Version Dependent Mods

[conundrum]

{stands on soapbox}

I would like to make a plea to all mod authors to NOT make their mods dependent on a specific version of FO4, the script extender, etc., if at all possible. If what you are trying to do can't be done without version dependence then please commit to keeping your mod up-to-date in 48-72 hrs of a new version release. If you can't make a commitment to keeping up with new version releases, then don't post the mod, or find some else who can and will keep your mod up-to-date.

 

Someone is bound to reply that all you have to do is turn off auto-update in Steam. That is all well and good if you never, ever, turn-off or reboot your computer and you never, ever, have a power outage. Steam will update on system boot, even if update on game launch is turned off. Maybe, if enough people complain to Steam they will fix it where you have the option of no auto updates without you responding to a prompt that says "An update for <name of game> is available, do you want to 1-install now, 2-be reminded in X-days, 3-update only when I go to Steam and click an install update button. I've sent them this request several times, but unless a lot of people do it, it will never happen.

{gets down from soapbox}

 

A very big thank you to all those who keep up with version changes and respond in a reasonable amount of time.

[Deleted58783396User]

backup your entire fallout 4 folder, add it to an archive, and put the archive somewhere else.

 

everytime you suspect that fallout 4 has updated, replace the updated fallout 4 files, with your backed up files. and Problem Solved. it takes a few minutes, and you can completely ignore the forced steam updates. Bethesda has long since stopped fixing their game, so their is absolutely no need to update the game.

 

the only reason to update the game is for creation club content. which will be largely useless to the majority of pc modders. especially as their will either be a completely free alternative which will most likely be better made, or eventually their will be a free alternative made in the future. or the fact that their is so many mods, their is bound to be something more deserving of your limited total mod count (Load Order).

 

not a single creation club item has even peaked my interest. so for me their is literally no need to update the game. and thus backing up the files is a no brainer.

 

their is already 25970 total amount of fallout 4 mods on this site alone, with many still being made each day. the mod limit is 255, this pretty much makes the creation club redundant. and further makes all them fallout 4 updates completely obsolite. it would be extremely unlikely that you could not find 255 mods you like out of 26 thousand (26,000) mods.

 

not too mention this is not the only site to host free mods, their are many out their, but nexus is the biggest. so in total their could be over 100k (100,000) free fallout 4 mods that are of decent quality, even futher making the creation club interest on pc pratically non existent.

 

backing up files, is common knowledge for anyone that owns a desktop/laptop computer. and as such everyone should always be backing up their files regardless.

Edited October 7, 2018 by Guest

[Reneer]

I would like to make a plea to all mod authors to NOT make their mods dependent on a specific version of FO4, the script extender, etc., if at all possible. If what you are trying to do can't be done without version dependence then please commit to keeping your mod up-to-date in 48-72 hrs of a new version release. If you can't make a commitment to keeping up with new version releases, then don't post the mod, or find some else who can and will keep your mod up-to-date.

 

You don't get to make demands of people who give you their work for free. That's not how it works. You went mod authors to work within your timeframe? Start paying them. Edited October 7, 2018 by Reneer

[SKKmods]

Anyone can publish any old crap, it's up to *YOU* the end user to decide on the quality of product you consume.

 

Example: unless a mod is clearly described as dependency free and making zero changes to base game scripts and assets, I don't install it no matter how bright/shiny/slooty/whatever it appears. Suggesting no mods should be published unless they meet *my* consumer requirements is doomed to disappointment.

[pra]

Have you, maybe, by any chance, considered that version dependency is maybe NOT a conscious decision on the mod author's side, just to annoy you personally? But instead, an inevitable technical limitation, if you want to achieve specific effects? "I have no idea where Bethesda's compiler might put those memory addresses I need to manipulate next time they build Fallout4.exe, but that one guy in the forum told me to stop being version-dependent, so I guess I have to learn clairvoyance now!"

 

It's short of a wonder that it's possible at all to make version-independent F4SE plugins. So how about you stop bitching around and be more grateful instead?

[MissingMeshTV]

If what you are trying to do can't be done without version dependence then please commit to keeping your mod up-to-date in 48-72 hrs of a new version release.

 

LOL! The Entitlement is strong with this one. I know it might be hard to comprehend, but other people's lives DO have priority over your ability to play a video game.

[conundrum]

 

You don't get to make demands of people who give you their work for free. That's not how it works. You went mod authors to work within your timeframe? Start paying them.

 

It was a plea, that is a form of request, NOT a demand!

[conundrum]

 

You don't get to make demands of people who give you their work for free. That's not how it works. You went mod authors to work within your timeframe? Start paying them.

 

It was a plea, that is a form of request, NOT a demand!

 

Have you, maybe, by any chance, considered that version dependency is maybe NOT a conscious decision on the mod author's side, just to annoy you personally? But instead, an inevitable technical limitation, if you want to achieve specific effects? "I have no idea where Bethesda's compiler might put those memory addresses I need to manipulate next time they build Fallout4.exe, but that one guy in the forum told me to stop being version-dependent, so I guess I have to learn clairvoyance now!"

 

It's short of a wonder that it's possible at all to make version-independent F4SE plugins. So how about you stop bitching around and be more grateful instead?

If it is a technical limitation, I'm fine with that. The vast majority of mod authors DO keep their mods updated in a timely manner, and I appreciate their efforts. I didn't tell anyone to stop making version dependent mods, I just asked them to avoid it IF POSSIBLE. Finally, I'm very grateful for all the free mods, the hard work that goes into them, and the majority of mod authors who support their work.

[conundrum]

 

You don't get to make demands of people who give you their work for free. That's not how it works. You went mod authors to work within your timeframe? Start paying them.

 

It was a plea, that is a form of request, NOT a demand!

 

Have you, maybe, by any chance, considered that version dependency is maybe NOT a conscious decision on the mod author's side, just to annoy you personally? But instead, an inevitable technical limitation, if you want to achieve specific effects? "I have no idea where Bethesda's compiler might put those memory addresses I need to manipulate next time they build Fallout4.exe, but that one guy in the forum told me to stop being version-dependent, so I guess I have to learn clairvoyance now!"

 

It's short of a wonder that it's possible at all to make version-independent F4SE plugins. So how about you stop bitching around and be more grateful instead?

If it is a technical limitation, I'm fine with that. The vast majority of mod authors DO keep their mods updated in a timely manner, and I appreciate their efforts. I didn't tell anyone to stop making version dependent mods, I just asked them to avoid it IF POSSIBLE. Finally, I'm very grateful for all the free mods, the hard work that goes into them, and the majority of mod authors who support their work, and you do appear to give good support to your mods, so my comments weren't aimed at you.

[Thuggysmurf]

I didn't tell anyone to stop making version dependent mods, I just asked them to avoid it IF POSSIBLE.

 

The mod authors who are releasing mods dependent on a specific version of Fallout4.exe or F4SE tend to be among the most technically proficient modders in existence (e.g. Expired6978, Registrator2000). If there were a way to make the mods non-version dependent, it's a safe bet they would already be doing it (e.g. Expired's Achievements mod but not his LooksMenu mod), as they don't want to be constantly bothered about "when will this be updated for F4SE?" any more than users want to ask about it.

 

The whole game/F4SE update thing is a non-issue though if you take the .exe backup advice above, or let a mod like Fallout4.exe Auto-Backup do it for you:

https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/26956