Fallout 76 (PC) Milepost Zero Developer preview: This could be the game's most fun update yet

Bethesda Game Studios’s newest chapter for Fallout 76 with the Milepost Zero update releases on 3 September – tomorrow!

Centred around the beloved Blue Ridge Caravan Company, this latest addition brings new quests, mechanics, and features that reflect the long-standing tradition of caravanning in the Fallout series. The developers have seamlessly integrated the Blue Ridge Caravan Company into the broader narrative of the game, offering players an enriched experience that merges both old and new elements of the Fallout universe.

“Caravanning has been a relevant theme in Fallout titles all the way back to the first release,” says Jonathan Rush, creative director at Bethesda, in an interview with HWZ. “We figured that the Blue Ridge would want to set up operations in that space, so bringing the two together was a perfect fit.”

The update introduces the Milepost Zero outpost, a new central hub where players can establish their own caravan operations. Upon completing caravan missions, players earn unique vendors such as the Brahmin Tamer, who allows them to upgrade their Brahmin, or the Ammo Merchant, who offers rare items, including the V63 Laser Carbine.

Jonathan also says, “Caravan running is a tough racket! It doesn’t always pan out…but when it does, what’s in it for you?  Successful caravan runs will grant players their own unique caravan outposts, which they can decorate according to various themes, and even attract special merchants and vendors from far away.” The ability to upgrade these vendors and decorate the outpost according to individual tastes adds a layer of personalisation that I’m sure many players will appreciate​.

At the core of this update is the caravan questline, which enables players to escort missions across Skyline Valley. These quests are designed to be dynamic, offering a mix of escort and defense roles that can be completed either solo or with a group. Bethesda has clearly aimed to make these missions both accessible and engaging. Jonathan shares that running a caravan route can be extremely rewarding for the small amount of time it takes. They’re usually around 10 minutes from start to finish and fit very well in between the ongoing events rotation.

“The caravan running allows anyone to hop in and help out. Not only that, but multiple caravans can also be run at once along Skyline Valley, bringing a lot of “hustle and bustle” to the region. And you can prod the brahmins into moving more quickly!” he adds.

In addition to these new missions, the Milepost Zero update brings several enhancements aimed at enriching the overall player experience. One of the most significant changes is the overhaul of the Legendary Crafting system. Previously, players used Legendary Cores to upgrade their gear, but these have now been made obsolete in favour of a more streamlined system that uses Scrip and Legendary Modules. This change gives players more control over their builds, allowing them to fine-tune their gear and experiment with different playstyles. The developers hope this adjustment will create a more balanced and enjoyable experience for all players, regardless of their level or style of play​.

Bethesda has also added a social feature called Best Builds, which lets players submit their CAMPs for public voting. This new mechanic is designed to foster creativity and engagement within the community. The most popular builds will be highlighted across multiple servers, providing a platform for players to showcase their designs to the entire community.

According to Jonathan, Best Builds is a game changer for builders. “Did you make an awesome camp that you would like more players to see? You can now submit your camp as a Best Builds certified camp. Your camp will be marked differently on the map, letting players know that if they like it, they can give you a thumbs up. Camps that receive a high volume of likes will be featured on multiple servers across Appalachia.”

The development team has paid close attention to community feedback while crafting the Milepost Zero update. The revamped Legendary Crafting system, for instance, was heavily influenced by player requests for more intuitive and flexible mechanics. “We stay very up to date with community sentiment and feedback,” Jonthan notes. “I like to look at this information from a high level, trying to recognize the larger themes apart from the smaller, specific details.” This ongoing dialogue with the community is evident in many aspects of the update, from the caravan missions to the new vendors and outposts​.

Despite the excitement surrounding the update, the development process was not without its challenges. One of the more humorous obstacles involved keeping the Brahmin, the game’s pack animals, on track during caravan missions. Jonathan humorously pointed out, “Little known fact, brahmin actually eat multiple times their bodyweight each day…they can often be distracted by clumps of tasty, dead grass.”

The Milepost Zero update is an affirmation of Bethesda’s commitment to continue to evolve and keep Fallout 76 updated with meaningful enhancements that not only keep players engaged, but also deepen the game’s lore.

For both existing and perhaps even new players, the Milepost Zero update offers a wealth of new experiences. Whether it’s running a caravan route, fine-tuning a legendary build, or crafting the perfect CAMP, there’s plenty to explore and enjoy in this latest chapter of Fallout 76.

Fallout 76 is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and 5. The game is available for S$53.99 on Steam, S$54.00 at the Xbox Store, or S$55.93 at the PlayStation Store.

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