Despite the vastness and versatility of the game world of TES: Skyrim, the interface of the PC version is no different from the console version, which is one big minus.
About Skyrim SkyUI, letâs say a word
Bethesda company, colloquially called âArborâ, which gave birth to such masterpieces as Fallout, Call of Duty, was in no hurry to realize the idea of ââimproving the game interface for the PC version of the game promised in one of the interviews, but stopped at the cross mutual plagiarism of its own projects.
A group of mod-makers decided not to wait for the manna from heaven, and the SkyUI global mod SkyUI saw the light. The entire inventory management system has undergone a complete overhaul.
- The categorization of objects is now displayed in the form of icons, rather than the boring familiar gray inscriptions.
- Typing items is also represented by convenient shortcuts.
- Fonts are optimized and reduced, which allows you to cover more items in your inventory.
- Prescribed additional characteristics of items in the inventory.
- Added the ability to select and organize according to the indicators of objects.
- Enchanted items, poisoned swords and arrows, as well as stolen items now have separate marks for easy search in the inventory.
- The ability to search for a specific thing by name (only in the English version of Skyrim SkyUI). Very convenient moment. Perhaps this item is the only difference between SkyUI for Skyrim in Russian from its English counterpart.
- The ability to customize the interface based on the screen resolution of the player has been worked out.
Script expander
In order for SkyUI mods (and not only) to function correctly, a so-called script expander called Skyrim Script Extender (abbreviated SKSE) has been developed. When downloading a new mod from the Internet, you must pay attention to the requirements. Most often, the aforementioned SKSE is required for correct operation.
Installation is extremely simple: just copy the plugin to the root directory and run. All subsequent mods must be installed through it, and after that launch Skyrim. SkyUI for 1.9.32.0 * is the most current version for the correct operation of both the plugin and mods. As you can see, nothing complicated.
When selecting various updates, it is necessary to look for the SkyUI âSkyrimâ mods, because they are made taking into account the presence of the indicated modifications. The absence of the SkyUI and SKSE component in the modification code can lead to incorrect game operation. When starting up, a message will appear notifying that there are a number of necessary components for the correct functioning. This indicates not only the removal of some components, but also the installation of an outdated mod that did not provide for the use of SkyUI and a script expander.
"Skyrim." Mod SkyUI 4.1. Pros and cons
Version 4.1 was released at the end of 2011 and is considered the very âsolid" mod that players were waiting for. With the elimination of many errors, bugs and freezes.
Creating SkyUI 4.1, like any other mod, the developers aimed at optimizing the existing game interface, rather than re-creating it from the very beginning. For example, a very important innovation was the appointment of hot keys not only for each weapon, but for entire sets.
There was a menu for trade and containers (boxes, bags and other items):
- There are two tabs that show the contents of the merchant and the player. The total weight of the items being carried is displayed.
- The display of some inventory keys has been adjusted.
- Manual formatting of item names is provided.
- A bug with a gamepad was fixed, which consisted in choosing the wrong subject when scrolling.
- The spell menu has also undergone changes, it is now located in the lower left corner, is a set of intuitive icons according to schools of magic. It is possible to arrange spells by the level of required magic, damage, level and rollback time.
- The map menu allows you to search among open locations, and the âfavoritesâ function still allows you to access the registry of the most necessary things with a single keystroke.
According to player reviews, there were errors in displaying enchanted items: a mark indicating the enchantment of a weapon was present only if there was a charge in the weapon. In the absence of charges, the mark was not displayed.
To install, the game version 1.9 and higher was required, as well as the presence of SKSE.
Continuation of tradition
âSkyrim SkyUI 5.1â was implemented closer to the end of 2015. It differs from the previous version:
- The presence of additional icons indicating books (read or not).
- It is in this version that the aforementioned search by item name is implemented (as modmakers say, search adjustments for the Russian version are also not far off).
- The ability to configure the interface for playing on multiple monitors has been developed: icons and menu columns can be moved to places convenient for the player.
- Columns can be hidden and returned again.
- Added a number of settings for entering text in the mods configuration menu.
- Corrected the structure in the alchemy menu, incorrectly displaying a list of effects.
- Also, a bug was partially corrected, incorrectly displaying the required level of the required spirit for completely unfilled soul stones. The developers announced the final correction of this bug on the release of the new SKSE.
