Bethesda Game Studios has announced impending updates for both Fallout 4 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, prompting players, particularly those with heavily modded games, to take precautionary measures. The studio advised players to log into their game saves or manually save their load orders to facilitate re-downloading their Creations list once the updates are live. The Fallout 4 patch is scheduled for release on August 18 and will concentrate on "general Creations improvements." An update for Skyrim is also planned, though specific details and a release window have not yet been provided.
This announcement has drawn attention from the modding community, given the potential for game updates to disrupt existing mod setups. Past updates, such as Fallout 4's next-gen update, have caused significant issues for mod compatibility, especially with the release of major mods like Fallout: London. While the nature of these upcoming patches suggests they may be smaller in scope, mods that depend on script extenders, such as those adding new animations or interface overhauls like SkyUI, are likely to require adjustments. Script extenders themselves typically receive prompt updates following new game versions, which should mitigate extended downtime for most users. However, mods that have been abandoned by their creators may not be updated, potentially rendering them unusable.
For players wishing to avoid potential conflicts, instructions for disabling automatic game updates are readily available. Many guides exist specifically for Fallout 4, including those found on Nexus Mods. Some players may choose to wait a few days after an update is released before re-engaging with the game to allow modders time to release necessary compatibility patches.