Skyrim PC Update Brings Welcome Mod Improvements

Bethesda has announced the details of a new update for the PC version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This update is centered around the game's mod support, and more specifically, addressing some old Steam Workshop quirks.

The changes are few in number, but Skyrim mod users will be pleased. First, the Creation Kit no longer has a file size limit for Steam Workshop mods. This means you'll no longer have to venture outside of Steam for mods larger than 100 MB, as has been the case since Skyrim was released in 2011. This could also make installation of those larger mods easier, as Steam Workshop typically handles the entire process.

Also changed is the way mods are downloaded. You'll no longer need to open up the Skyrim launcher in order to begin mod downloads; everything will be handled right through Steam. In other words, this should do away with those times you take a few weeks (or months, or years) off from the game, open it up, and find that dozens of mod updates need to be downloaded because the Steam client wasn't allowed to manage them. It's an annoyance I know that I've dealt with more than once.

Before this update is released to the masses, it's being beta tested "this week," according to the Bethesda blog. You can access the beta updates for yourself by following the steps below.

• Log into Steam
• Click on your game Library.
• Right click on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and select Properties.
• Click on the Betas tab, and from the drop down select beta – Skyrim Beta
• Next from Library, access Tools from the drop down.
• Right click on Creation Kit and select Properties.
• Click on the Betas tab, and from the drop down select beta – Creation Kit Beta
• Steam will now restart. After Steam restarts, Skyrim will be updated to the Beta version currently available.

If you're new to the world of Skyrim modding, check out GameSpot's Top 5 Skyrim Mods video series. You can find the latest episode below.