Skyrim modding

Last updated

Skyrimmodding refers to the community-made modifications for the 2011 fantasy role-playing video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim . One of the most modded video games of all time, it has nearly 70,000 mod submissions on Nexus Mods and 28,000 in the Steam Workshop. Many of these mods were created for utility reasons, patching numerous bugs left in the game by Bethesda Softworks, while also improving the game's usability and character movement. [1] Other mods add new quests and characters, or update the game's graphics and animations. [2] As the vanilla game has a reputation for outdated mechanics, it is common for players to mod Skyrim even prior to their first playthrough. [3]

Contents

Traditionally, Skyrim mods have been largely free to download. Valve Corporation walked back its attempts to add paid mods to Skyrim, following backlash from fans. [4] These mods made their way to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 with the release of Skyrim Special Edition . [5] Fans were also able to create an unofficial modding scene for the Nintendo Switch. [6]

Some of the most basic and commonly used mods are the Unofficial Skyrim Patches, which simply address "a huge amount of bugs the official patches don't". One exists for both the main game and the official High Resolution textures patch. SkyUI, which completely redesigns the game's menu screen to make it easier to use, as well as providing menu systems for other mods, is also a popular and highly recommended mod. [1] Other "essential" mods include A Quality World Map, which makes the game's map screen higher-resolution or enables replacement with a paper map, and Realistic Humanoid Movement Speed, which adjusts the player's movement speed to make walking faster and running slower. [1]

Multiple mods were introduced to address the game's Paarthurnax quest, in which the Dragonborn is forced to kill allied NPC dragon Paarthurnax by Delphine, Grandmaster of the Blades, causing controversy over the lack of a choice to spare him despite his prominent role in aiding the Dragonborn. The Paarthurnax Dilemma added the option to force Delphine to stand down, while the later Paarthurnax – Quest Expansion used existing lines to expand the quest and make it sensible from both the Blades' and Paarthurnax's point of view, as well as add the option to spare the dragon. [7] [8]

Many Skyrim mods add new content to the game. The Falskaar mod contains a DLC-length adventure with 26 new quests in a new continent, and was created as a job application; its creator was later hired by Bungie. [9] [10] The Beyond Skyrim: Bruma mod, released in July 2017, adds the county of Bruma from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and several new quests to the game. [11]

Skyrim is noted to have an active adult modding scene centered around the website LoversLab, a 1.5 million member "massive sex mod community". Its owner, Ashal, created a mod template for the game known as SexLab that enabled the creation of adult-themed mods by providing a "foundation of thousands of animations and basic game functions". [2] While largely within the bounds of typical erotica, the mods also include numerous kinks, such as BDSM, with some containing a meaningful story. Many of these modders remain anonymous, as "expressing sexuality in public or in the media beyond holding hands and kisses" remains largely taboo. The site's loose policies also allow controversial and disturbing content, although mods containing pedophilia are strictly banned. [2]

Total conversions

Several projects have sought to construct new games using Skyrim as a base. Enderal , a sequel to the Oblivion mod Nehrim: At Fate's Edge was an early example of this. It contains a darker story than Skyrim, and was positively received by fans. [12] The Forgotten City is a narrative focused adventure which originated as a mod in 2015, before being remade as a standalone title and changed to an Ancient Roman aesthetic. The final version of the game uses the Unreal Engine and was released for PC and Nintendo Switch in 2021. [13]

Creations

In 2017, Bethesda announced the Creation Club, a storefront for Fallout 4 and Skyrim in which players paid for new content, some of which was created by fans who were compensated by Bethesda for their work. This was compared by some critics to "paid mods", although Bethesda did not characterize them as such to avoid backlash. [14] Skyrim Anniversary Edition was released in November 2021, containing all 48 previously released Creation Club items as well as 26 new Creation Club items. [15]

In December 2023, Bethesda replaced Creation Club with Creations, which added new paid and free mods. [16] [17]

Controversy

In 2015, Valve Corporation announced a paid mods feature for Steam, with particular emphasis being placed on Skyrim mods. This led to a "huge backlash", as well as a petition that gained more than 130,000 signatures. Parodic Skyrim mods were even created to protest the decision, such as "'Beth the Beggar,' a character that will sit around your game and ask for money 'for no reason'". A week later, Valve reversed the decision, stating that "stepping into an established, years old modding community in Skyrim was probably not the right place to start iterating". [18]

Another controversy involving Skyrim mods occurred in 2021, in which Nexus Mods stated that they would no longer allow older mods to be removed from their website, following a 30-day grace period, in order to prevent problems with the Collections feature, which allows for batch downloading of mods. This caused a backlash due to modders losing control of their work, which led to many of them leaving Nexus Mods for other sites prior to the grace period ending. [19] Arthmoor, one of the game's most popular modders, and the creator of Live another Life, Open Cities Skyrim, and The Paarthurnax Dilemma, moved to the site AFK Mods instead, arguing that a modder had a legal right to delete their content. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Case modding</span> Modifications to a computer to add or remove extra hardware

Case modification, commonly referred to as case modding, is the modification of a computer case or a video game console chassis. Modifying a computer case in any non-standard way is considered a case mod. Modding is done, particularly by hardware enthusiasts, to show off a computer's apparent power by showing off the internal hardware, and also to make it look aesthetically pleasing to the owner.

