Next-Gen Upgrade Arrives for Fallout 4
A highly anticipated free next-gen update has arrived for Bethesda’s acclaimed RPG, ‘Fallout 4.’ This update introduces significant enhancements, redefining the game’s visuals and performance on modern consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, despite their availability since 2020.
Performance and Quality Modes
This upgrade includes two key modes: ‘Performance’ and ‘Quality.’ The ‘Performance’ mode allows players to enjoy the game at dynamic 4K resolution while maintaining up to 60fps. Conversely, the ‘Quality’ mode focuses on visual fidelity, providing a constant 30fps at 4K resolution without dynamic scaling.
Notably, the update is not available for users who obtained ‘Fallout 4’ through PlayStation Plus.
From Delay to Launch: Timing the Update
Initially announced in 2022 with a planned 2023 release, the next-gen update was delayed to 2024. Its release coincides strategically with the surge in franchise popularity following the launch of the ‘Fallout’ TV series on Prime Video, potentially drawing new and returning players.
Updates for Last-Gen Consoles and PC
Additionally, Bethesda is releasing a free update for PS4 and Xbox One players that focuses on stability enhancements and fixes for quests and login issues. PC players will receive support for both widescreen and ultra-widescreen displays, among other improvements. ‘Fallout 4’ is also newly available on the Epic Games Store and has been optimized for the Steam Deck.
New Creation Club Content
The update also brings fresh, free content from the Creation Club, notably the ‘Enclave Remnants’ pack. This includes a compelling new quest, ‘Echoes of the Past,’ where players confront the notorious Enclave as they attempt to infiltrate the Commonwealth.
Impact on the Modding Community
The ramifications of this update on the vibrant user-created mod community are still unfolding, with notable mod projects like ‘Fallout London’ adjusting their timelines due to the new patch.
Game Pass and Mod Access Restored
As the update rolls out across various platforms, Bethesda has restored access to the Creation Club and Mods menu, which had been temporarily disabled. Furthermore, ‘Fallout 4’ is now available for free on Game Pass and Game Pass Core, inviting gamers to explore or revisit the post-apocalyptic expanses of the Commonwealth.
Patch Notes and Detailed Additions
For enthusiasts interested in modding. Check out the detailed patch notes to discover all the enhancements and additions this major update brings to ‘Fallout 4.’
Armor and Weapon Bundle
- X-02 Power Armor
- Hellfire Power Armor
- Heavy Incinerator
- Tesla Cannon
- Enclave Weapon Skins
- Enclave Armor Skins
Makeshift Weapon Pack
Whether it be grenades or piggy banks, there’s no shortage of objects you can transform into murderous projectiles with this collection of unique weapons. Included are two grenade launchers, a Nail Gun, Baseball Launcher, Saw Blade launcher, and piggy bank based weaponry.
(Quest “When Pigs Fly” starts at a merchant workshop northwest of Greenetech Genetics.)
Halloween Workshop
On the eve of the end, the New England Technocrat Society has thrown a spooky Halloween gala for anyone with the nerve to attend. Drop in on this fa-boo-lous pumpkin-lit soiree replete with witches, cauldrons, and ghouls, and unlock 38 new spine-tingling Halloween props to decorate your settlement! Includes new wearables, such as the iconic De-Capitalist helmet!
(Quest “All Hallow’s Eve” starts by tuning into the Mysterious Signal on your Pip-Boy.)
Changes and New Features
- Native PS5 and Xbox Series applications. Includes performance and quality mode options.
- Performance mode: 60 FPS target, 4K resolution, standard settings, relying on dynamic resolution scaling.
- Quality mode: 30 FPS*, 4K resolution, ultra settings, should not require dynamic resolution scaling.
- *When connected to a 120Hz display, Quality mode will target 40 FPS.
- *When connected to a 1440p display, the title will run at 1440p resolution at 60 FPS w/ ultra settings regardless of rendering mode.
- Release on Epic Store.
- Widescreen and Ultra-widescreen support.
- Steam Deck Verified.
- 9 Free Creation Club Items: Enclave Remnants (New!), Enclave Weapon Skins, Enclave Armor Skins, Tesla Cannon, Hellfire Power Armor, X-02 Power Armor, Heavy Incinerator, Halloween Workshop (New!), Makeshift Weapon Pack (New!).
- Added “Installed Content” menu.
Bug Fixes
- Resolved issues preventing Japanese and Chinese users from connecting to Bethesda.net (this restores access to Mods).
- Resolved issue preventing save data from properly loading during the prologue.
- Resolved issue that could prevent the Vault 111 Door from opening on new games.
- Resolved issue that could prevent the quest “Go Home” from advancing.
- Resolved issue that could result in Codsworth being broken on the ground after fast traveling.
- Resolved issue with mipmaps in DLC.
- Resolved issue that could result in a softlock when in dialogue with Preston Garvey.
- Resolved issue preventing autosaves while fast traveling in Power Armor.
- Fixed issue where text would occasionally disappear in the Creation Club menu.
- Resolved issues with text formatting in the credits in Japanese and Chinese.
- Resolved issue causing the camera to fail when leaving furniture after an extended time.
- Fixed issue that could misplace quest markers while the VR Workshop Creation was installed alongside Automatron.
- Resolved issue with player movement in some underwater areas at Thicket Excavations.
- Resolved issue that could cause corruption within the Settlement system resulting in wrong resource counts and/or destroyed settlements.
- Resolved issue where the “Level Up” notification would display even if there was not a level up available.
- Fixed some flickering in Vault 111.
- Stability improvements.
PC Only
- Resolved issue preventing saves being made under Windows Usernames with Cyrillic, Chinese, or Japanese characters.
- The Fallout 4 next-gen update is not currently available on GOG but will be available soon. We will let you know as soon as we can.
PlayStation Only
- Resolved issue that could keep the Pip-Boy light on when reading holotapes.
- Resolved issue that could prompt users to free up 0kb worth of space when attempting to save even if space was available.
- Fixed crash that could occur while loading a save that was made immediately before dying.
- Resolved issue that would prevent Codsworth from checking on Shaun in the intro.
Xbox Only
- Resolved issue where users would not always be returned to the main menu after signing out of their profile.
- Resolved crash that could occur if the player had unlocked all perks.
- Fixed lighting issue that could occur during Airship Down.
- Encountering a BNET error will now return you to the main menu instead of asking you to log in again.
- Resolved issue that could result in significant drop in frame rate when a Gas Canister is ignited by a Molotov Cocktail.
- Addressed some visual artifacts that could occur when dynamic resolution was triggered.
Creation Kit
- Removed non-functional “Hot Load” button.
- Removed non-functional “Material Editor” button.
- Editor IDs longer than 99 characters will no longer crash the editor.
- Resolved crash that could occur while viewing a quest’s Objectives tab.
- Resolved hang that could occur while adding a reference to a layer.
Final Thoughts
The latest Fallout 4 next-gen update significantly enhances the Commonwealth with advanced visual and performance upgrades. Featuring new quests like ‘Echoes of the Past’ and exclusive Creation Club content such as the Enclave Remnants, the update enriches both new and veteran players’ experiences. With upgrades like power armor and new Halloween props, these enhancements make exploring the post-apocalyptic wasteland more immersive. As Bethesda continues to evolve its world, Fallout 4 solidifies its status as an essential adventure in gaming.
Check out the Helldivers 2 Patch 01.000.203 update.
Written by Ronny Fiksdahl, Founder & Editor of Fix Gaming Channel.
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