C3 2024 is here, and we cannot wait to hear about all the upcoming Bethesda Mods! C3 is a 2-day modding showcase event that allows the modding community to take a peak behind the scenes of the development for in-the-works Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and Starfield mods.
The event runs through February 2-3; stick with us as we provide coverage on each panel.
Watch along with us as we update this article in real time; we will provide a link to each panel for you to check out as they go live. With that said...let's go!
Modding Tools Panel
Check out the replay by clicking here.
Key Takeaways
- A Fallout 76 decompiler allowed Kinggath, Eckserah, and other modders to create the necessary systems for decoding and modding Starfield.
- xEdit is designed to look at the game’s base data and consistently display them so it’s easier for data miners and modders to understand.
- However, official modding tools have all the engine code that’s needed for the modders to understand the game’s full environment and make modifications accordingly. The alternative is to replicate the engine’s full code which takes a lot of work.
- Eckserah once spotted a security vulnerability within Bethesda code for Fallout 76 that displayed passwords in plain text. He reported the issue and was told it was patched, and Bethesda banned him for 30 days. The report resulted in a call from the in-game security officer, who told him not to do it again.
- After Fallout 3, Kinggath didn’t have much time with games because he was focused on developing tools and testing all the game files that he had created.
- When Starfield came out, Kinggath thought they developed the wrong game. He said that what people actually want is a platform for creating user content with a storyline.
- With Starfield, Bethesda has built a new way to organize game data that was significantly different from older games. The dev implemented a programming technique called “Reflection,” in which a program can evaluate itself to generate structured data for each of the game’s objects and then generate a binary file for the executable.
- Reflection basically creates a file structure within the existing file structure. This presents a challenge for xEdit because this new system requires replication of the full code to correctly generate game data in read/write format for modding.
- Most of the weapons records in Starfield include Reflection data, which could contain Form IDs. However, modders cannot identify where these Form IDs are within this code since Reflection data cannot be completely decoded. Thus, modding is nearly impossible since Form IDs cannot yet be remapped or rewritten.
- There are, however, cases where data can be edited or modified but will cause issues when the Starfield game engine runs the modified code.
- Starting from Oblivion, the game engine is simply a part of the full code that makes up any Bethesda game. What developers do is take the full source code and files from a previous game and start modifying these until the new game is fully built.
- There’s no secret multiplayer content in Starfield code that’s waiting to be unleashed. Instead, Starfield shares more data structures with Fallout 4’s code.
- You can use Compare Select to select all related records. This will have xEdit put multiple records side by side after which you can do batch edits. You only need to make the needed change to a single record, right-click on the selections, and apply changes to the multiple records.
Joel Burgess & Daryl Brigner
Key Takeaways
- Don't use applause sound fx when donations come through on Twitch.
- Bethesda left breadcrumbs for modders to find and pick up on for things they couldn't finish on a deadline.
- Hand-placing mushrooms individually sounds like a chore.
- There are now videos that can help you build a basic foundation on tools like Creation Kit in just 10 minutes of study.
- Creation Kit is super flexible and gets the job done.
- It’s best to learn the basics in as many parts of your tool set instead of being ultra-proficient in only one tool if you plan to pursue a career in game design.
- The team would have to go back to zero and re-climb the curve to realize a higher potential with a new tool. Hence, design teams would’ve to calculate their risks carefully when faced with a similar situation.
- There was no mandate for generating DLC ideas for Bethesda games like Skyrim. We’re allowed to blow off some Steam as long as it stays within the threshold of the game engine and will not require learning new things.
Nexus
Key Takeaways
- The Nexus mod manager app can make modding less daunting and more accessible to new modders.
- The app will bring better tools for more experienced modders.
- All important parts of the team's work are dependent on Open-Source libraries.
- Vortex was developed at a time when Nexus didn't have the resources for a full development team. It was handled by only one developer with the community providing support.
- Nexus Mods App is developed from the ground up.
- The community can assist in development, but Nexus Mods takes full responsibility for maintenance and debugging.
- The app is written in .NET C# making it cross-platform.
- The Nexus Mods app will be a fully native desktop app and will support Windows 10.
- "Upgrade your PC." - Todd Howard
- The team is actively developing for Linux because of Steam Deck, and will also work on Mac OS X soon as they have free time because of games like Stardew Valley and Baldur’s Gate 3.
- The app is designed for resolutions like 1080p, 1440p, and 800p.
- The app will also support ultrawide resolution via panels and multi-window workspaces.
