the online survival game.
Bethesda’s director and executive producer Todd Howard recently commented on the disappointment of Fallout 76 among fans of the series. In an interview with The Guardian he called the title a “let down,” acknowledging the game’s shortcomings in delivering the online Fallout experience fans were hoping for.
The evolution of the Bethesda’s MMO Elder Scrolls Online shows the developer’s capability to adapt and provide a quality experience in an online medium. The decision to provide online experiences for its major franchises has been met with mixed reviews, as many long-time fans of the studio are frustrated with the delays of its single-player releases. As Bethesda continues to grow, many hope it will be able to support the online communities of core franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout while not losing focus on the beloved series that drew fans in.
Fallout 76 is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.