Fallout 76 Updates: Ghoul Gameplay, Camp Pets, and Fishing Revealed

Bethesda has officially launched its first ever Fallout Day broadcast, showcasing the latest and upcoming features for Fallout 76. The excitement surrounding this event is palpable, as dedicated fans look forward to the fascinating expansions of their favorite game.

October 23 is significant to Fallout lore, marking the date when the Great War occurred in 2077, resulting in catastrophic nuclear devastation. While no major new game announcements were made, such as awaited developments for Fallout 5, Bethesda utilized this opportunity to highlight Fallout 76 and its increasing popularity. This year has seen the highest player counts in Fallout history, with Fallout 76 approaching its sixth anniversary and surpassing 20 million players, a milestone significantly impacted by the success of the Fallout TV series on Prime Video. In celebration of Fallout Day, Fallout 76 is playable for free until October 29.

The highlight of the presentation included new features that players can expect in the game soon. A much-anticipated addition is the introduction of camp pets. Players will be able to adopt a cat and a dog, providing a new interactive element within their camps. You can pet them and even customize their environment with furnishings like scratching posts or bone-filled dirt piles.

Camp pets will enrich player interactions. Image source: Bethesda.

Bethesda also teased that additional non-furry pets would arrive in future updates, generating curiosity among the player base.

Furthermore, Bethesda announced player titles that will be accessible in December. These titles will allow players to create unique nicknames by combining prefixes and suffixes; they are earnable through in-game achievements, contributing to personalizing the gameplay experience.

Players can earn unique titles as they progress in the game.

The event further detailed an upcoming challenging raid called the Gleaming Depths, tailored for hardcore players. This raid introduces a traditional MMO-style dungeon experience that requires organized groups of four players with sufficient gear and levels around 300 to even hope to succeed. The setting: an abandoned Enclave research lab, featuring an epic battle against the Ultracite Terror, essentially a gigantic irradiated snake.

Another exciting reveal during the broadcast was the introduction of 4-star legendaries. These will offer the game’s highest-tier weapons and armor, raising the stakes and providing players with new equipment options.

In a groundbreaking move, Bethesda announced that players would soon be able to transform into ghouls for the first time in Fallout history, beginning in early 2025. During the broadcast, developers showcased the transformative gameplay of ghouls, which comes with unique abilities.

Transforming into a ghoul comes with new gameplay mechanics. Image source: Bethesda.

Once players reach level 50 and complete the Ghoulification quest, they will become immune to radiation damage, allowing them to thrive in irradiated environments. Instead of hunger or thirst mechanics, they will monitor a new feral meter. Embracing the feral side also increases combat capabilities, granting them unique abilities like becoming a melee-focused berserker capable of overwhelming foes like the Deathclaw.

Players will also have new narrative options, complicated by the various factions' perceptions of ghouls within the game. Expect tense interactions with the Brotherhood of Steel, who notably harbor disdain for ghouls. Nonetheless, dedicated players might discover ways to navigate societal challenges, potentially even disguising themselves to overcome typical faction resistance. And for those concerned about their ghoul transformation, reverting to human form is an option if players find the change unsatisfactory.

Players can revert to human after their ghoul transformation if desired.

Lastly, Bethesda hinted at the long-requested addition of fishing to Fallout 76, an exciting feature that promises to add more recreational activities to the game, giving players even more to enjoy in the post-apocalyptic world.

The broadcast concluded with Bethesda’s Todd Howard thanking fans for their continued support, conveying optimism for the direction of Fallout even after decades of engagement with the franchise. The announcement of these new features has sparked excitement among the community and anticipation for the next chapter in the Fallout universe.