Fallout 76 had anything but a smooth start, but as time passes, Bethesda is continuously taking steps to try and make the game a better experience for its players. One way it’s doing this is by expanding the game with the upcoming release of the Wastelanders update.

Players still don’t know exactly when they’ll be able to get their hands on the full update, beyond a Q1 2020 release window, but a lucky group will be able to try it out early in an effort to squash bugs.

Bethesda has revealed that the Fallout 76 Wastelanders update will be available early for playtesting to a select group. Only a few hundred will be invited to join for the PC-only private test server group, and participants are expected to provide input and feedback to Bethesda on the bugs they encounter so that they can be tackled before the update releases to the masses. Players will also be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement in an effort to prevent leaks.

Players who want to take a shot at playing the Wastelanders update need only apply on the website. Bethesda is accepting applications between now and January 14th at 6 pm ET., and the private test server will launch on January 17th. Bethesda isn’t offering much insight into how players can get into the select group, except that it makes mention of inviting as many of its “most active and experienced community members” as possible. This likely means that players who have spent a considerable amount of time in the game will have a better shot at getting into the private testing group than those who haven’t played much.

This invitation comes following the delay of the Wastelanders update to 2020. While fans were initially disappointed at the delay, Bethesda has made it clear that it was only done in an effort to release the update with as much polish as possible. Considering the problems that plagued Fallout 76 early on, with Bethesda even announcing in advance that the game would contain bugs at launch, this is probably for the best for everyone.

The Wastelanders update promises to bring a lot of often-requested changes to the game. Players can expect to encounter Fallout 76’s first NPCs post-update, as well as new areas to tackle and new story quests to work through.

Source: Bethesda