Bethesda Softworks and Bethesda Game Studios today released a blog post announcing that the premium subscription known as Fallout 1st will provide players with access to private servers for $12.99 a month or $99.99 a year. Fallout 76 is out now across PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Here’s the tl;dr for those that don’t want to read through Bethesda’s train wreck. Fallout 1st is a premium subscription (that runs for $12.99 per month or $99.99 for 12 months), and grants the following:
- You can play in a Private World exclusively where up to seven friends can join.
- You have access to unlimited storage for crafting components in your own new Scrapbox container.
- There is a new placeable fast travel point with a Stash, Sleeping Bag, and more for your basic needs.
- Every month you gain 1,650 Atoms to use in the Atomic Shop.
- Members gain access to the iconic Fallout Ranger Outfit.
- You also gain access to unique icons and emotes.
The announcement can be found over on fallout.bethesda.net or Twitter via the company’s official account, which has stirred up the hornet’s nest amongst gamers and fans alike.
Anyway, the write up sits below:
We’re launching a new service today – Fallout 1st. No matter how you play #Fallout76, it has something for everyone. https://t.co/xNk5lHKqpv pic.twitter.com/Dvu7qZ6Zco
— Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) October 23, 2019
Bethesda and crew are using this subscription to nickel and dime fans on things that should have been in the game since day one, and the team knows that the content added is something that is in demand, hence the paywall:
“Ever since Fallout 76 launched, we have consistently worked to improve and evolve the experience based on your feedback. That’s why we’re excited to launch Fallout 1st, a premium membership that offers something players have been asking for since before launch: private worlds for you and select friends. In addition to this huge feature, Fallout 1st also includes a host of exclusive items and membership bonuses, all of which you can find detailed below. And the best part? Fallout 1st is available right now.”
What makes matters worse is that this is “paid mods 3.0,” with the first being the 2015 Steam Workshop mess, the second being the Creation Club, and now this:
“We’ve also received a lot of questions about playing Fallout 76 with mods and this, too, is something we’re excited to add to private worlds in the future.”
At this point, Bethesda is looking to experiment on how far they can go with ripping off people much like 2K is doing with the NBA 2k series of games — or for that matter, any yearly sports title.
Lastly, Fallout 76 and its paid subscription that is known as Fallout 1st is live right now for PC and home console goers.
