Official support for mods in Fallout 4 finally arrived Tuesday, although it is currently in beta form. Bethesda Softworks released the Creation Kit modding tool for the apocalyptic role-playing game along with the ability to add mods in-game. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 can also look forward to the ability to add mods over the next couple of months.
Using and downloading mods is available as part of an open beta for Fallout 4 on the PC. Those interested in trying it will need to opt into the beta. This is done by going into the game properties from the Steam library and selecting “beta” from the drop-down menu on the “Betas” tab. The game will update and then appear in your Steam library with a “[Beta]” tag.
PlayStation 4 and Xbox One owners won’t have to wait long before they get their taste of modded Fallout 4 play. Bethesda Game Studios confirmed mod support will arrive on Microsoft’s console first in May followed by Sony’s console in June.
“We have a lot to do yet, but we hope it changes console gaming the way it has changed PC,” the studio explained.
Fallout 4 players can visit the Mods menu in-game to browse and search for mods, choose favorites, post feedback, and install them from within the game. This is essentially the same experience from the Bethesda website but with the added convenience of not having to exit the game to download and install the mod.
The Bethesda website was also updated with a new mod section for Fallout 4 that features a growing list of mods. It is divided up between most popular, latest, highest rated, and most favorited mods. A filter is also available along with the ability to search mods or view the mods that you have downloaded. Mods can be favorited or downloaded directly from the website.
Those interested in downloading the Creation Kit to start making their own Fallout 4 mods can do so from the game’s launcher. A free download link is available there to get you started. You’ll also want to visit the Creation Kit Wiki to expand your knowledge and learn everything from how to create new items in the game to creating their own scripts for player conversations.
“Mods and the players who create them have always been an important part of our games, going all the way back to Morrowind and The Elder Scrolls Construction Set. We believe that our games become something much more special, when we put the power of creation in your hands. New quests, environments, characters, dialogue, outfits, weapons and more – with Mods, the possibilities of what you can do are endless. You are creating new experiences that enhance and take our games into amazing and surprising new directions.
“For Fallout 4, our goal was to make Mods easier and more accessible than ever before – for both the creators and the players. By building an all-new system with Bethesda.net we’ve made a huge leap forward in achieving that.”
How mods will be chosen as being available for PS4 and Xbox One consoles is still an open question. Bethesda will presumably curate user-created additions to the game to ensure they don’t overtly impact performance. This likely cuts out mods that replace existing textures with high-resolution ones as well as extensive conversions. Details will likely be shared prior to the Xbox One receiving the update that adds mod support.
[Image via Bethesda Softworks]