The next Fallout 4 patch improves settlements

UPDATE 01/03/2015 1am: Fallout 4's 1.4 update is now out of beta on Steam, though there's not telling when it's heading to consoles.

ORIGINAL STORY 23/02/2015: Fallout 4 1.4 update is now in beta on Steam, and due out proper on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One soon, Bethesda has said.

The patch paves the way for the add-on content announced last week, but now adds new features that improve the post-apocalyptic open-world role-playing game's settlements systems.

Chiefly, new art customisation has been added to the Workshop. These include:

• Super Mutant clutter including meat totems, meat bags and meat cart
• Raider clutter including raider poles, cages and tents
• Abstract and portrait paintings
• Variety of new signs
• More metal and wood doors variants

Meanwhile, the patch adds a number of performance improvements and fixes (but, alas, nothing there for my Fallout 4 game-breaking problem).

Players have picked out the following:

• Settlements under attack will now display an updated message with the results of the attack if player does not respond

The hope here is your settlements will now do a better job of defending themselves, particularly if you've kitted them out with all manner of turrets and minigun-toting settlers.

Here's the list of fixes:

• General stability and performance improvements
• During "Getting a Clue" quest, Kellogg's desk will remain a working container
• During "Rocket's Red Glare", resolved issue where companions could not be dismissed after completing the quest
• Fixed an issue with "Kremvh's Tooth" quest item not spawning properly
• Settlements under attack will now display an updated message with the results of the attack if player does not respond
• Fixed an issue with screen effects not clearing away properly after using a scope
• Fixed an issue with trying to sprint while in third person with a minigun equipped
• Rank 4 of Demolition Expert perk now properly increases the area effect of explosives
• The Scrounger perk now includes additional common ammo types
• Fixed an issue where Calvin Whitaker would disappear in Vault 81
• Fixed an issue where Ninja and Sandman perks combined would apply the incorrect damage bonus
• Fixed an issue where Rank 3 of Grim Reaper's Sprint did not fill critical meter properly
• Fixed an issue with key cards not spawning correctly in Vault 75
• Fixed an issue where enemies would stop spawning during "Airship Down"
• Being in first person while wearing power armor and quickly switching weapons will no longer cause the Pip-Boy to be stuck
• Fixed an issue with the autosave counter getting incorrectly reset
• Fixed issue that would cause the Pip-Boy menu to turn invisible while swimming
• Fixed an issue where scrapping larger quantities of a single item would inadvertently scrap a legendary item
• Fixed issue where exiting workbenches would cause third person to stop working properly
• The Scribe can now be assigned consecutive settlements properly
• Fixed issue with duplicating scraps shipments
• Fixed issue with vendors not properly exchanging caps after several consecutive transactions in a row
• Fixed issue with the quicksave and autosave message persisting through loading screens
• Fixed an issue where updating to the latest patch would cause Options settings to reset back to default (Xbox One)
• Fixed an issue with loading save with a placed object in water, not properly floating

Last week Bethesda announced Fallout 4's first wave of downloadable add-ons. The first DLC, Automatron, is due out in March.