Why Fallout 76's Atlantic City Update was Split Into Two: Developer's Explanation
Discover the reasons behind the division of Fallout 76's highly anticipated Atlantic City update into two exciting parts, as revealed by a Fallout 76 developer in an exclusive Game Rant interview Get ready for double the content and double the excitement!
Fallout 76 continues to thrive, with ongoing support and fresh content updates that have attracted a record number of players. The forthcoming updates for Fallout 76, known as the Atlantic City updates, are generating anticipation as Bethesda gradually reveals more details.
In a recent interview, our website spoke with Jonathan Rush, the Art Director of Fallout 76, to gain insight into what players can expect from the upcoming updates and the reasoning behind their release strategy. The first installment of the Atlantic City updates is scheduled for release on December 5, 2023, coinciding with Fallout 76's weekly reset. Sadly, a release date for the second Atlantic City update has yet to be announced.
What to Expect From Fallout 76’s Atlantic City Updates
The initial Atlantic City update for Fallout 76 has offered players a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come. This update is currently available on the Public Test Server, allowing players to get a hands-on experience with the upcoming content and provide valuable feedback to Bethesda through the game’s official Discord server. However, it’s important to note that not all aspects of the new update have been unveiled yet, as per the usual practice for Fallout 76’s PTS. As for the upcoming Atlantic City updates, players can look forward to an exciting array of content, as explained by Rush.
The initial update will introduce players to Atlantic City, featuring two missions that uncover new areas, factions, characters, creatures, and rewards. Subsequently, the second update will expand the Atlantic City landscape to include more distinct locations and a third mission. Players will also have the opportunity to engage in various quests and freely explore Atlantic City. Rush elaborated that the primary Atlantic City update aims to provide multiple missions and Expeditions in Fallout 76, acquainting players with the region and its inhabitants. These factions, creatures, and enemies mentioned by Rush are none other than the three survivor factions that players will collaborate with, along with the menacing Overgrown enemy type and the legendary Jersey Devil cryptid.
The new missions and Expeditions in the first Atlantic City update will occur in the Boardwalk Paradise section of Atlantic City. In the second update, players will have the opportunity to explore the America's Playground area and freely navigate all of Atlantic City at their own pace. According to Rush, the first update will familiarize players with the ongoing conflict among Atlantic City's three factions. In the questlines of the second update, players will witness the influence of these factions and their own presence in the new region. Furthermore, these storylines will even connect back to the narratives of Fallout 76's Appalachian wasteland.
Two Updates Are Better Than One
The Atlantic City update for Fallout 76 has been recently announced as a two-part update. When questioned about the decision to split the update into separate releases, Rush provided an explanation.
The decision to split the releases into two parts was primarily driven by the distinct experiences that players have with these types of content and how they align with the stories we are telling through the updates. Contrary to players' expectations of free-roaming the new region before diving into the Expeditions, Fallout 76 will be taking the opposite approach. The studio believes that this pacing will result in a more enjoyable and cohesive experience across the updates, and it also aligns better with the questlines and additional content featured in each update.
The split ultimately means that players will have ample opportunities to engage with the Atlantic City content, resulting in two Seasons and Scoreboards' worth of thematically appropriate rewards. Along with the excitement of new content, the release of the two Atlantic City updates will also introduce numerous changes and fresh features to Fallout 76. This will effectively provide players with new expansions for the game, as well as general updates, all of which will be available free of charge to everyone.
Fallout 76
Franchise: Fallout
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: November 14, 2018
Developer: Bethesda
Publisher: Bethesda
Genre: Action, RPG
Multiplayer: Online multiplayer
Engine: Creation
ESRB Rating: M for Mature - Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
Estimated Gameplay Time: 34 Hours
PS Plus Availability: Extra & Premium - Available on the PlayStation Store.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the upcoming Fallout 76 Atlantic City update. The fact that it will be released in two parts only heightens my anticipation. I appreciate the developer's decision to split the update into two parts, as it will allow for a more enjoyable and cohesive experience.
The first part of the update, which is currently available on the Public Test Server, has already given me a taste of what's to come, and I can't wait to explore the new areas, meet new characters, and take on new challenges. I'm particularly interested in learning more about the three survivor factions and their conflict with each other. The Overgrown enemy type and the legendary Jersey Devil cryptid also sound like formidable opponents, and I'm eager to see how they will challenge me.
