'Fallout 76' Beta Release Confirmed: Nuke Those Country Roads Starting Oct. 23

Bethesda fans have eagerly anticipated the Fallout 76 beta release since the project was first announced in June. And while this isn't Bethesda's first MMO (what's up, Elder Scrolls Online fans) it is the first set in the Fallout universe which is, arguably, Bethesda's best world (suck it, Elder Scrolls Online fans). Confirmed via official press release, Bethesda will launch the Fallout 76 beta on Tuesday, Oct. 23 on Xbox One and one week later for PlayStation 4 and PC players on Tuesday, Oct 30.

How To Access The Fallout 76 Beta

Now that we know the date, your next question is "how do I get it?" Fortunately, it's pretty simple.

1. PRE-ORDER FALLOUT 76
2. LOCATE THE REDEMPTION CODE ON YOUR PRE-ORDER RECEIPT OR EMAIL CONFIRMATION
3. GO TO BETHESDA.NET
4. LOG-IN OR FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO CREATE A BETHESDA.NET ACCOUNT
5. ENTER YOUR CODE HERE

Will The Fallout 76 Beta Work?

Probably not like you'd want it to. This official name is the Fallout 76 B.E.T.A., which stands for the Break-It Early Test Application. This is a massive, ambitious MMO but with big ideas often come big problems. Bethesda has already confirmed via its FAQ page the servers won't be live 24/7 during the beta, so expect downtime and outages as the Bethesda devs forgo life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to feverishly update, troubleshoot and bug squash the game.

How Big Is The Fallout 76 Beta?

Right now, the listed download size is 45 GB. Console players will have to re-download a launch version when the game officially releases on Nov. 14, but PC players will just receive an update. As of now, the FAQ states that any progress you make in the beta will be carried over into the main game. However, betas can be unpredictable and Bethesda games are notorious for their delightful "features," so if any wild exploits or cheats emerge during the beta that gives people massively unfair advantages Bethesda might be forced to address those. So play nice!