Get ready for a brand-new adventure! The highly anticipated Fallout 76 Burning Springs update is taking players across the border into Ohio, bringing along the fan-favorite Ghoul character from the Amazon Prime series. Having meticulously transformed Fallout 76 into a top-tier survival game on PC, Bethesda is set to expand the map further west. Creative Director Jon Rush and Lead Producer Bill LaCoste recently offered a glimpse into what awaits players in Burning Springs, drawing inspiration from classic titles like Fallout 3 and New Vegas. This update is so exciting, it might just convince me to jump back into the wasteland with my trusty Fixer!
Both Rush and LaCoste enthusiastically label Fallout 76: Burning Springs as the “biggest update ever.” This new content is designed to be “in complete tonal tandem” with Season 2 of the beloved Fallout show on Prime, with a planned release in December. Players will soon get a sneak peek on the Public Test Server (PTS). To reach this new frontier, cross the Silver Bridge in the northwest, and you’ll enter the untamed lands of Ohio. Prepare for an immediate confrontation with the towering, rusted defenses of Checkpoint Canyon, fiercely guarded by the intimidating Rust Guards.
Our Vault Dweller’s journey quickly takes a turn as they’re captured and brought before the Rust King, a formidable yet surprisingly articulate Super Mutant who presides over a brutal arena. Impressed by the Vault Dweller’s spirit, he offers a chance at freedom: fight, and temporarily walk away, directed toward a cunning individual named Runt in Highway Town.
Highway Town, ingeniously constructed within a ruined section of elevated road, is where we encounter Runt – a craven agent of the Rust King. As players strive to build favor with the Rust King through various trials, an unexpected reunion occurs: Eugene, a former prison mate, dramatically reappears.
Believed to be deceased, Eugene makes a dramatic entrance, brutally dispatching Runt and proposing an alliance to dismantle the Rust King’s oppressive regime. Accepting his offer initiates a quest to recruit various individuals to their cause. While this storyline forms the core narrative of Burning Springs, let’s explore some of the other exciting features.
At Highway Town’s Last Resort bar, a truly iconic figure awaits: The Ghoul, the fan-favorite character from the Prime show, voiced by none other than Walton Goggins. He’s established a lucrative bounty operation, offloading less appealing contracts to eager adventurers. These “Grunt Hunts” are readily available, with targets appearing across 20 distinct locations in Ohio, offering straightforward “find and eliminate” missions for satisfying rewards.
For those seeking a greater challenge, “Head Hunts” offer significantly more dangerous contracts. These aren’t meant to be faced alone; accepting one triggers a public event, inviting all players on your server to join the fray. While only one Head Hunt can be active per region at a time, the unique rewards, caps, and experience points guarantee a constant flow of these exhilarating encounters, according to Rush and LaCoste.
With a continuous supply of bounties, players can engage as much as they desire. The developers even hinted at a potential future expansion of this system across the entire map if it gains popularity. In a playful exchange, Rush quipped, “Bill, if The Ghoul put out a bounty on me, would you take it?” LaCoste’s immediate response was a firm nod and a chuckle: “Yeah. You’d respawn.” A clearly amused Rush responded, “You didn’t even hesitate.”
LaCoste highlights that Ohio, being relatively untouched in existing Fallout lore, served as a “blank slate” for the development team. Players will be able to establish camps, discover new aquatic life, and uncover local legends. Rush playfully hinted at unique discoveries if players decide to nuke the region (though Highway Town remains off-limits). Furthermore, players who embrace ghoulification will find special features tailored to their new state. With a knowing wink, Rush teased, “If we were ever to make a ‘raid two,’ we would definitely consider ghouls.”
The preview concluded with a look at two new public events. “Sinkhole Solutions” tasks players with destroying nests, fending off Radscorpions, and confronting a Legendary Burning Ogua. More intriguing was the visit to Jackson Junkyard, where players will encounter the Beastmaster. This character is responsible for outfitting the Rust King’s enslaved Deathclaws with metallic armor, a process she seems less than enthusiastic about, despite the creatures’ newfound docility.
During this event, players must collect scrap metal and deliver it to a forge, where a new Deathclaw receives its armor. The armored creature then requires an escort to its destination, demanding players defend against relentless attacks from bandits and Snallygaster hordes. The ultimate test comes in a climactic battle against a colossal Legendary Deathclaw Matriarch, a fight guaranteed to push any group to its limits.
Mark your calendars: The Fallout 76 Burning Springs update hits the Public Test Server on Thursday, October 2nd, offering an early chance to encounter The Ghoul, brought to life by Walton Goggins. The complete launch, alongside Season 23: ‘Blood and Rust,’ is slated for December.
While official news on the Fallout 5 release date remains elusive, Fallout 76 has truly blossomed into a highly recommendable experience for series enthusiasts, particularly those new to the games after enjoying the TV show. For veteran Vault Dwellers who have explored every corner, we’ve compiled a list of other fantastic games that capture the spirit of Fallout.
Are you ready to join the fray in Burning Springs? Share your thoughts on this exciting update and showcase your most impressive C.A.M.P. builds with fellow enthusiasts!