What exactly can cause Script errors within a save game? : V

» Fri Jul 06, 2012 7:03 am

So, I've scoured the Nexus and Steam workshop for months and have finally compiled a sizable list of mods that I want to keep for good, that all manage to work together peacefully. Things that either subtly tweak or enhance the main game, without drastically changing it. Also making it much prettier & more immersive to my own taste. The problem is longevity and potential scripting errors. I want to start a LONG playthrough that I will keep through the entierty of my Skyrim gaming lifetime, potentially putting over 200 hours onto it. Go everywhere and doing everything there is to do, including when DLC comes out.

I like to keep my mods up to date, as well as the offical patch. But this can create orphaned scripts that are baked into your save game. So besides just plain bad scripting, what can cause these errors? Because I would like to both maintain my mods if possible, and play through the game without any ill-effects in the long term.

Does changing your load order create errors? If I update a mod and recieve a in game message saying that there is missing data, will there be scripting errors? How can I both keep my mods, add new ones, and not have to worry about this? I know I could just play with only texture replacers, or avoid mods that use scripts altogether, but that's no fun. I could also just refuse to update mods after I start playing, but I'm an update-aholic, and must keep everything at the latest version... It's a bad habit.

Also, there are future concerns with compatibility with future DLC, and mods needing to be updated to accomidate the additional features, such as Dawnguard *finally* adding arrow crafting to game.

Do I just put Skyrim down until the Game of the Year edition is out? :confused:

» Fri Jul 06, 2012 9:34 am

Mostly they occur when you uninstall a mod with scripts, this is a flaw on Bethesda's part. If they occur while the mod is still installed (and has not been upgraded) then it is the author's fault or possibly even a combination of several author's faults (and I could make an argument the user's fault as well) in the case of conflict.

Here's the skinny directly from Bethesda

When you play Skyrim with a mod, in most cases, the new data for the mod will be written into any new saved games you create. For example, if you play Skyrim with Mod X and create a save, the next time you load that save, the game will expect Mod X to also be loaded. If you no longer want to play Skyrim with Mod X, it is best to unload Mod X (by unchecking the plugin under Data Files in your Skyrim launcher) and loading a save that does not require Mod X, usually an older save or a backed up save.

Source is http://www.bethblog.com/2012/02/07/skyrim-mod-troubleshooting-best-practices/ (you need to verify age and then click on this a second time :tongue:

for the link to work).