Bethesda Developers Confirm Real People Will Replace NPCs in 'Fallout 76'

Bethesda Softworks revealed more gameplay details after unveiling “Fallout 76” earlier this week at Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2018. Developers confirmed on Tuesday that non-playable characters (NPCs) have been replaced by real people on “Fallout 76.”

“Fallout 76” will feature big changes from previously released “Fallout” games. But Bethesda promised that players will have the same experience playing the upcoming title despite the new gameplay mechanics.

In an interview with IGN, Bethesda game director Todd Howard said, “[Fallout 76] plays like you would expect from us. … But then the main difference, obviously, is the other characters, they aren’t NPCs — they’re real people.”

Howard further explained that while players can still perform similar tasks to level up their characters, replacing NPCs with real people will change the way players communicate with other characters.

Fans who watched Bethesda discuss these changes raised some concerns on how players will react to having real people all over the Wasteland. For example, there were comments that players are more likely to just go for the kill even when the other real person character is simply wanting to sell ammo. And Bethesda realized that as well.

“We don't want it to be griefy, but we want to have some drama there,” Howard said in a separate interview with Geoff Keighley (via PC Gamer).

Bethesda is yet to finalize how it will handle different responses from players with a Wasteland filled with real people. In both interviews, Howard revealed that they will give players an option to get on a PvP fight or not. And either choosing to shoot at each other or skipping the combat challenge will have rewards.

"There is a way that you can decide to do PvP, and we're currently balancing the incentives for someone who wants to be very aggressive to people, and those who want to ignore it. That really comes down to the end-game incentives, and also the social incentives,” Howard said.

Meanwhile, it is important to note that other familiar NPCs such as robots and monsters in Wasteland will still exist. For example, “Fallout 76” will feature Mothman, which has been a part of the West Virginia tales for many years.

Robots are seen in the demo trailers sweeping floors and, as Howard confirmed, they will have other roles such as delivering quest messages to players.