Fallout 76 And The Rise of Survival Games
Games TM|Issue 205

What should Bethesda learn from the growing and diverse range of sandbox survival playgrounds that precede its latest offering?

Fallout 76 And The Rise of Survival Games

ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT SURVIVAL GAMES IS THAT THEY TAP INTO THE CORE APPEAL OF PLAYING A VIDEOGAME IN THE FIRST PLACE; TESTING YOURSELF AGAINST THE SYSTEMS THAT A DEVELOPER HAS CREATED TO CHALLENGE YOU. Today that test is against thirst, hunger and fatigue, random encounters with enemy AI or the threat of other human opponents in a sparse open world setting, when previously the test would have been being able to leap from one block to another as fast as possible while avoiding a pursuing ghost. The value is ultimately the same even if the technology now is far more evolved and immersive in nature.

And so, in some respects, the rise of the survival game genre and its copious examples of the form in recent years should come as little surprise. It’s the very epitome of the stripped, back to basics approach to game design that so many feel an affinity with. And while Bethesda’s Fallout titles have tended to be much more involved and complex beasts, it also makes a lot of sense that this franchise would look to tap into that core appeal a little more and test itself in a new playground that can appeal to a different kind of gamer than its RPG fare has reached thus far.

For starters, Bethesda’s foray into the survival experience, Fallout 76, comes pre-packaged with one of the most important things a good survival requires; an interesting world. “I think an interesting universe is as important as a good gameplay loop,” 11 Bit Studios partnerships manager Pawel Miechowski tells us. “It makes things believable for the player even if we’re talking about fantasy worlds.” 11 Bit’s recent survival offering, Frostpunk, was a little different from most since it brought together elements of survival with city management. However, what it shares with the wider Fallout universe is a post-apocalyptic world setting that pushes humanity to the edge.

This story is from the Issue 205 edition of Games TM.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Issue 205 edition of Games TM.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GAMES TMView All
Taking Fight
Games TM

Taking Fight

We sit down with Bioware'sJon Warner to dive into anthem. The studious attempt to tell a different type of story.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 205
Everything Old Is New Again In Resident Evil 2
Games TM

Everything Old Is New Again In Resident Evil 2

Hands-on with Capcoms stunning reimagining of a survival horror classic.

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 205
Battlefield V Is Well Worth Your Time And Attention
Games TM

Battlefield V Is Well Worth Your Time And Attention

Hands-On Ahead Of The Delay.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 205
The God Father
Games TM

The God Father

Sony Santa Monica studio’s creative director Cory Barlog discusses the challenges, hurdles, naysayers and triumphs of his attempt to modernise God Of War as we go handson with the nearfinished action epic.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Issue 198
A Plague Tale: Innocence Is Not A Game For The Musophobic
Games TM

A Plague Tale: Innocence Is Not A Game For The Musophobic

An emotional adventure through a world wrought with decay… and rats.

time-read
4 mins  |
Issue 198
In Other Waters Is A Surreal Exploration Of The Unknown
Games TM

In Other Waters Is A Surreal Exploration Of The Unknown

HANDS-ON WITH A MUST-PLAY INDEPENDENT TITLE

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 199
Games TM

Soon We Will All Bask In The Glow Of Ooblets

WE TAKE ANOTHER SPIN AROUND BADGETOWN TO SEE HOW DEVELOPMENT IS COMING ALONG

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 200
Papers, Please Meets Dystopian Britain In Not Tonight
Games TM

Papers, Please Meets Dystopian Britain In Not Tonight

BREXIT, PLEASE

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 200
Can Wargroove Surpass Its Biggest Inspiration?
Games TM

Can Wargroove Surpass Its Biggest Inspiration?

CHUCKLEFISH IS TAKING THE FIGHT STRAIGHT TO INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 200
Something To Remember - Forgotton Anne
Games TM

Something To Remember - Forgotton Anne

When it comes to detailing the virtues of games, the term ‘cinematic’ is bandied around so often that its significance is all but lost. However, there are few games as deserving of the accolade as Forgotton Anne.

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 200