Winners UseDrugs

As promised, here it is, le grand console code guide. Using console codes can seem pretty intimidating: the thought that you can literally do whatever you want with the game, being given the developer’s tools to do so, is a bit mindblowing at first. Bethesda’s code transparency is something to be admired, certainly, but there’s no reason to be scared of it. There’s no better way to make the most of your game than by utilizing the information they’ve freely given us. 

Console codes are pretty essential for a Bethesda title, anyway: the vast universe entailed in each of their intricately detailed titles lends itself to incredibly buggy gameplay, at times only fixable with console codes. It’s for that reason that I never play a Bethesda title on a console. For Elder Scrolls and Fallout, you really want to go PC.

For purposes of illustration, I’ll be using code examples from Skyrim, but these instructions can also be used for Fallout 3 and New Vegas.

So, how to use them. It’s really not as hard as you think. You first have to “open” the console. This creates a black box pop up at the bottom of the screen where you can easily enter the necessary code.

To open the console box, press the tilde button on the upper left hand corner of your keyboard, which consists of ~ and `. Type out the directed code, press enter, and exit the console by once again pressing `.

Most console code directions will tell you everything you need to put into the line of code to make it work. For instance, if you wanted to add an item to your character’s inventory, you would enter

player.additem <ref id code> <quantity>

You would first look up the reference id code for the item, say, Glass Arrows, which in Skyrim is 000139BE. Then you decide your quantity, in our case we’ll say 200. The line of code would then look like this:

player.additem 000139BE 200

press enter, exit the console with `, and voila, 200 Glass Arrows in your inventory. It’s really that simple.

You PC players, go try it out for yourself, and tell me out it works! You’ll find a list of item codes at the Elder Scrolls Wikia.

Arguably harder than using console codes, installing a game mod can involve a few tweaks and adjustments (and even an extra program or two) to achieve optimum functionality. But with all the creative content out there, and the hundreds of hours it can add to your playtime, you’ll likely find whatever effort you put in well worth it.

Now, these instructions are from my time installing mods on Fallout 3 and New Vegas, and so this installation process is based on Bethesda titles. Installing a mod on Skyrim should work exactly the same way (though if it doesn’t for some reason I openly invite you to hold me down and beat me for not checking first).

The first step in the process, naturally, is to find a mod you want to install. You can find a little bit of everything, from textures to music to quests, over at the Nexus network (http://www.fallout3nexus.com http://www.newvegasnexus.com http://www.skyrimnexus.com). My recommendations include CONEL RAD radio for Fallout 3 and New Vegas, Existence 2.0 for Fallout 3, and Underground Hideout for Fallout 3.

The second is to install a mod manager. This can be an optional step if you intend to only use minor amount of mods. However, some mods will require such a massive  change to the game’s structure that you will have to adjust the order in which the game loads them. By adjusting the load order and moving more complicated files to the bottom of the list, you give them enough time to fully load into your game and function as they should. Different mod managers exist for different Bethesda games, but the ones you’ll need will likely be the Fallout Mod Manager, New Vegas Mod Manager, or Nexus Mod Manager.

The third step is to download and install. Now, while there are a few super-sophisticated mods that have their own installation set-up (Cube Experimental for Fallout 3 is an excellent example), the vast majority of mods will require that you directly deposit their components into the Program Files. This is not as hard as it sounds. It merely requires that you defy all logic and start messing around with the Program Files. But the great thing *about* those files is that you can easily make a copy and put it on your Desktop to replace the original if anything should go horribly wrong. In fact, that should probably considered “Step 3, part A”. Next is to download and unzip the mod.

Once you’ve done that, go into Downloads, find your unzipped file and open it. In most mod files, you should find an .esp (sometimes a different type of file but .esp is the most common), and some other folders like Texture or Sound (depending on the type of mod and its needs). You will normally also find a “Read Me” file that will explain any kinks or special instructions for installation. The vast majority of the time, you will be directly depositing the .esp file and assorted folders into the Data folder of your game file. Typically these are found by accessing C:\ > Program Files > [Name of Publisher] > [Name of Game] > Data, however, if you have a Steam copy of the game, you will first have to look in “Steam” or “Valve” before accessing the publisher and game files. Once you have opened the intended destination of your mod files, simply drag them over from your open Download folder and deposit them into Data.

At this point, if you are installing a more intensive mod like Fallout 3 Wanderer’s Edition or Mart’s Mutant Mod, you will want to adjust their load order in your mod manager. From here you can also “activate” the mods by clicking their respective check boxes. Note: if you do not activate the mods in your mod manager, you will have to do so in the game menu by accessing the Data Files. Unactivated mods will have an empty box next to them that must be checked before the content will actively load into your game.

All in all it’s really not that hard. You’re basically downloading and unzipping a file, then DURRRRRR depositing it right into the necessary Program File folder. The hardest part is finding the right place to put them. And even that is not difficult. All in all, game mods are one of the best reasons to own a gaming PC.