- The Mod Organizer 2 uses a virtual file system to install mods, but often gets flagged as malware as a false positive.
- The Nexus Mods App will make use of hashing to take a snapshot of the game folder before installation and before uninstalling in order to make an “undo” and “redo” possible.
- Hashing will make it possible for users to go back to any point in time that there are changes in the game folder.
- You can have your mods downloaded in a different drive and still work even when the game is installed on the other drive.
- The manager keeps the mod files compressed until they need to be extracted to the game folder.
- The Nexus Mods app will use the NX file format, not the 7z format for archiving files.
Skyblivion
Key Takeaways
- Skyblivion is currently in the polishing stage, where bugs are spotted and taken care of.
- Skyblivion might come out after roughly a year.
- The project will start recording the voice performances soon since the dialogues have already been written.
- The game's NPCs are already starting to walk around in this phase of development.
- Developers have already added stars to the environment.
- The quests have not yet been properly implemented for now, so the Oblivion Gates are not yet opening up.
- Developer believes that they could pull out DLCs in a “short time” after release after the team is dispersed to tasks related to adding elements to the 1.0 game.
- There will be plenty of bug fixing after the release of 1.0.
- The team expects modders to come to help them make the game "more interesting" after release since they can bring in more manpower or resources.
- Creature combat is already functional. The developer was able to kill a wolf and an imp at two points during the stream.
- The developers still need to polish 12 sets of clothing.
- The team will lessen their developer diary streams once they get close to wrapping up the project since everyone will be busy grinding.
- Aiming for 2025 release date.
Fallout London
Key Takeaways
- ESO Danny is hosting, joining him are Wolfy Joe lead level designer, Prilladog/Dean project manager and C3Delight/Jordan lead 3D artist.
- The devs put some of their own houses in the game, one even extended the map further out at one point to include theirs accurately.
- Fallout London trailer was shown.
- Advert breaks on Twitch are frustrating.
- Prilladog admits that the COVID pandemic lockdowns saved the project by allowing team members to focus more on the game being at home for 2 years.
- There is a core team of 20 people working on Fallout London, extending to 50 working on the game. The 3D department has the largest team.
- Famous London landmarks will feature, London locals or those familiar with London will be able to navigate accurately as they used Google Maps to build the map.
- Niche localized landmarks have also been added that people will recognize. Camden area was highlighted for having extreme attention to detail
- Punk factions will roam Camden.
- Tropes from New Vegas and existing lore were taken into account while designing the world and factions within.
- The Knights of Camelot faction will have chainmail and swords.
- Nothing from Fallout 4 will be included. Prilladog made it clear that it is a mod, but when you load it, there will be no Fallout 4 traces - only Fallout London, a whole new experience.
- There are over 20,000 textures in the mod, and 50 unique new songs have been created for the soundtrack.
- To remain true to the UK's gun laws, it will be more difficult to find guns and ammo compared to melee weapons in Fallout London. Resources like purified water will also be tougher to find as the game will be harder than Fallout 4 and lean more into the survival element of the games.
- Food will have more of a function, and a whole quest will revolve around dog food.
- You shouldn't swim in the Thames - Wolfy recommends loading a previous save if you jump in.
- There is a gated level system for certain areas, but you can go wherever you like from the beginning - you just might not last too long if you choose to do so.
- To finish acts 1 & 2 it took an estimated 12 hours; there are 3 acts in total. For completionists, it will take around 25 hours to finish, depending on playstyle. For players who want to just get through the main campaign without touching side quests or exploration, an estimated 15 hours of gameplay await.
- Multiple religions, from Sikh to the Church of England, will feature, replicating the real-life diversity of the city.
- Mentions of the US invading Canada from official Fallout lore are made due to Canada being a part of the British Commonwealth.
- Sylvester McCoy and Colin Baker, famous for portraying Doctor Who, have recorded dialogue for characters in the game.
- The team may consider making their own game after the mod is completed. Jordan mentioned the story of Fallout London possibly being explored outside of Creation Kit.
- It is still on track for release on April 23 this year, unfortunately, not for Xbox. Fallout London is PC only due to the size of the mod and the requirement for a script extender.
Revelation Blues
Key Takeaways
- Van Buren was the codename for the original Fallout 3 developed by Black Isle Studio. Due to bankruptcy at Interplay, Van Buren was canceled, and Bethesda purchased the Fallout IP.
- Original Van Buren design documents leaked to the public, and a following began: Revelation Blues is a faithful adaptation of Van Buren for Fallout New Vegas.
