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Original DOOM from 1993 is not the only game in the portfolio of the publisher Bethesda Softworks, which will probably be with us forever and which is still cared for not only by modders, but also by the developers themselves. It’s the same with RPGs The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) from Bethesda Game Studios, thus the improved Special Edition (2016). The newly released proves it patchwhich on PC adds official Steam Deck support and ultrawide monitor resolution. It also brings a new system of paid mods across platforms. Yes, again.

Leaving aside the ancient paid mod system for the original version of Skyrim, which used Steam’s community features, and which was deleted shortly after launch due to a fairly strong wave of criticism, Skyrim Special Edition owners and Falloutu 4 until now, they had two options to access additional content directly from the comfort of the game’s main menu. Underneath the Mods option was Bethesda’s own workshop of sorts, where any modder with access to the Creation Kit modding tools on PC could upload their own creation. And thus offer a large part of mods to users not only of PC, but also of consoles. And then there was the Creation Club, an in-game store offering paid additions created either by developers at Bethesda Game Studios or by modders. You could buy these with credits, the packages of which cost you real money.

Even Creation Club was very often seen as a form of paid mods. Their but the authors were paid the same as external developers. And the addons themselves could always boast of localization into multiple languages, passing a proper testing process by Bethesda, or the fact that their activation, unlike classic mods downloaded via the Mods item, did not cancel your ability to unlock achievements or trophies. So they were more minor DLCs, with the fact that they were not always signed by Bethesda Game Studios employees.

Creation Club was understandably also heavily criticized, as most players never got over the idea that it was a paid mod and not a slightly different concept of paid DLC. And the truth is that the difference between mods and what Creation Club offers was usually hard to explain to anyone and the coexistence of both systems could be confusing. AND maybe that’s why the creators decided to simply unite them. After downloading the new Skyrim Special Edition update, instead of the Mods and Creation Club items, you will only find the Creations option in the menu.

Even the system with the full name Bethesda Game Studios Creations allows free mods to be shared and downloaded created in the Creation Kit. The developers also promise that no one will lose any Creation Club content they already own, which is useful information especially for those who bought the two-year-old Anniversary Edition upgrade. This provides access to the complete Creation Club content released so far, including new weapons, armor, quests, houses, game modes, dungeons or companions. Creations though will allow modders or entire teams to charge for their newly uploaded creations if they become verified authors.

Developers or creative teams who like the idea of ​​trying to sell their mods to the community must first log into program with the beautifully memorable and concise name Bethesda Game Studios Verified Creator Program. If their application is approved by studio staff, they can submit their creation to the official approval process. AND if approved, they can start selling that creation through the Creations menu and receive a share of the profits from each purchase, thanks to Microsoft’s partner center. Because Microsoft has to remind us here again that they own all of Bethesda, even though the new Skyrim update and the entire Creations system are indeed available on almost all platforms, which include Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Only Switch owners and GOG fans are out of luck for now.

Honestly, looking at what I’ve written so far about all this awesomeness, I’m not entirely sure it’s going to get any easier from now on. Especially when the need to buy using credits instead of specific amounts has not disappeared. At the very least it can be expected that the community reaction to the next idea of ​​paid mods will be as negative as at any time in the past. Already because there is a high probability that the new update will break a lot of existing modifications, which happens with the release of every major update.

But if you like the system and want to financially support some clever modders, you can now purchase the first creations using the new Creations system. Choice includes the mechanics of importing goods through the Eastern Empire, a companion named Katja, a two-dungeon pack, a Thalmor outfit, a Winterfrost dwelling, a dungeon and a unique arquebus weapon, and a house on the water called Shadetree Lodge. Underneath all of this are signed well-known modders and/or writers of older additions from the Creation Club.

The interesting thing is that creations by verified authors no longer have to stick to the story background and setting of The Elder Scrolls saga, there are no rules regarding dubbing content and localization into multiple languages ​​is not required. Unfortunately, it is also true that unless otherwise stated, all free and paid mods and addons downloaded via the Creations menu will disable your ability to earn achievements/trophies.

It should be noted that the new Creations system is currently only available in the version for Skyrim Special Edition, which probably means that the developers want to test it a bit. That’s why very likely that space will offer it sooner or later Starfield. This novelty may also be the cause of the fact that we are they haven’t heard anything about earlier for a very long time announced the next-gen update of Fallout 4. One of its strengths was supposed to be offering new Creation Club content, and the decision to overhaul the entire Creation Club undoubtedly complicated the development of the update. But at this point, the only thing that is certain is that Bethesda has complicated things in the field of Skyrim. And to everyone.