Bethesda’s Fallout Shelter (Free) has had a odd lifecycle for a mobile game. It was revealed (then subsequently released) during a massive E3 press conference, and it really seemed like the game was positioned as one of those lightweight companion adver-game sort of things like the recently released Slashy Souls (Free)… Except Fallout Shelter was way more than that, and quickly topped the App Store charts. From the outside, it seems like the rampant success of the game took Bethesda by surprise, as typically speaking a free to play title like this is locked and loaded with endless content updates ready to be released to keep players engaged. In Fallout Shelter, you just sort of ran out of things to do.
That’s slowly been getting fixed through updates, but people who enjoy the spectator sport of watching the App Store will always be left wondering how much money and marketshare Bethesda left on the table by not having a live team for the game rocking and rolling at launch. This next update is what they’re calling the biggest update yet, and is packed with all sorts of additional stuff for players to do, straight from the horse’s mouth:
- Turn worthless junk into useful items! Introducing… crafting!
- New Rooms! Build the new Weapon and Armor crafting rooms and use them to create your own items in game!
- Lunchboxes now contain a bonus 5th card: Junk! Trust us – it’s more useful than it sounds. Lucky wasteland explorers may also find junk on their adventures.
- Take the Overseer role to the next level. Build the new Barbershop and customize the look of any Dweller.
- Keep up with the latest fashions! Find new Outfits and Weapons straight from Fallout 4 in lunchboxes, or craft them yourself!
- Because four-legged companions bring overwhelming happiness, we’ve added new Dogs and Cats, and are introducing… Parrots! Plus, new Pet bonuses!
- Time of day is now properly reflected. Because authentic Vault simulation is our #1 goal!
This new update should be available sometime this week, I’d put my bets on a Wednesday or Thursday release which will likely go hand in hand with some huge App Store feature for the update.