- Viewpoint will not be isometric.
- It will not follow on from New Vegas. Instead, it will follow Fallout 2's story and timeline. Set prior to Bethesda's Fallout games, only Fallout 1,2, and Tactics are canon to Revelation Blues.
- The project started around April 2021.
- Most New Vegas weapons will be present along with some new additions.
- The map is not one open world but rather a series of smaller hubs linked together. Traversal will be done by foot or fast travel via trains, vehicles and caravans.
- You play as a prisoner, either wrongfully committed or guilty of your crimes, depending on your choices.
- There are both major and minor factions to encounter as well as 17 different companions available in the game.
- After some in-game assets were discussed, a promo trailer for Fallout Revelation Blues was shown, showing off some of the run-down areas created for the mod; no enemies or NPCs were featured.
- Playable demo of Burham Springs coming in 2026.
Elianora
Key Takeaways
- Eli's armor compendium update is live right now on Nexus Mods.
- Adds over 30 new outfits and lots of new accessories like backpacks and armor. 7 new t-shirt graphics and improved texture quality across the board.
- Some cool combos are possible to wear with the vault jumpsuit.
- A patch is coming that will apply the armor to named NPCs.
Webb Productions
Key Takeaways
- Showcasing and having your mods critiqued is highly important.
- Working with a team may overwhelm you at first, but it will help your journey immensely.
- A lot of the classic assets for New Vegas showcased here that are being worked on were used during the Revelation Blues panel.
Neeher
Key Takeaways
- 3D model rig demonstration.
- Animations are hard to do in Starfield as the animation system is completely new and doesn't use Havok.
Fallout: Appalachia
Key Takeaways
- Fallout Appalachia brings the map of Fallout 76 to Fallout 4 and imagines it 200 years later in the same time period as 4.
- Continues the sole survivor story from Fallout 4.
- The gameplay of the mod is shown as they discuss. The mod looks ready to go.
- Rust Devils origins explored - long term descendants of Vault 76. Travel to Appalachia to end their threat. The Rust Devils have forced their way into Vault 76 and destroyed all the C.A.M.P devices.
- The team has tried to retain the narrative from Fallout 76.
- Terminals in the mod have cut content from Fallout 3. Some rooms were locked off in 76 that are now accessible in Appalachia.
- Holotapes telling the history of Vault 76 were made from cut tutorial content from Fallout 76. The narrative being unfinished at the moment for 76 means some of what has happened in the years leading to Fallout 4 has been left vague so that the player can piece together what may have happened.
- No mechanics like weapon degradation from 76 are brought over as Fallout Appalachia is designed to be an expansion of Fallout 4.
- Going to Appalachia after completing Fallout 4 will change your experience. Siding with the Brotherhood will provide you support from them there, Railroad will make caches appear, if you destroy the institute, you'll be hunted in Appalachia, the Minutemen ending will give their outposts to support, and lastly, siding with the institute will bring a lot more raiders appear in Appalachia.
- The release date is unknown but will be before Fallout 5; a public demo and another test build are planned. A third of the mod is completed.
Vault 16 Redux
Key Takeaways
- Vault 16 Redux is a remaster of Vault 16, a mod about a vault still operational in Mojave. The original version was left broken and incomplete; now, the dev has learned more skills, he plans to revamp and complete the project.
- The gameplay is being shown of Vault 76 Redux; it's neat to see a mod set inside a vault that is still functioning. Conspiracy and mystery are the driving forces of the story.
- Finding out what is going on in the vault via NPC conversations and checking out terminals seems like it could be quite interesting.
- The Overseer seems deliciously evil in Vault 16 Redux.
- The release date is set for February 23 this year.
Independent Fallout Wiki
Key Takeaways
- The site launched last year and is run by regular fans ad-free.
- Focus on documenting mods.
- Database of modders and what they worked on with a goal of documenting every author.
- Modders can claim and set up their own pages or request for one to be made for them.
Phew, that finishes up over 14 hours of coverage for you! What a first day for C3 2024, we will be covering Day 2 as a round-up rather than another live article this Monday. Swing by then, or stick around and check out the rest of our site, where you will find the most comprehensive Starfield Database, walkthroughs, guides, and all things Fallout and Elder Scrolls!
Be sure to follow C3 on X.com by clicking here; also, check out the Fallout For Hope website, who organize C3 and do some amazing things for charity.
What did you think of C3 Day 1? Let us know in the comments!
- RELATED - C3 2024 Schedule Reveal