The Everlasting Flame of Modding: Keeping Fallout 4 Alive
No matter how much you love a game, there always comes a point at which you feel like you’ve done and seen pretty much everything it has to offer. It can take hundreds of hours to get there and usually all that’s required to reinvigorate your desire to keep plugging away is a bit of time apart, usually followed by an emotional reunion that sees you remember exactly why you fell in love in the first place.
But what happens when you’ve exhausted all the content a game has to offer? Does the creative well start to run dry? When it comes to Bethesda RPGs like Fallout 4, which celebrated its eighth anniversary of release on November 10, it might seem like the end is near. However, the game’s modding community is proving that there are still boundaries to push and new adventures to embark on.
Pushing Boundaries and Building Nations
According to modder Thomas Mitchell, aka Otellino, the creator of the massive Enclave-themed quest mod ‘America Rising 2 – Legacy of the Enclave,’ the Fallout 4 modding scene is still firing on all cylinders. Mitchell explains, “There are always boundaries you can push. Look at what Sim Settlements 2 has achieved, which is mind-boggling – having you essentially build a full-on nation with a huge story on top of that.”
But that’s not all. Mitchell continues, “There are also all these big conversion projects in the works – Fallout London, which I believe is close to release, looks incredible and is essentially its own Fallout game. You’ve also got Fallout Miami and we can’t forget about the remakes either – Fallout 4 New Vegas and Fallout Capital Wasteland, all of which have found ways to push past the four dialogue option limit Fallout 4 has, as well as re-introduce skills and perks.”
It’s clear that the modding community is determined to breathe new life into Fallout 4, going beyond the game’s original limitations and introducing fresh experiences for players.
A Journey into Modding
Much like the players they cater to, modders have their own stories and journeys. Mitchell got his start modding Bethesda RPGs during his school days, starting with Oblivion. He recalls, “At the time it was essentially the only game I was playing! I didn’t know it had any sort of modding scene until a friend of mine came home after school one day and excitedly told me that he figured out how to make character presets.”
From there, Mitchell was hooked. He would come home from school every day and experiment with the Construction Set, making all sorts of creations. “I’d make nonsense in the Construction Set, including a fairly terrible castle that is still on Nexus Mods – albeit hidden!”
Tools of the Trade
The modding landscape has changed significantly since Mitchell’s early days. He remembers the introduction of Mod Managers and the ongoing debate of loose files versus archives. But now, using Mod Managers is almost mandatory, and there are countless community tools available to enhance the modding experience.
Mitchell explains, “The official tools don’t really change – but the number of community tools available grows exponentially. There are the stalwarts like xEdit and Nifskope, but we also have amazing newer community tools like Voice File Reference 2, Yakitori Audio Converter, and Cathedral Asset Optimizer. These tools speed up the modding process and allow us to do amazing things.”
A Bright Future for Fallout 4 Modding
With a strong community spirit and talented individuals constantly pushing the boundaries, Mitchell believes that the innovation in Fallout 4’s modding scene will only continue to grow. He eagerly anticipates diving into the world of Starfield modding once the official tools are released in 2024, promising more incredible creations and adventures for players.
So, while we wait for news on The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5, it’s comforting to know that there will be plenty of mods to keep our adventures in Bethesda’s existing titles fresh and exciting.
Remember, just like in gaming, the modding community is always ready to face new challenges and breathe fresh life into beloved games. So, grab your controller, load up your favorite mods, and embark on a new adventure!