Fallout 76 has improved a lot since its early days, and one of the most exciting updates to hit the multiplayer spin-off is the upcoming Raven Rock expansion. Bethesda announced the Fallout 76 expansion earlier this year, confirming a summer 2027 release window. The official release date might still be under wraps at the moment, but Raven Rock is expected to be one of the most significant updates to ever come to Fallout 76, because it connects directly to a mainline game in the franchise.
Raven Rock goes hand-in-hand with Fallout 3. There have been moments over the years when Fallout 76 has connected itself to the larger franchise. The Burning Springs update expanded the game’s map into Ohio and introduced The Ghoul from the Fallout TV show as an NPC that offers bounties for players. Raven Rock is a different beast altogether, though, and the most intriguing thing of all is that the expansion feels like it’s setting up the Fallout 3 remaster release date.
Fallout 76’s Raven Rock Feels Like an Obvious Teaser to Get Players Ready for Fallout 3 Remastered
There still isn’t much known about the Fallout 76 Raven Rock expansion. The core detail that has been revealed so far is that Raven Rock is officially a Fallout 3 prequel. Because of its prequel status, Raven Rock has quickly become a Fallout release that I’m deeply interested in learning more about in the coming months. Fallout 3 is clearly an important title for Bethesda, since it’s the very first game in the franchise that the developer made, but it also boasts one of the best wastelands that the franchise has ever featured.
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Every fan is going to have a different answer when asked what the best Fallout wasteland is, but Fallout 3‘s Capital Wasteland remains an unforgettable shake-up for the series. The post-apocalyptic version of Washington D.C. feels like a true nightmare, and the vibe is vastly different from the first two games’ California setting. From the Ghoul-infested metro tunnels to the above-ground rubble, the Capital Wasteland has a uniquely haunting energy that the franchise hasn’t really revisited since. A remaster is a bit risky, since it could mess with the original game’s visual identity, but it’s also just as exciting.
We’re already planning something special for Fallout’s 30th anniversary in 2027, when Fallout Day will be celebrated live in Washington, D.C.
Fallout 3 Remastered’s Perfect Release Date Seems Obvious
- The Fallout franchise turns 30 next year.
- The official anniversary date is October 10.
- Fallout Day takes place on October 23.
- Bethesda has already teased a big celebration for the milestone.
Before I get ahead of myself, I need to make it clear that even though this feels like an ideal release window, nothing is certain. Bethesda could let the date pass without any Fallout 3 remaster launch because it’s almost too obvious. However, Bethesda’s past comments have me thinking that the 30th anniversary is the most likely release window.
The above quote comes from an official Bethesda community note back in July of this year. With the deliberate mention of Washington D.C. as the official celebration spot for next year’s Fallout Day, it definitely looks like Bethesda has something up its sleeve with the Fallout 3 remaster. There are several new Fallout games in the works at the moment, and dropping the Fallout 3 remaster during such an important milestone is the perfect way to get the ball rolling on a series of upcoming releases.
Fallout 76’s Big 2027 Update Will Set the Tone for the Franchise’s Upcoming Era
With the Fallout Day celebration taking place in Washington D.C., the Raven Rock expansion is almost definitely an appetizer for something much bigger. Bethesda wouldn’t put so much emphasis on the location for no good reason. Summer 2027 gives Raven Rock plenty of time to enjoy the spotlight, and then October can bring forth the main course. Bethesda has been incredibly quiet over the years when it comes to the Fallout franchise’s plans and progress. Fallout 76 has been carrying the series forward for eight years now, and it’s time for something fresh to come to fruition.
Of course, it’s always possible that my intuition ends up being wrong. Even if the Fallout 3 remaster doesn’t come out in October 2027, though, Bethesda still clearly has something big on the way to mark the occasion. I’m also eager to find out if Bethesda keeps 2027’s focus on Fallout 3 or if the New Vegas remaster also gets thrown into the mix. Releasing both remasters as a bundle is definitely a possibility, but with Fallout 76 getting Raven Rock, I’m now more inclined to believe that Fallout 3 will take over the 2027 spotlight while New Vegas gets to take the stage in 2028. All fans can do right now is sit and play the waiting game, but next year could kickstart an exciting new chapter for Fallout.
- Released
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November 14, 2018
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
