Bethesda Game Studios will give the Fallout faithful a taste of Fallout 76 before its November 14, 2018 release date. We knew a beta was coming. Today, the folks at Bethesda offer a few more details on the when. Those of you with an Xbox One get first dibs starting sometime in October.
We’re blown away by the response to the B.E.T.A. Still sorting out the details but we’ll start letting you break-it in October. First on XB1, then PS4 and PC. #PleaseStandBy https://t.co/3XIR7grard pic.twitter.com/YQISJvis0P
— Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) July 23, 2018
A Bethesda Community Administrator details the staggered beta. “Starting in October we’ll be selecting people who have pre-ordered the game from a participating retailer to enter our B.E.T.A. We’ll start small and grow over time as we prepare for launch.”
At first glance, it reads like folks who preorder aren’t guaranteed access to the beta. Bethesda’s Pete Hines cleared it up shortly after the announcement.
No. All people who pre-ordered get in. So long as it's a participating retailer. If it's some key distributor or reseller, or who someone who can't you a BETA key from us, they aren't included. This has been true from the start.
— Pete Hines (@DCDeacon) July 23, 2018
Bethesda is gearing up for another detailed look at Fallout 76 during QuakeCon. On August 11 at 11 am CT, Todd Howard and others will pour over the character systems and perks coming to Fallout 76. Fans at QuakeCon and home will also get questions answered during a Q&A following the presentation.
While close to release, October’s beta will give Bethesda time to balance Fallout 76’s systems. I know I’m ready to see the nuclear missile camps in action. And I want to see what kind of multiplayer game Bethesda can deliver. It’s not in their wheelhouse of genres they usually tackle. Then again, developers have shown us they can step outside their comfort zone and deliver amazing games. Just look at Guerrilla Games with Horizon Zero Dawn.