Ohhh, dis gon' be good.
<color=teal>LET'S MOD SKYRIM
So, if you're a PC gamer, you might not have dipped your toes in the modding community at large. Or maybe you're a console gamer who's been curious about what these "modding" shenanigans are all about. Or maybe you've done some modding, but don't know what to try in your game of Skyrim.
Well, this thread is just for you!
<spoiler=How this works>HOW THIS WORKS
I have developed seven different profiles for seven different situations that may arise in a game of Skyrim. Each "round" has each character recorded in a one-or-two minute video of them doing their thing. It's exactly the same every round... except each round has a different set of mods installed into it.
So, what investment do you have? Simple: You pick the mods. Every round will have as many user-selected mods added to it as I deem reasonable. Depending on the mods, it could be two, or it could be twenty.
I will upload a new round once every three to five days, school permitting (I may manage two or even three updates on particularly uninteresting weekends).
The goal is simple: Mod my fresh copy of Skyrim as much as possible before it breaks.
While I will install and play with mods from around the internet, I would MUCH prefer if you would select mods from Skyrim Nexus. I'm not a fan of Steam Workshop for Skyrim, and will use it as a last resort. Likewise, manual installations from non-Nexus sites are doable, but they make me a bit sad.
Note that a heavy mix of Nexus, Workshop and manual installations greatly increases the chances of the game getting borked.
Also note that I've only got the base game, so DLC-reliant mods aren't going to work.
<spoiler=Rules>RULES
1. NO ADULT-TAGGED MODS.
"But lacktheknaaaaaack!"
Nope, sorry. No can do. This means ANY mod labeled "adult" on the Nexus. No killable children, no ultra-realistic gore mods, no sex mods, no nude mods. None of it. The only exception I'll make is an adult-tagged body-replacement mod if and only if it has an underwear-only version. I'm not the only one that uses this computer.
1-1 THIS GOES DOUBLY FOR THAT CURSED BENDY-DONG MOD.
I don't care how hilarious the Reddit thread was. I've had an alarming amount of people tell me I should install it, but I'm not going to. So there.
2. No Overhauls/Custom Races/Megaquests
Due to how I've structured this, showing off custom races, long quests and overhauls is simply too arduous and difficult to bother with, plus overhauls would change the dynamics of each clip enormously without actually explaining why. The only exceptions I'll make to this rule is if a custom race is fully integrated into the game so that I can easily find one and gawp at it (most races are not).
3. Gimmicks will last for one round only.
Yes, turning the dragons into Fluttershy is hilarious, even more hilarious than turning all the mudcrabs into Zoidberg, but that would get REALLY irritating ten rounds later. Thus, while I am open to silly gimmick mods, I'll only keep them in for one round. To be clear: A gimmick mod is an immersion-shattering joke or novelty that affects one object or set of objects. Exceptions are possible.
4. I'll only show off things that showcase the mods.
A good way to kill my interest in my own projects is to have me spend time on the unimportant crap. Thus, if a new modset is added that doesn't affect one of the characters, I won't re-record their section, as it will be unchanged. Only characters with obvious modifications will be posted. Similarly, if a mod can be showed off in pictures rather than video, I may choose to do that (if only for the sake of my poor bandwidth). You don't need a video to show off new armor, so if the only change to someone is a change of clothing, I will likely just use screenshots.
<spoiler=Cast>Cast
<spoiler=Isobel Maria>http://imageshack.us/a/img541/4453/qxuf.jpg
Isobel Maria is an Imperial woman in Whiterun. She wants to buy something from the general goods store. She's also a thief and plans on picking someone's pocket today.
<spoiler=Martuk gro-Sharbag>http://imageshack.us/a/img32/174/v1kf.jpg
Martuk gro-Sharbag is an Orc blacksmith, alchemist and enchanter. Simply, he he makes everything. Today, he plans on forging a greataxe and gauntlets at the Skyforge, and then heading up to the castle to enchant them, as well as make a poison for the axe (and maybe a health potion for good measure).
<spoiler=Cana Highlock>http://imageshack.us/a/img19/5334/w83k.jpg
Cana Highlock is an Altmer sorcerer with extensive knowledge of magic and shield. Hidden in a cave away from the main roads (the previous owner of the cave can be seen in the picture), he plans on using the cavern as a testing chamber for his magics. His shield will get use as well, as there's a very irritated bear just outside the cave...
<spoiler=Jytte Kjenssen>http://imageshack.us/a/img19/4373/9fpd.jpg
Jytte Kjenssen is a formidable Nord woman with dragon plate armor and a Skyforge Steel greatsword. She wants to clean out a fortress full of bandits... so that's EXACTLY what she's going to do.
