Yes, you heard right. The single-player CRPG Fallout series is not only getting a multiplayer-esque prequel called Fallout 76 that’s coming out in the next two weeks but is also getting microtransactions. Players will have the benefit of paying real money to buy the game’s in-game currency called Atoms -not yet anyway if we’re talking about the beta.

But will this give players an advantage? Not quite, said Bethesda’s Pete Hines. He told GameSpot that players can spend money “on whatever the hell it is because they don’t have enough Atoms.” He assured that it will not be a “I’m now better playing against other players because I spent money” situation.

“It’s not pay-to-win. And it’s not loot crates.”

Atom Bomb Baby

Since Atoms can be bought now, fans and players are probably wondering how much they are in real money. Some leaks and listings have surfaced:

• GameStop’s Ireland website is listing €5/US$5 for 500 Atoms and €40 for 5,000 Atoms.
• What can you get with the Atoms? Based on the top and bottom screencap, it all points towards cosmetics. You can buy new emotes to communicate with players, special frames for photo mode, and visual flourishes for your custom characters in the Atomic Shop.

• The most expensive item is a Nuka Cola Stash for 700 Atoms. It’s just a skin for your already-existing stash box that’s used to house your extra items and crafting materials.
• Like F2P games, you can earn these Atoms by completing in-game activities; these include crafting a gun for the first time or discovering certain locations and spots.

On a related note, Bethesda said that all of Fallout 76’s updates will be free. Much like the Overwatch model, Fallout 76 will rely on Atom purchases as its lifeblood to keep the game afloat post-launch.

Just like in most MMOs and F2P games, you can choose to stand out by either grinding for Atoms or just flat-out pay money for it. Guess all that data from Fallout Shelter means Bethesda is trying out this safe method of getting customers to pay more than the US$60 retail fee for the game.

We’ll find out on 14th November and in a few months if it’s worth all of the hassle.