Video game modding is the process of alteration by players or fans of one or more aspects of a video game, such as how it looks or behaves, and is a sub-discipline of general modding. Mods may range from small changes and tweaks to complete overhauls, and can extend the replay value and interest of the game.

bit-tech is an online magazine for computer hardware enthusiasts, gamers and case modders, based in the UK. It was founded in 2000, became a fully professional online publication in 2005, and announced its acquisition by Dennis Publishing in October 2008. Dennis Publishing then partnered the site with existing monthly publication Custom PC magazine, making Bit-Tech the online version of the magazine. At this point the two editorial teams were totally integrated. However, due to a restructure in January 2012 the website and magazine had separate editors again, although several of the writers still contributed material to both publications. It is owned by The Media Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mod DB</span> Video game modding website

Mod DB is a website that focuses on general video game modding. It was founded in 2002 by Scott "INtense!" Reismanis. As of September 2015, the Mod DB site has received over 604 million views, has more than 12,500 modifications registered, and has hosted more than 108 million downloads. A spin-off website, Indie DB, was launched in 2010 and focuses on indie games and news.

An unofficial patch, sometimes alternatively called community patch, is a patch for a piece of software, created by a third party such as a user community without the involvement of the original developer. Similar to an ordinary patch, it alleviates bugs or shortcomings. Unofficial patches do not usually change the intended usage of the software, in contrast to other third-party software adaptions such as mods or cracks.

<i>The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim</i> 2011 video game

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a 2011 action role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the fifth main installment in The Elder Scrolls series, following The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006), and was released worldwide for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 on November 11, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creation Engine</span> Video game engine

Creation Engine is a 3D video game engine created by Bethesda Game Studios based on the Gamebryo engine. The Creation Engine has been used to create role-playing video games such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76. A new iteration of the engine, Creation Engine 2, was used to create Starfield. The Creation Engine has been tailor-made for large-scale open-world RPGs.

<i>Nehrim: At Fates Edge</i> 2010 video game

Nehrim: At Fate's Edge is a total conversion mod of Bethesda Softworks' The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion developed by the German team SureAI over the span of four years. It was released in German on June 9, 2010, and subsequently in English on September 11, 2010. A sequel, Enderal, was released in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nexus Mods</span> Website for sharing computer game modifications

Nexus Mods is a website that hosts computer game mods and other user-created content related to video game modding. It is one of the largest gaming mod sites on the web, with 30 million registered members and 3146 supported games as of October 2024, with a single forum and a wiki for site- and mod-related topics.

<i>Fallout 4</i> 2015 video game

Fallout 4 is a 2015 action role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the fourth main game in the Fallout series and was released worldwide on November 10, 2015, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. The game is set within an open world post-apocalyptic environment that encompasses the city of Boston and the surrounding Massachusetts region known as "The Commonwealth".

<i>Grand Theft Auto</i> modding Modification in the video game series

User modification, or modding, of video games in the open world sandbox Grand Theft Auto series is a popular trend in the PC gaming community. These unofficial modifications are made by altering gameplay logic and asset files within a user's game installation, and can change the player's experience to varying degrees. Frequently created by anonymous modders, modifications are presented in the form of downloadable files or archives. Third-party software has been indispensable for building Grand Theft Auto mods, due to the lack of official editing tools from the developer, Rockstar Games. Mods for Grand Theft Auto are generally developed for use on the PC versions of the games, since the platform does not prevent modifications to installed software; however, similar content for console and mobile phone versions does exist to an extent.

Long War is a fan-made partial conversion mod for the turn-based tactics video game XCOM: Enemy Unknown and its expansion, XCOM: Enemy Within. It was first released in early 2013, and it exited beta at the end of 2015. Almost every aspect of the original game is altered, creating a longer, more complex campaign that presents players with more strategic choices and customization options. Long War adds a significant number of new soldier classes, abilities, weapons, armors, and usable items, and also introduces new features, including soldier fatigue and improvements to alien units over the course of the game.

A Minecraft mod is a mod that changes aspects of the sandbox game Minecraft. Minecraft mods can add additional content to the game, make tweaks to specific features, and optimize performance. Thousands of mods for the game have been created, with some mods even generating an income for their authors. While Mojang Studios does not provide an API for modding, community tools exist to help developers create and distribute mods. The popularity of Minecraft mods has been credited for helping Minecraft become one of the best-selling video games of all time.

The Elder Scrolls Renewal Project (TESRenewal) is a fan volunteer effort to recreate and remaster the video games in The Elder Scrolls series. The team is best known for its Skywind project, which seeks to recreate the 2002 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind on the 2016 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Special Edition game engine, known as the Creation Engine.