<spoiler=Taraya Adavi>http://imageshack.us/a/img22/4928/hn7s.jpg
Taraya Adavi is an aggressive Khajiit rogue. She will sneak up on a mage inside a fortress and take him down before picking the lock on his chest and stealing his stuff. Unfortunately, she's unaware that there are two fairly powerful mages upstairs and she doesn't stand a chance.
<spoiler=Tavan Mosshollow>http://imageshack.us/a/img707/3433/thx6.jpg
Tavan Mosshollow is a wood elf bedecked in glass armor, with a glass bow and glass arrows and five bottles of poison. He's just spotted a dragon. You tell me what happens next.
<spoiler=Macedia>http://imageshack.us/a/img28/3659/e9tg.jpg
Macedia is the janitor of the game. She has no story that she acts out repeatedly. She has no specialization. She is not locked to any one location.
She doesn't even have any skills of note.
Her purpose is to seek out any new locations that are added via mods and explore them, or play with entirely new items, or test an aspect not covered by the other characters (such as fistfighting). She's also the token Argonian, in case we get an Argonian appearance mod.
Between these seven characters, I will be able to cover all the general content the game has to offer (I hope).
And yes, all of those names are entirely <link=http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Names>lore-friendly.
If you have any questions that I haven't covered, just ask. I'm approachable. If you have mod suggestions, post a link (but remember that a huge queue off the bat could take a while to get through). If you have any questions on HOW to mod the game, ask! If I know the answer, I'll probably write a whole tutorial on the subject.
Ever-Updated Lists
<spoiler=Rounds>As we do rounds, I'll put their jump links here for easy access.
<spoiler=Mods Used>As we cover mods, I'll add them here in alphabetical order (and whether they're active or not). This should help stop repeated requests later on.
<link=https://code.google.com/p/better-oblivion-sorting-software/downloads/list>Better Oblivion Sorting Software (BOSS)
Nexus Mod Manager
Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE)
<link=http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3863>SkyUI
Unofficial Skyrim Patch
<spoiler=Mods In Queue>As mods are suggested and approved, I'll put them here. First come, first served (unless there's conflicting mods, which will be dealt with case-by-case).
<spoiler=Tutorials>Periodically, as they become appropriate, I'll add tutorials for modding, whether it's manual installation or recommended programs or maybe even Creation Kit stuff (very maybe). As I post them, I'll add them to this list with links for future reference.
<color=teal>..............
<color=black>Round 0: The Initial Run
This is my "Clean" run.
"Clean" is misleading. I have already installed an absolute baseline number of mods that I never run the game without.
Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE): This handy tool allows for Skyrim modifications to do more than they normally can by allowing more complex scripting. Most "dramatic" mods use this, so there's no question of necessity.
-Nexus Mod Manager: This isn't a mod so much as it is a personal mod repository. Mods from the Nexus are automatically downloaded here and can be reclassified, installed, deleted, etc. from one window. Immensely useful.
-<link=https://code.google.com/p/better-oblivion-sorting-software/downloads/list>Better Oblivion Sorting Software (BOSS): This also isn't a mod. Due to the way "load ordering" works (I'll write a tutorial soon), this program is essential to making sure none of your mods are eating each other. It's got "Oblivion" in the name, but it works on several Bethesda games.
-Unofficial Skyrim Patch: Bethesda's QA team is too small. Fortunately, we have fans. Standard patch and HD Pack patch are in use.
-<link=http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3863>SkyUI: This is the only "obvious" mod in use at the start. Not only does it function as a menu-replacer (replacing those horrible controller-driven menus we were saddled with at the start with a more Oblivion-style menu), but it also acts adds an in-game mod menu. All mods that use it no longer need randomly placed books in the player's inventory to have options available! Irreplaceable.
Macedia doesn't have much to do here, so we'll do the initial run for the other six characters.
<spoiler=Cana Highlock><youtube=JMYIrpy1Uhg>
<spoiler=Martuk gro-Sharbag><youtube=T94d2-bGKS8>
<spoiler=Taraya Adavi><youtube=iIsYuAspLJs>
<spoiler=Jytte Kjenssen><youtube=dTNmBA_t6dI>
<spoiler=Isobel Maria><youtube=rdseCMuavZ8>
<spoiler=Tavan Mosshollow><youtube=NvDYKyL4cfQ>
So there's our scenes. What should happen to them next?
Postscript 1: After I uploaded these, I realized that none of them did a dragon shout. ;__; I'll have Cana or Tavan do one in the future.
Postscript 2: You might notice the hilariously high resolutions those videos have, even though the quality isn't that great. I'm going to do lower res versions of these in the future to avoid murdering my upload bandwidth.
Postscript 3: Does anyone know of a decent video compression codec that doesn't murder the video quality? FFDShow isn't very good. >__>
Absolutely any feedback/question/criticism is welcomed.
