Seven years, 62 patches, and 23 major content updates later, Fallout 76 is capping off its anniversary celebration with a massive drop. Next week, the map expands West into Burning Springs, bringing the legendary Ghoul—voiced by Walton Goggins himself—into Appalachia to kick off the new Bounty Hunting system.
Burning Springs and The Ghoul Arrive
If you've been following the roadmap, you know the expansion to the West has been highly anticipated. Burning Springs isn't just new real estate; it's the introduction of a proper Bounty Hunting System. This new loop allows players to track down targets across the wasteland, adding a structured layer to the endgame that goes beyond the usual daily challenges.
The highlight, however, is the narrative tie-in. Bethesda has brought in Walton Goggins to voice The Ghoul, bridging the gap between the live-action series and the game. He serves as the primary quest giver for this update, meaning players will get plenty of face time with the character while navigating the new hazards of Burning Springs.
How has Fallout 76 changed over 7 years?
Looking back at the launch in 2018 compared to today, the difference is night and day. The game launched without human NPCs, a decision that famously left the world feeling sterile. Since then, the Wastelanders update (2020) repopulated the world, Expeditions took us to The Pitt and Atlantic City (2022), and 2024 saw the map expand South into Skyline Valley.
2025 has been particularly dense for mechanics, introducing Ghoul transformation for players, fishing systems, and a much-needed overhaul to the C.A.M.P. Workshop UI. With 62 patches under their belt, the developers have effectively rebuilt the game's foundation.
A Labor of Love
With the 7th anniversary festivities wrapping up and the Burning Springs update launching in early December, Bethesda is asking the community to consider nominating Fallout 76 for the "Labor of Love" category in the Steam Awards. Given the sheer volume of post-launch support—transforming a critical flop into a thriving MMO—they make a compelling case.
The Burning Springs expansion drops in about a week. Prepare your loadouts and get ready to head West.