Fallout 4 survival mode update makes it both easier and harder

The hardest Fallout 4 mode continues its quest to mash your face into the dirt.

Fallout 4 players on PC are currently masochistically enjoying a beta build including the new survival mode, which ramps the difficulty up considerably and adds several new constraints and mechanics.

We don't have an ETA on full PC and console launch, and that's because this is a true beta: Bethesda is testing and tweaking the mode ahead of its general release. As evidence, check out the latest beta update, which makes the following additions and balance changes:

Fallout 4 1.5.146 Survival Steam Beta Update

• New Survival Features
  • Thirst, hunger, sleep and disease icons will change color based on status
• Survival Fixes
  • Less food and drink are required to maintain proper sustenance
  • Carry capacity lowered
  • Sleep cycle has been lowered from 24 hours to 14 hour days
  • Reduced chances to getting a disease
  • Fusion cores weigh more
  • Nuka Cola Quantums no longer cancel out caffeine effect from Nuka Cola and Nuka Cola Cherry
  • Fixed occasional issue with becoming parched or peckish when thirst or hunger are actually satisfied
  • Fixed issue where Adrenaline effect would incorrectly persist after changing difficulty level
  • When companion is down, a quest target will appear on them

So one the one hand: less chance to starve to death or catch a disease. On the other: you can't carry as much. Dang