<color=teal>LET'S MOD SKYRIM
So, if you're a PC gamer, you might not have dipped your toes in the modding community at large. Or maybe you're a console gamer who's been curious about what these "modding" shenanigans are all about. Or maybe you've done some modding, but don't know what to try in your game of Skyrim.
Well, this thread is just for you!
<spoiler=How this works>HOW THIS WORKS
I have developed seven different profiles for seven different situations that may arise in a game of Skyrim. Each "round" has each character recorded in a one-or-two minute video of them doing their thing. It's exactly the same every round... except each round has a different set of mods installed into it.
So, what investment do you have? Simple: You pick the mods. Every round will have as many user-selected mods added to it as I deem reasonable. Depending on the mods, it could be two, or it could be twenty.
I will upload a new round once every three to five days, school permitting (I may manage two or even three updates on particularly uninteresting weekends).
The goal is simple: Mod my fresh copy of Skyrim as much as possible before it breaks.
While I will install and play with mods from around the internet, I would MUCH prefer if you would select mods from Skyrim Nexus. I'm not a fan of Steam Workshop for Skyrim, and will use it as a last resort. Likewise, manual installations from non-Nexus sites are doable, but they make me a bit sad.
Note that a heavy mix of Nexus, Workshop and manual installations greatly increases the chances of the game getting borked.
Also note that I've only got the base game, so DLC-reliant mods aren't going to work.
<spoiler=Rules>RULES
1. NO ADULT-TAGGED MODS.
"But lacktheknaaaaaack!"
Nope, sorry. No can do. This means ANY mod labeled "adult" on the Nexus. No killable children, no ultra-realistic gore mods, no sex mods, no nude mods. None of it. The only exception I'll make is an adult-tagged body-replacement mod if and only if it has an underwear-only version. I'm not the only one that uses this computer.
1-1 THIS GOES DOUBLY FOR THAT CURSED BENDY-DONG MOD.
I don't care how hilarious the Reddit thread was. I've had an alarming amount of people tell me I should install it, but I'm not going to. So there.
2. No Overhauls/Custom Races/Megaquests
Due to how I've structured this, showing off custom races, long quests and overhauls is simply too arduous and difficult to bother with, plus overhauls would change the dynamics of each clip enormously without actually explaining why. The only exceptions I'll make to this rule is if a custom race is fully integrated into the game so that I can easily find one and gawp at it (most races are not).
3. Gimmicks will last for one round only.
Yes, turning the dragons into Fluttershy is hilarious, even more hilarious than turning all the mudcrabs into Zoidberg, but that would get REALLY irritating ten rounds later. Thus, while I am open to silly gimmick mods, I'll only keep them in for one round. To be clear: A gimmick mod is an immersion-shattering joke or novelty that affects one object or set of objects. Exceptions are possible.
4. I'll only show off things that showcase the mods.
A good way to kill my interest in my own projects is to have me spend time on the unimportant crap. Thus, if a new modset is added that doesn't affect one of the characters, I won't re-record their section, as it will be unchanged. Only characters with obvious modifications will be posted. Similarly, if a mod can be showed off in pictures rather than video, I may choose to do that (if only for the sake of my poor bandwidth). You don't need a video to show off new armor, so if the only change to someone is a change of clothing, I will likely just use screenshots.
<spoiler=Cast>Cast
<spoiler=Isobel Maria>http://imageshack.us/a/img541/4453/qxuf.jpg
Isobel Maria is an Imperial woman in Whiterun. She wants to buy something from the general goods store. She's also a thief and plans on picking someone's pocket today.
<spoiler=Martuk gro-Sharbag>http://imageshack.us/a/img32/174/v1kf.jpg
Martuk gro-Sharbag is an Orc blacksmith, alchemist and enchanter. Simply, he he makes everything. Today, he plans on forging a greataxe and gauntlets at the Skyforge, and then heading up to the castle to enchant them, as well as make a poison for the axe (and maybe a health potion for good measure).
<spoiler=Cana Highlock>http://imageshack.us/a/img19/5334/w83k.jpg
Cana Highlock is an Altmer sorcerer with extensive knowledge of magic and shield. Hidden in a cave away from the main roads (the previous owner of the cave can be seen in the picture), he plans on using the cavern as a testing chamber for his magics. His shield will get use as well, as there's a very irritated bear just outside the cave...
<spoiler=Jytte Kjenssen>http://imageshack.us/a/img19/4373/9fpd.jpg
Jytte Kjenssen is a formidable Nord woman with dragon plate armor and a Skyforge Steel greatsword. She wants to clean out a fortress full of bandits... so that's EXACTLY what she's going to do.
