Why are mods being released in both the steam workshop and on the skyr

[lukeman3000]

I just had a couple questions about skyrim mods in general.

 

1. Why are mods still being released on the skyrim nexus instead of on the steam workshop, or whatever it's called? Seems like it would make sense to consolidate the mods into one place instead of having them separate, but obviously I am ignorant as to the reasons.

 

2. Do many mod developers who release on skyrim nexus also release on the steam workshop?

 

3. Recently, I deleted my local skyrim files/folder and am re-downloading the game because I want to reduce clutter and start with a clean install. However, I also want the official Bethesda HD textures -- if I install the Bethesda textures first, will I not run into problems when I install other texture mods, or is there something else that will need to be done in order to not cause conflicts?

[Deleted472477User]

I'm not sure of Steam's TOS regarding sex, nudity etc. in mods but if there's anything in the TOS that forbids it, that could be one reason. As to the other way around, I imagine there's people who don't like Nexus/have been banned/find it easier or whatever. I don't have an answer for #3, alas.

 

I do think in regards to #2, yeah, I imagine so, as it would be more downloads for them.

[amycus]

I can try to answer your two first questions at least:

 

1) Although the steam workshop requires one less click to install a mod, it isn't very user friendly to the mod authors themselves. Unlike skyrimnexus, the workshop doesnt allow multiple file versions, script extenders, upload of modders resource files or any other kind of files like a common .exe. It also doesnt let you download a file separately, which is useful for other modders who wish to "dissect" some one else's mod in order to learn something from it. And there are no real moderators to keep the trolls away in the workshop. It doesnt let you list your own "credits and permissions" either (in fact, you might actually lose some rights of your own work because of the Terms of Service for uploading to the workshop).

 

Even as a mod user it has some serious downsides. They have fixed some of them by now, but you still can't change your load order (which is essantial when you use more than one mod, to avoid any conflicts). Personally I still havn't figured out how you are supposed to uninstall a mod from there (the "unsubscribe" button only stop the mod from updating. Also, the auto updating in itself can be a problem with mods, since you have no control of whatever changes the mod author suddenly change unexpectantly. And these are all problems just in the back of my head.

 

2) Some of them do, and in that case they usually have a link to the steam workshop version (and vice versa). Although I listed a lot of problems with the steam workshop, it does serve a purpose in creating a larger interest in modding.

 

Can't answer question 3 though, since I don't use any retexture mods.

Edited April 8, 2012 by amycus

[Tamb0]

Apart from the outrageous T&Cs (they own all your work), some mods require an esm and an esp to work. Steam does not allow for this.

It's 1 esp only (or false flagged esp).

 

[Edit]

With regards to question 3, any retexture in an esp will overwrite the HD texture pack ingame without conflict.

Edited April 8, 2012 by Tamb0

[DarNilavu]

I don't know about other people, but I can see why some people - including myself - would prefer to post on Nexus instead of the workshop: a lot of the people using the workshop do not understand how .esm files work. They end up downloading two mods with conflicting .esm files and then *censored* that the mod is broken. With the Nexus, you upload a .zip file with all the info you need and you can see the conflicting files without any special utility in most cases.

 

Also, the general mod knowledge on Nexus is, still, greater than that on steam. People do still complain when they don't install it correctly, but you seem to see less of that here than on Steam anyway.

[Rabbit1251]

A lot of people, myself included, choose to do our mod shopping exclusively at the Nexus. I don't even want Steam managing my games, but in that I have no choice. Some others may prefer Steam because it's the AOL of modding. But in any case it's nice to have choices and competition is good for the community.

 

 

Rabbit

[Staind716]

You have a lot more control over your mods when you use Nexus. It's a lot easier to have different options to choose from for a mod and you also get to decide when and what you are going to update. I use Nexus almost exclusively because it is a far more professional and user-friendly site. I know it is just click and subscribe on the Workshop which would seem like the easier option and it probably is until you have a problem. From all I've heard, the Workshop mods are a pain to find and uninstall when you unsubscribe to them. I prefer to install most of my mods manually so if I do have any issues I know exactly what files are where since I put them there myself. Even NMM is a much better option than Workshop.

 

Yes, some authors release their mods to both Nexus and Workshop. That being said, there are a lot of awesome mods on Nexus that are not on Workshop because of Steam's limitations or just personal preference. If there is a mod offered on both I use Nexus every time.

 

Because the HD pack is a texture pack you have no problem installing other mods over it. Your new texture mod that you choose will simply overwrite the HD dlc. This is actually the best way to go for improved textures because you can overwrite the things you don't like and still keep the ones you do. The dlc makes a great base for your game but I wouldn't use just it alone. Enjoy your game. :smile:

[a7x5631]

I use both.

 

I don't use the Mod Manager so I can't really comment on how that works, but I only use the Workshop for mods that get updated frequently (Houses, mesh improvements, etc.) The Nexus is where I get all of my texture mods. Simply extract to the textures folder, enjoy. For some people, it's really hard or just a pain in the butt. But, many of us here have been doing this since Morrowind or Oblivion.

[gohanf22]

Honestly if the NMM would work as it should, maybe they wouldn't have a Steam workshop. Having CTD's constantly happen cause the BOSS masterlist is never right and putting mods in wrong order, is probably why people are using the workshop. If the BOSS masterlist would always be right, CTD's would most likely NEVER happen. If we could get level headed scripters and programmers to do the NMM, it would most likely be flawless and we wouldn't have people coming on here always saying about CTD's. It is starting to get annoying that the mods you want to use in game make your game CTD cause the NMM is not working as it should. I for one am starting to get annoyed and I do believe I am not alone in this boat.

[HappyerbS]

The workshop never works for me,error after error,if not it times out.