Do I need any updates if I buy GotY Edition?

[majikmonkee]

In answer to your earlier question, there are controllers you can use to play games like Oblivion, but having played both the console and PC version, I'd say there's no doubt the keyboard/mouse provides a much smoother experience. Trying to aim a bow and arrow or spell quickly and accurately is a chore for me on consoles, whereas it feels like second nature with a mouse. Also, if you get into the whole mod thing, there are several that require assigning special keys on the keyboard, and it just makes them easier to reach if you're using the keyboard and mouse for everything to begin with.

[dcgames]

That sounds great, but I just found out that you can't download any Oblivion content on a 64-bit version of Windows (I have Win7 Home Premium 64-bit). Kind of strange.

 

Update: I've been Googling on this and it seems Oblivion can be run on 64-bit Win7, it just needs to be installed to C:\Games\Oblivion instead of the default location (which I assume is C:\Program Files\Oblivion). As for the "Official Oblivion downloads" I'm not sure what Bethsoft is referring to, unless they mean only downloads made by them. So far in my reading it seems many people have installed Oblivion and mods on Win7 64-bit without any issues.

Edited December 18, 2010 by dcgames

[bben46]

You can play Oblivion on 64 bit Win7. I have been doing since Win7 first came out. What Bethesda is saying is they have not tested it with 64 bit or Win7 and don't want to be bothered with people who do have problems with Running Oblivion with Win7 x64. All mods I have tried have worked fine.

 

Oblivion was designed to work on WinXP 32 bit single processor as that was the platform of choice at that time. Both multi processor and Vista were introduced late in the development of the game - Bethsoft made a decision to NOT make any changes for vista compatibility as that would have pushed the release date of the PC version back several months. Making changes for 64 bit compatibility or multiple processor compatibility would have pushed it back another year.

 

I have it installed on C:\games\oblivion and have left the UAC turned on to protect those programs that do need protection from being changed by a virus that sneaks in and makes changes - such as disabling your antivirus. There is no need for a game to have this kind of draconian protection - there is need for other programs to have it although not as many as MS would have you believe.

 

Through the cycle of operating systems from Win95 on, the place developers were told to install their programs has always been in the program files folder. When Vista introduced UAC, they started protecting the program files folder from unauthorized changes, but never changed their recommendations about where to install. MS believes that all programs should automatically be protected from unauthorized changes so the always ask you to authorize any change - and this means people get used to automatically authorizing anything that pops up with UAC, or shutting down the UAC protection entirely. Both of which allow certain types of malware to take control of your computer without you even knowing it. Some of these go so far as to change your antivirus to not recognize that malware as a virus at all. So even though your antivirus scan reports no problem, you are still infected.

 

By moving any application - such as games - that don't need this protection out of the program files folders you are no longer pestered by the UAC pop up and you can leave the UAC protection in place where it is needed.

[dcgames]

Ben, thanks for the info. After I install Oblivion what optimizations, mods, and apps should I get? I've heard that you need OBMM, to use mods (I believe). I've seen several lists or guides already concerning these things. There is one on Steam here, and an optimizing guide here.

 

I'm just wondering (out of all these things) what ones I should get to enhance the gameplay. What do you guys recommend?

Edited December 18, 2010 by dcgames

[Fonger]

Hmm, so I guess this means I won't be able to get any downloadable content for the game, like mods and such?

actually what it means is that if you have a problem while using one of those operating systems

 

Bethesda will ignore you.

 

but too many people are having no problems for you to worry about this.

 

just install the game outside of the default location - to ignore UAC - and 99.99999999999999% of your potential problems will simply vanish

 

 

 

BTW get any official DLC on disk (maybe from D2D or steam) to avoid 64bit problems on install

Edited December 18, 2010 by Fonger

[dcgames]

BTW get any official DLC on disk (maybe from D2D or steam) to avoid 64bit problems on install

 

I don't know what DLC is. Are you talking about the game itself? I was planning on buying it from a store. I assume it comes on discs.

[darkedge42392]

What he is talking about is the Official DLCs, like Fighter's Stronghold, Frostcraig Spire, Mehrune's Razor, Spell Tomes and the like. Those are some of the Official DLCs. The Oblivion GOTY comes with Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine, so you don't have to worry about getting those. And yes, the game itself comes on two disks. You install them one right after the other and play with the first. Just follow these simple tips when you go to install your game.

 

1. Install it outside of the Program Files folder. The default install is C:/Program Files (x86)/Bethesda Softworks/Oblivion. Install it in say C:/My Games/Oblivion. That way you get around the UAC and you don't have to keep it turned off.

2. Make sure to defrag your hard drive after you install Oblivion. That way you don't have the game stuttering on you. I don't like or care for the default Windows Disk Defrag. Go with Auslogics Disk Degfrag. It can defrag your hard drive in a fraction of the time it takes the Windows one to do.

3. Before you go crazy with installing mods, I suggest you take the time to do one playthrough without any mods. That way you can see what you like about the vanilla game and what you would want to change. And also to get your graphical settings set up. :biggrin:

4. Also, once you start downloading mods and installing them, do not, I repeat, DO NOT batch install mods. That means installing a ton of mods at once and hoping that they work correctly. That's a bad thing to think. Because they won't do that. Instead, install mods one at a time. Make sure it works before you go to install another mod. This will save you a ton of time and headaches. And always defrag your hard drive after a large install.

5. There are a ton of mods out there for you to pick. I suggest starting small and then working your way up. Learn to install mods manually first. OBMM and Wrye Bash are great tools to use, but if you don't know how to install and remove mods manually, you could very well ruin your game.

 

Well, this is all the advice I have to give right now. I've learned this is the best way to go when starting Oblivion. Hope you'll take the time and follow these tidbits of advice.

[dcgames]

Darkedge, thanks for those install tips. I'll definitely use those when I install the game. And a big "THANK YOU" to the rest of you - you've all been very helpful. I appreciate it. I'm still trying to find an Oblivion game in my vicinity, but it looks like I'm going to have to order it from somewhere online - if I can find it. For an older game it's hard to find. Edited December 18, 2010 by dcgames

[darkedge42392]

Have you looked at a local Wal-mart or GameStop? (this is me assuming you live in the States) I found mine there for $20.

[Fonger]

I'm still trying to find an Oblivion game in my vicinity, but it looks like I'm going to have to order it from somewhere online - if I can find it. For an older game it's hard to find.

http://www.amazon.com/Elder-Scrolls-IV-Oblivion-Game-Pc/dp/B000V9C9FO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1292707342&sr=8-3