‘Fallout 76’ PS4/PC Beta: Start And End Times, How To Get A Code And What You Need To Know

It’s time to hop back into the world of Fallout 76–for Xbox One owners, this will be the second or third time they’ve had the opportunity to see just what sort of strangeness Bethesda Softworks is cooking up for its first online-focused game. PS4 and PC owners are getting their first chance, however, though at this point it’s clear that there’s something to see there in the wastes of post-apocalyptic West Virginia. Here’s when you’ll want to login, and note the brevity of each window.

As with previous beta sessions, Bethesda is doing these in short, four-hour bursts in an effort to stress test servers and concentrate players. So if you can’t make one of these but want to try out the game, try to pick one out and hope the technical issues are kept at bay long enough to actually get in and play. Here are the upcoming sessions for PC and PS4, though Xbox One owners will also be able to sign in:

• Tuesday, Oct. 30: 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Eastern.
• Thursday, Nov. 1: 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
• Saturday, Nov. 3: 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
• Sunday, Nov. 4: 2:00- 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

Codes are awarded along with pre-orders, though giveaways happen. Keep an eye on social media and Twitch for any influencers that might have a stack handy.

Fallout 76 has had what you might call a mixed reception through its first betas. It’s an interesting experience, people are saying, but it’s a confusing world that seems to sit partway between multi and single player, and the lack of NPCs in the usually bustling world of Fallout remains disarming. And that’s not mentioning the technical issues: there are lots of technical issues. This is perhaps okay for a game that’s still technically in beta, though concerning for a game on the verge of release from a developer with a less-than-stellar reputation for shipping buggy games.

Still, I’m excited to give it a roll. I missed last week’s sessions because I had an extended date with Red Dead Redemption 2, but now I’ve finally got the weight of the Western world off of my shoulders and am free to try some other games. I loved the settlement system in Fallout 4, so I’m curious to see how things will have evolved this time around.