Bethesda is offering a limited-time opportunity for console players to jump into Fallout 76 at no cost. The online role-playing game is currently free to download and play on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S through December 23. The promotion applies only to console platforms. The free offer is not available on PC.
The free access period allows players to experience the full version of Fallout 76, including all previously released updates and ongoing live service content. Any progress made during the trial carries over if players decide to purchase the game once the promotion ends. Since its original launch in 2018, Fallout 76 has undergone extensive updates, adding new questlines, quality of life improvements, and seasonal events that have steadily expanded the game’s scope and overall player engagement.
Alongside the free game trial, Bethesda is also offering a limited preview of its paid subscription service, Fallout 1st. The Fallout 1st Limited Preview Trial is available through December 23 and can be claimed directly from the in-game Atomic Shop. This trial gives players temporary access to several premium features typically reserved for subscribers.
During the preview period, players receive a 10 percent boost to S.C.O.R.E., which accelerates seasonal progression. The trial also unlocks the Survival Tent, a deployable fast travel point that includes basic crafting and storage options. Additional perks include access to the Scrapbox, which provides unlimited storage for crafting materials, and the Aid Box, designed to store healing items separately from standard inventory space. These features are often cited by players as some of the most practical benefits of the Fallout 1st membership, particularly for resource management during longer play sessions.
Once the trial ends on December 23, access to these perks will be removed unless players choose to subscribe. Fallout 1st is normally priced at approximately $13 per month or $100 per year, with pricing consistent across supported console platforms.
The timing of the free trials is strategic. Bethesda’s promotion coincides with the return of the Fallout television series on Prime Video, which premiered its second season on December 16. The show’s success has brought renewed attention to the franchise, and the free play event offers newcomers an accessible way to explore the game universe while interest is high.
For console players who have been curious about Fallout 76, the limited-time promotion is a low-risk way to jump in. Returning fans also have a chance to revisit Appalachia before both offers expire. The event encourages engagement with the franchise’s larger multimedia expansion and gives players time to decide whether a long-term commitment to the game makes sense.
0 Comments