Fallout 76‘s release date is a month away, but some players will have a chance to try Bethesda’s new multiplayer-focused RPG very soon. Following the recent pre-beta stress test, Bethesda is kicking off the first Fallout 76 beta session on Xbox One on October 23 (before expanding it to PS4 and PC the following week), and those who’ve qualified are able to pre-load it right now.
The Fallout 76 beta is open exclusively to those who’ve pre-ordered the game, so if you want to jump in, you’ll need to reserve Fallout 76 on your platform of choice. Not everyone who pre-orders will get into the beta right away, however, as Bethesda will gradually invite more players in waves. You’ll also need to have an Xbox Live Gold or PS Plus subscription in order to participate.
As Bethesda details on its FAQ page, to download the beta, you’ll first need to find the redemption code on your pre-order receipt or in the email confirmation you received. After that, you’ll need to log in to Bethesda’s website, then input the code using the link on the FAQ. Once that is completed, Bethesda says it will send an email with further instructions.
The first beta session is scheduled to begin on October 23 at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET and run until 8 PM PT / 11 PM ET. No further dates and times have been announced yet, but Bethesda says it will be running during “targeted time frames.” According to the developer, the purpose of the beta is to “stress test and break the game,” so players should expect some hiccups along the way. The beta will go on until shortly before the game’s launch next month.
Fallout 76 releases for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on November 14. Unlike previous installments in the series, 76 is an always-online RPG with an emphasis on multiplayer, which we found makes for a very different kind of Fallout game. You can learn more about the title in our roundup of everything we know about Fallout 76.
