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Fallout 76 DLC Will Be Free Because of Microtransactions
There's great news for fans of Fallout 76 as Bethesda confirms the game's DLC content will be free for all. Although the company has a chequered past when it comes to microtransactions, Bethesda hopes to fund all of Fallout 76's post-release material through the main game's use of selling cosmetic upgrades.
Instead of being an expected Fallout 3 remaster or a New Vegas sequel, Fallout 76 was a surprise announcement in the run-up to this year's E3. While opinions were originally divided about such a stark contrast to what players have come to love about Fallout, Bethesda looks to change that as it pushes the envelope further. Not content with being an MMO to rival the rest and ditching its standard NPCs, 76 will use maligned microtransactions to actually help the game.
Documentary filmmakers NoClip released The Making of Fallout 76 and revealed some interesting details about what fans can expect. Remembered for overpriced DLC packages, Bethesda hopes to put the disastrous "Horse Armor" meme from Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion behind it through Fallout 76's cosmetic microtransactions instead of a pay-to-win style of gameplay. Promising that content will be free for "years to come," Fallout 76's DLCs will be powered by microtransactions as a clever way to keep gamers coming back for more.
Although cosmetic additions can be earned by working through the game, those who want a shiny new armor or to rock a pink mohawk can purchase the latest must-have trends with real-world money. Begging the question of what can a DLC actually include that hasn't already been thought of, NoClip's documentary also reveals that the game will have six different areas, contains dynamic events, and will bring back the ability of player mutations.
Looking back at Fallout 4 in particular, the Far Harbor and Nuka-World DLCs offered plenty of additional content and gave players yet another reason to pick up the game once again. Although both DLCs paled in comparison to Fallout 4's main story, they showed that Bethesda is committed to an ambitious post-release experience instead of just moving onto its next game. For a studio is known for its DLCs, fans can only imagine what could be heading for a game as large as Fallout 76 is promised to be.
With loot boxes being such a controversial topic at the moment, Bethesda is going one step further by using microtransaction profits to help enhance Fallout 76 instead of line the studio's pockets. The incentive is there to part with actual cash if it helps bring more DLC content to the table, but only time will tell how well this business model works. If players aren't willing to spend money on changing their appearance, Fallout 76's free post-release content could fall at the first hurdle.
