Fallout 76: Nuclear Winter

Appalachia is on fire! Nuclear Winter is here! Gather your friends, fight off other survivors and creatures, and survive the storm!

Overview

Game Info

Name: Nuclear Winter
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Role: Game Designer
Type: Battle Royale, Multiplayer
Engine: Creation Kit
Released: June 10, 2019

Features

  • A new vault to explore! Vault 51
  • New rewards
  • Modified weapons, armor, and mods
  • A deadly fire storm
  • New perk cards​​

Design

High Concept

Create a fun PVP experience for Fallout 76 players.

Summary

Nuclear Winter is a multiplayer mode where 52 players jump into the world of Fallout 76 to battle for supremacy and be crowned the new overseer of Vault 51.

​Players level up their Overseer rank, earn rewards, and fight others in this fun and free addition to the Fallout 76 world.

Design Goals

  • ​​Create a new PVP mode in a fun play space for the already existing world of Fallout 76 without changing the geometry.
  • Update and streamline the weapons/mods/armor to work more in line with fast-paced PVP expectations.​
  • Keep in core elements of the main game (PVE and building).

Responsibilities

  • ​​Designed and wrote documentation on new features and player abilities.
  • Developed and produced the Morgantown map for Nuclear Winter.
    • This involved choosing and testing the location, placing crates, setting up storm timings, removing items from the area that were intrusive to our mode, setting up enemy types, and more. 
  • Worked with another designer to balance the weapons.​
  • Setup and balanced the loot distribution.
  • Balanced the storm.
  • Created quick camp constructions.​