<spoiler=Taraya Adavi>http://imageshack.us/a/img22/4928/hn7s.jpg
Taraya Adavi is an aggressive Khajiit rogue. She will sneak up on a mage inside a fortress and take him down before picking the lock on his chest and stealing his stuff. Unfortunately, she's unaware that there are two fairly powerful mages upstairs and she doesn't stand a chance.
<spoiler=Tavan Mosshollow>http://imageshack.us/a/img707/3433/thx6.jpg
Tavan Mosshollow is a wood elf bedecked in glass armor, with a glass bow and glass arrows and five bottles of poison. He's just spotted a dragon. You tell me what happens next.
<spoiler=Macedia>http://imageshack.us/a/img28/3659/e9tg.jpg
Macedia is the janitor of the game. She has no story that she acts out repeatedly. She has no specialization. She is not locked to any one location.
She doesn't even have any skills of note.
Her purpose is to seek out any new locations that are added via mods and explore them, or play with entirely new items, or test an aspect not covered by the other characters (such as fistfighting). She's also the token Argonian, in case we get an Argonian appearance mod.
Between these seven characters, I will be able to cover all the general content the game has to offer (I hope).
And yes, all of those names are entirely <link=http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Names>lore-friendly.
If you have any questions that I haven't covered, just ask. I'm approachable.
If you have mod suggestions, post a link (but remember that a huge queue off the bat could take a while to get through). If you have any questions on HOW to mod the game, ask! If I know the answer, I'll probably write a whole tutorial on the subject.Ever-Updated Lists
<spoiler=Rounds>As we do rounds, I'll put their jump links here for easy access.
<spoiler=Mods Used>As we cover mods, I'll add them here in alphabetical order (and whether they're active or not). This should help stop repeated requests later on.
<link=https://code.google.com/p/better-oblivion-sorting-software/downloads/list>Better Oblivion Sorting Software (BOSS)
Nexus Mod Manager
Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE)
<link=http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3863>SkyUI
Unofficial Skyrim Patch
<spoiler=Mods In Queue>As mods are suggested and approved, I'll put them here. First come, first served (unless there's conflicting mods, which will be dealt with case-by-case).
<spoiler=Tutorials>Periodically, as they become appropriate, I'll add tutorials for modding, whether it's manual installation or recommended programs or maybe even Creation Kit stuff (very maybe). As I post them, I'll add them to this list with links for future reference.
<color=teal>..............
<color=black>Round 0: The Initial Run
This is my "Clean" run.
"Clean" is misleading. I have already installed an absolute baseline number of mods that I never run the game without.
Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE): This handy tool allows for Skyrim modifications to do more than they normally can by allowing more complex scripting. Most "dramatic" mods use this, so there's no question of necessity.
-Nexus Mod Manager: This isn't a mod so much as it is a personal mod repository. Mods from the Nexus are automatically downloaded here and can be reclassified, installed, deleted, etc. from one window. Immensely useful.
-<link=https://code.google.com/p/better-oblivion-sorting-software/downloads/list>Better Oblivion Sorting Software (BOSS): This also isn't a mod. Due to the way "load ordering" works (I'll write a tutorial soon), this program is essential to making sure none of your mods are eating each other. It's got "Oblivion" in the name, but it works on several Bethesda games.
-Unofficial Skyrim Patch: Bethesda's QA team is too small. Fortunately, we have fans. Standard patch and HD Pack patch are in use.
-<link=http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3863>SkyUI: This is the only "obvious" mod in use at the start. Not only does it function as a menu-replacer (replacing those horrible controller-driven menus we were saddled with at the start with a more Oblivion-style menu), but it also acts adds an in-game mod menu. All mods that use it no longer need randomly placed books in the player's inventory to have options available! Irreplaceable.
Macedia doesn't have much to do here, so we'll do the initial run for the other six characters.
<spoiler=Cana Highlock><youtube=JMYIrpy1Uhg>
<spoiler=Martuk gro-Sharbag><youtube=T94d2-bGKS8>
<spoiler=Taraya Adavi><youtube=iIsYuAspLJs>
<spoiler=Jytte Kjenssen><youtube=dTNmBA_t6dI>
<spoiler=Isobel Maria><youtube=rdseCMuavZ8>
<spoiler=Tavan Mosshollow><youtube=NvDYKyL4cfQ>
So there's our scenes. What should happen to them next?
Postscript 1: After I uploaded these, I realized that none of them did a dragon shout. ;__; I'll have Cana or Tavan do one in the future.
Postscript 2: You might notice the hilariously high resolutions those videos have, even though the quality isn't that great. I'm going to do lower res versions of these in the future to avoid murdering my upload bandwidth.
Postscript 3: Does anyone know of a decent video compression codec that doesn't murder the video quality? FFDShow isn't very good. >__>
Absolutely any feedback/question/criticism is welcomed.