Could Steam Workshop Technically work on the 360 PS3 ? : V

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:49 am

I know there will be a lot of issues over who actually owns the rights to user made mods distributed through Steam Workshop but... Technically if someone made a mod for the PC version of Skyrim and uploads it, and console users could download it to their hard drive would the mod work with a console version of the game? I'm still doubtful it will actually happen but I’m more wondering if it's a legal, profit or technical issue that's stopping mods coming to consoles?

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:24 pm

The only thing that's stopping it is Microsoft/Sony.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 12:06 pm

The only thing that's stopping it is Microsoft/Sony.

Indeed. Last I heard they were worried about the security

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:33 pm

PS3 can run Linux. So yes it is possible, the only reason it is not done, because of pirating/hacking users, not Sony or Microsoft. Look at what happened to PC market with too much freedom.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:49 am

If by "worried about security" you mean "worried about how they can make money off it" then I agree totally.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:08 am

If by "worried about security" you mean "worried about how they can make money off it" then I agree totally.

You are correct

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:10 am

I know there will be a lot of issues over who actually owns the rights to user made mods distributed through Steam Workshop but... Technically if someone made a mod for the PC version of Skyrim and uploads it, and console users could download it to their hard drive would the mod work with a console version of the game? I'm still doubtful it will actually happen but I’m more wondering if it's a legal, profit or technical issue that's stopping mods coming to consoles?

The basic game is the same. Under the hood there is no reason why the console versions couldn't use mods. Apart from there being no loader or .ini to enable/disable the mods, there is no software reason for there being no mods on the consoles. (Excluding Steam totally here, Steam isn't required to use mods on PC either.)

The Creation Kit will never run on consoles. But there is no real reason why mods couldn't be distributed and used on the consoles. (Apart from mods that increase system usage, like for example RAM requirements)

The main show stoppers regarding mods on the console are Microsoft and Sony.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:29 pm

wasnt skyrim designed so it can run mods on the console versions

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:46 am

If by "worried about security" you mean "worried about how they can make money off it" then I agree totally.

This.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:12 am

Technically yes, it could work on the console, but can the Xbox use a keyboard and possibly mouse?

Because you`ll need them to get anything meaningful out of the CK.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:46 am

The only thing that's stopping it is Microsoft/Sony.

Yup. They don't want to enter into an issue whereby they could be held liable for a downloaded mod damaging a user's hardware. They have to have ansolute control over what is installed upon their consoles, and have a zero tolerence approach to any debug tools remaining present in a game on their console.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:00 am

Bethesda are looking into the possibility of allowing mods on consoles but it probably won't happen with Skyrim. I believe it's a legal issue and not a technical issue. (Except for those obvious security concerns)

That said, discussing console mods is against the rules on this forum but the mods have made an exception with a few threads over the past weeks and you can easily find them if you just use the search function.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:13 am

Technically yes, it could work on the console, but can the Xbox use a keyboard and possibly mouse?

Because you`ll need them to get anything meaningful out of the CK.

And more RAM.

But the OP wasn't asking about using the CK. He wasn't asking about making mods. He was asking about using mods.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:11 am

Console is too weak for modding. Doesn't have the VRAM.

There struggling to reach 30fps on low settings (compared to PC ultra) so adding additional texture mods would not work. Perhaps with the next gen of consoles but considering the next GPU in the Xbox 720 is an old-gen laughable Radeon 6670 I wouldn't hold your breath.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 2:16 am

Giving users any kind of control of the interior = instant hack everything. Microsoft/Sony cannot rely on Bethesda or any other 3rd party for making sure mods dont get access to hardware. This would be quite a stupid move. The first mod which will be made is an interface using Skyrim to gain access to hardware. This is approximately how bluray copy protection was hacked, users simply looked up how a bluray player software communicated with hardware. Took them about 2 seconds to hack.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:10 pm

Imagine if a bunch of kids installed a bunch of those "female enhancement" mods on a console; it'll make national news like its hot coffee all over again :laugh:

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 11:57 am

Editors use a lot of RAM and system resources. RAM is the main weak point of consoles because of the lack of it.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 4:17 pm

Console is too weak for modding. Doesn't have the VRAM.

There struggling to reach 30fps on low settings (compared to PC ultra) so adding additional texture mods would not work. Perhaps with the next gen of consoles but considering the next GPU in the Xbox 720 is an old-gen laughable Radeon 6670 I wouldn't hold your breath.

And mods only add bigger textures? How long have you been around Elder Scrolls mods?

There's plenty types of mods that have little impact on performance. Like houses, additional armors/weapons/clothing with reasonable texture sizes and polygon counts, additional quests, reworked dialogue, replaced creatures, etc, etc.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 2:40 am

All this fuss from companies like microsoft and sony about security makes me laugh. The sad fact about the age we live in is that for every bit of security you put in someone will break it. The only thing you can hope to do is make it harder for em but you can never stop em

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:26 pm

wasnt skyrim designed so it can run mods on the console versions

DLC is basically huge mods at least on PC, I assume they are the same on console, first main game is loaded, then the mods are loaded and they add or change the game, last the savegame who actually is almost an mod itself.
You would need an program who downloaded and installed mods, it also had to have options to disable and delete mods.
None of this is very hard.

main issue with random mods is that they are designed for pc and might be to demanding for consoles, not only models who add lots of new armor with high resolution textures but also things like huge dungeons with lots of enemies.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:36 pm

All this fuss from companies like microsoft and sony about security makes me laugh. The sad fact about the age we live in is that for every bit of security you put in someone will break it. The only thing you can hope to do is make it harder for em but you can never stop em

You wouldn't be laughing if you downloaded a mod for your PS3 and it broke your game

No the security issue is real and it's going to be very difficult for Bethesda to solve the problem.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:35 am

You wouldn't be laughing if you downloaded a mod for your PS3 and it broke your game :wink:

No the security issue is real and it's going to be very difficult for Bethesda to solve the problem.

No don't get me wrong i don't condone any of that stuff. Its just a sad fact these days that you can do whatever you like you will never be 100% secure

If you look how many people have chipped their consoles to play illegal copies of games and run other operating systems. I have a feeling that with some work someone would be able to make it possible to make mods for consoles

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 2:13 am

No don't get me wrong i don't condone any of that stuff. Its just a sad fact these days that you can do whatever you like you will never be 100% secure

That's true, but there are always ways to minimize the risk.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:05 am

You wouldn't be laughing if you downloaded a mod for your PS3 and it broke your game

If you'd have the ability to disable the mod same as the ability to enable it, then fixing that would be really easy.

I'm a PC gamer and into modding. I've often encountered mods that "broke" things. And the fix was always as easy as just tossing the mod into the trash can.

» Sat Jun 09, 2012 8:46 am

If you'd have the ability to disable the mod same as the ability to enable it, then fixing that would be really easy. :wink:

I'm a PC gamer and into modding. I've often encountered mods that "broke" things. And the fix was always as easy as just tossing the mod into the trash can.

Mods that only modify in-game objects (and are distributed as a single file with no new textures or meshes) are relatively harmless. But it's possible to inject malicious code into nearly any file so content mods are probably what Bethesda is afraid of.