<i>Enderal</i> 2016 video game

Enderal: The Shards of Order is a total conversion mod of Bethesda Softworks' The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim developed by SureAI as a sequel to Nehrim: At Fate's Edge. It was released in July 2016, initially in German only. An English version was released August 16, 2016. An expansion, Forgotten Stories, was released on February 14, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creation Club</span> Video game micropayment system

Creations is a system of microtransactions designed by Bethesda Game Studios for its games Fallout 4, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Special Edition and Starfield . The system was launched for Fallout 4 on August 29, 2017.

Playbour is a hybrid form of play and labour, specifically in the digital games industry.

<i>The Forgotten City</i> 2021 video game

The Forgotten City is a mystery adventure role-playing game developed by Australian developer Modern Storyteller and published by Dear Villagers with additional support from Film Victoria. It is a full video game adaptation of the critically-acclaimed Skyrim mod of the same name. Initially released in 2015 as a mod, the full game was released in July 2021 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A cloud-based version launched in September 2021 for the Nintendo Switch, with another being released in July 2022 for Google Stadia.

Skyblivion is an upcoming open world action role-playing video game. It is a fan remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) developed in Bethesda Game Studios' Creation Engine as a total conversion mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011). It is scheduled to be released in 2025.

<i>Tamriel Rebuilt</i> Fan-led video game modification

Tamriel Rebuilt is a third-party modification for the Bethesda Softworks 2002 role-playing video game The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Founded in 2001, the Tamriel Rebuilt project is a long-term, collaborative effort by volunteer modders to expand the content of Morrowind to include wider settings consistent with the setting of the Elder Scrolls' universe of Tamriel. Since foundation, the project has published eight releases for Morrowind, described as 'expansions', that allow the player to travel to and explore the mainland of the province of Morrowind, featuring new factions and quests. In 2006, Tamriel Rebuilt briefly launched a secondary project to recreate the province of Hammerfell in the succeeding Elder Scrolls game, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, although the project was cancelled in 2009. Publications have praised Tamriel Rebuilt for the scope and detail of the project, the faithfulness of its additions to the source material of the original game, and noted their content has since eclipsed the size and features of the original game. The current release, Andaram, was published on 31 October 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Livingston, Christopher; Hatfield, Tom; Papiz, Diana; Macgregor, Jody (August 12, 2019). "The best Skyrim mods". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on December 12, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 Messner, Steven (May 8, 2017). "Inside the Skyrim sex modding community where almost no taboo is off limits". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  3. ↑ Franey, Joel (May 6, 2020). "Why Does Skyrim Feel So Strangely Old These Days?". USgamer. Archived from the original on November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  4. ↑ Campbell, Colin (April 27, 2015). "Facing extreme abuse, Skyrim modders defend paid work". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  5. ↑ USgamer Team (July 25, 2017). "The Best Skyrim Mods". USgamer . Archived from the original on September 8, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  6. ↑ Wales, Matt (October 8, 2018). "Skyrim fans have started a Switch modding scene to do what Bethesda won't". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  7. ↑ Livingston, Christopher; Macgregor, Jody; Papiz, Diana; Morton, Lauren (August 17, 2022). "The best Skyrim mods". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on December 12, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  8. ↑ Talbot, Carrie (October 18, 2021). "This Skyrim mod is a fully voiced, expanded overhaul of the famous Paarthurnax quest". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  9. ↑ Tach, Dave (July 17, 2013). "19-year-old creates Skyrim mod as a job application". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  10. ↑ Campbell, Colin (November 26, 2013). "Skyrim modder lands dream job ... on Destiny". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Skyrim mod lets you cross the border, explore Oblivion's Bruma". VG247. July 1, 2017. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  12. ↑ Delahunty-Light, Zoe (February 22, 2019). ""A better Skyrim than Skyrim. For free": Steam reviews are going nuts over this free mod for Skyrim that turns it into a completely new open world RPG". gamesradar. Archived from the original on December 29, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  13. ↑ "How a team of three created a narrative masterpiece in "The Forgotten City"". Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  14. ↑ Avard, Alex (June 12, 2017). "What is Creation Club? Bethesda's new scheme is a store for premium mods (in all but name)". gamesradar. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  15. ↑ Morton, Lauren (November 11, 2021). "So what is Skyrim Anniversary Edition and what's actually in it?". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  16. ↑ Carpenter, Nicole (December 7, 2023). "New Skyrim mod feature pulling the mod community apart". Polygon. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  17. ↑ Smith, Graham (December 5, 2023). "Skyrim's latest update brings back paid mods with an easier way for creators to sell their work". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  18. ↑ Moore, Bo (April 27, 2015). "Valve Nixes Paid Skyrim Mods After Huge Backlash". Wired. ISSN   1059-1028. Archived from the original on April 28, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  19. ↑ Good, Owen S. (July 6, 2021). "Nexus Mods shoots for easier mod-making, but creators push back". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  20. ↑ Macgregor, Jody (August 6, 2021). "One of Skyrim's most popular modders is pulling his work from Nexus Mods". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2021.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.