Bethesda Softworks has posted the first in a planned series of "Inside the Vault" updates on the status of Fallout 76, which includes an acknowledgment of the game's many problems and a promise of fixes to come. It also lays out the basics of two patches slated for December that will, among other things, increase the size of the stash, add a push-to-talk function and FOV setting for the PC version of the game, and incorporate a new Bulldozer feature that will simplify the process of removing rocks, trees, and other detritus prior to placing your CAMP.
"We want you to know that we’re committed to rolling out fixes and features on a regular basis, and implementing changes based on your feedback. We also continue to work on an incredible list of updates for the game, including new quests and events, new Vaults opening, a faction-based PvP system, and much more," Bethesda wrote. "We’re confident, with your support, we can make Fallout 76 an incredible experience for years to come."
The first of the promised upcoming patches is tentatively slated for December 4, although Bethesda warned that "timing may shift based on a variety of reasons, like server stability or other needs." Highlights of that update include:
- Stash Limit Increased: We know many of you have been asking for an adjustment to the Stash storage limit, and we’re happy to share that we’re increasing it from 400 to 600. While this is somewhat conservative, we plan to increase the storage cap further once we verify that this change will not negatively impact the stability of the game.
- Boss Loot: Players should correctly receive two to three items after taking down a boss, depending on the creature’s difficulty and level.
- Cryolator Effects: Players hit with the Cryolator are now Chilled, Frosted, or Frozen depending on how many times they are hit. The duration of movement speed reductions applied by these effects have also been decreased from 2 hours to 30 seconds.
- Respawning When Overencumbered: We’ve resolved an issue affecting players who die while overencumbered that only allowed them to Respawn at Vault 76. Now, overencumbered players will be able to respawn at the nearest discovered Map Marker.
- Stuck in Power Armor: We’ve addressed an issue in this patch that could cause players to become stuck inside Power Armor. We’re also aware that there are some additional cases where this can occur, and we are actively investigating them.
The second patch is expected to be ready a week later, December 11, although that is subject to change as well.
- PC Additions: A Push-to-Talk setting for Voice Chat, 21:9 resolution support, and a Field of View setting are all being implemented on PC with this update.
- SPECIAL Respec: After level 50, you’ll be able to choose between a new Perk Card, or moving a SPECIAL point you had previously allocated.
- C.A.M.P. Placement on Login: Your C.A.M.P. will no longer be automatically blueprinted and stored if someone is occupying your location when you log into a server. Instead, you’ll receive a notification that your space is occupied. If you decide to find a new home for your C.A.M.P. on that server, it will be free to do so. However, if you don’t attempt to place down your C.A.M.P., you will be able to switch to a new server where that spot is vacant and your C.A.M.P. will be fully assembled and waiting for you.
- Bulldozer: This is a new C.A.M.P. feature that will allow you to remove small trees, rocks, and other obstructions so it’s easier to create and place your C.A.M.P. when and where you want it. You can also use the Bulldozer to clear these items from the surrounding area to make your C.A.M.P. feel more like home!
On top of the major changes, both patches will make various bug fixes and tweaks, and Bethesda said that it's also working to reduce the size of its patches in the future, so players don't have to deal with whopping monstrosities like the one last week.
Bethesda delivered a more full-throated apology for the state of Fallout 76 in a message posted to Reddit, just ahead of the rollout of the Bethesda.net update.
"We know you’re frustrated and angry at the state of things right now, whether it’s the issues you’re running into in the game, or the lack of communication about fixes, updates, or news. To be clear, this account is run by us, Bethesda Game Studios community team," it wrote.
"Yesterday we posted to let you know that we’re still here gathering your feedback and, more importantly, working to get info from the team we can share. We didn’t want you to think the silence meant nothing was happening. We're sorry and understand this was not the right approach, and we’ll work to make a better bridge between you and the dev team at BGS."
Full patch notes for the first update are expected to be posted later this week.
