Bethesda has released "The Slasher" update for Fallout 76, a Halloween-themed expansion that introduces a serial killer storyline to the online RPG. The update represents a significant evolution for the game, which has substantially transformed since its troubled 2018 launch, introducing a darker horror tone through its narrative about brutal murders stalking players across Appalachia.

The storyline centres on the Pint-Sized Slasher, an infamous pre-war serial killer whose crimes either represent a genuine return or the work of devoted copycats. Players investigate through weekly broadcasts on the in-game Breaking News station, completing activities such as clearing Infestations filled with cultists, undertaking new Daily Ops challenges, and digging through graves for clues. The update accompanies Season 26, "Beware the Blood Moon," which introduces horror-themed rewards including the Creepy Cultist Well and Blood Moon Power Armor Paint, and the update is available across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC platforms.