Skyrim modding

Skyrim modding 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new quests and characters, or update the game's graphics and animations.[2] As the vanilla game has a reputation for outdated mechanics, it is common for players to mod Skyrim even prior to their first playthrough.[3]

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]

  1. ^ 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. ^ 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.