For the successful functioning of the game and an unforgettable experience of traveling through the expanses of the terrain called Skyrim, SkyUI 5.1 requires:
- Availability of SKSE version 1.7.3 or higher.
- Game versions 1.9.32 or higher.
Bugs and useful tips
According to the established trend, each player tries to bring the game as close as possible to the most desired form. It is thanks to this that the developers of numerous mods work tirelessly. However, do not forget that "the game is not rubber." According to Internet guides, the game has its own limit. In other words, if you install a huge number of mods, the contents of the memory will be full, which will lead to damage to the save files. When loaded, the script lines will âfall outâ (literally) on the screen.
It can be eliminated very simply: itâs enough not to get involved in âwrappingâ the mods of your favorite game.
Another important, but well-known mistake of a global nature, which has already become a tradition of all games from Bethesda, is the so-called crashes. The problem is observed in 90% of players, but we canât say that this is the norm. There are many versions of the occurrence of this problem: from template stamping of games by developers to the individual settings of each playerâs personal computer. Each opinion about the causes of the bug has its own weight, but not every claims to be true.
For the most part, it is solved using the Skyrim Memory Patch patch.
Tips for fashion lovers
Before installing mods, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the contents of the ReadMe file. If something is not clear in the description, it is better not to install it.
Do not get involved in installing mods, it is better to choose the most necessary and most important.
If there is no translation of the add-on, it is advisable to download a fan translation, there are very high-quality versions.
During the game, it is not recommended to change the order of the mods or delete those, since after loading the saves there may be problems with the game due to the fact that the script expander will request the missing modifications in which the scripts were provided. Before âwrappingâ the game with mods, it is recommended to save the configurations in a separate folder, thus creating a return point. If the game is still spoiled by mods, it is better to resort to a recovery point.
If official add-ons are installed (Dragonborn, Dawnguard or Hearthfire), you should look for mods that include those.
To install some modifications, a special mod manager is required, without it the game will not work correctly.
Several nuances when installing modifications
It is not recommended to install mods aimed at changing the same things in the game. This will lead to the "layering" of one mod to another, as a result of the correct functioning of the game you have to forget.
The installation manager is usually stored in the fomod folder. If the archive contains this folder, this is a hint of how to install the mod.
And yet, how to install SkyUI on Skyrim? Most mods are installed in the Skyrim \ Data folder. In any case, it is advisable to thoroughly study the description in the readme file, especially if the mod needs to be installed in some other.
If you canât connect the plugin (esp / esm) either through the âFilesâ in the launcher or through the mod manager, it is recommended to open the SkyrimPrefs.ini file with notepad and write the line bEnableFileSelection = 1 in the [Laubcher] section.
When downloading mods, you should pay attention to the RU mark, as Russian-speaking modes or cracks indicate.
You should understand the structure of the game files:
- The Meshes folder contains the models used in the game.
- Scripts - here are the scripts used in mods.
- The SKSE section contains archive files of modifications developed for the script expander.
- The Sound folder contains the sounds of nature and everything that can make a sound in the game. Yes, there are separate mods that provide for changing the soundtrack in the game.
- Strings - documents containing the texts of the game or mods.
- The Textures folder stores graphic textures. There are a number of global modifications that involve image processing, called "retexture modes."
- The Video directory contains videos and screensavers of the game.
Conclusion
It should be noted that in order to enjoy the game wrapped in mods, you need to figure out how it all works and what is required for installation. The requirements for the game are as follows:
- Availability of a licensed version of Skyrim and official add-ons: Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn.
- The game version must be 1.9.32 or higher.
- The presence of a mod manager (different mod makers offer different versions of these programs, which one to use is for the player to choose).
- It is advisable to have software that detects the presence of incompatible mods and broken plugins (usually LOOT or BOSS are used).
- Of course, SKSE script expander.
- And, of course, a common understanding of the meanings and functions of each installed mod.
Do not forget that a large number of mods will lead to increased system requirements. Therefore, if suddenly the game began to freeze in those places where this was not previously observed, you should think about optimizing the game process according to the capabilities of a personal computer. Because of this, a number of players still prefer the classic version of the game than using the Skyrim SkyUI.