WEB EXCLUSIVE

Bethesda, the creators of Elder Scrolls and Fallout series, announced that their latest games, Fallout 4 and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition, would be able to support mods for all platforms–including consoles. Yes, mods!

The long-awaited feature that console users wanted is now available for Xbox One. Sony does not support the new feature of mods for their PlayStation 4 (PS4). So if you own a PS4 like I do, you might be a little disappointed.

I’m a big fan of Skyrim, and when Bethesda made an announcement stating that they were re-mastering it and adding mods, I was thrilled. Mods are player-created content that can be downloaded and installed in the game to increase the game play, meaning that anyone can make additional content, like a downloadable content (DLC) and have millions of players play it for free.

Mods have been around for a long time, but they have been exclusive to PC players. Bethesda changed that when they added console mods, which can change the very idea of gaming today. Mods enhance the gaming experience, from graphic enhancements to gameplay. As of right now, Sony won’t allow these mods on the PS4, but Microsoft said that the Xbox One and future consoles would be able to support and allow these mods.

Bethesda posted an update on their website, addressing the issue.

“After months of discussion with Sony, we regret to say that while we have long been ready to offer mod support on PlayStation 4, Sony has informed us they will not approve user mods the way they should work: where users can do anything they want for either Fallout 4 or Skyrim Special Edition.

Like you, we are disappointed by Sony’s decision given the considerable time and effort we have put into this project, and the amount of time our fans have waited for mod support to arrive. We consider this an important initiative and we hope to find other ways user mods can be available for our PlayStation audience. However, until Sony will allow us to offer proper mod support for PS4, that content for Fallout 4 and Skyrim on PlayStation 4 will not be available.

We will provide an update if and when this situation changes.”

With the PS4 Pro and Slim (two new Sony consoles) coming soon, I don’t think many people will buy them, due to the fact that future games will most likely have mod support, but these consoles won’t. Players will want to invest in a system that supports more content that they’re paying for, and that means they will buy a PC or Xbox. Sony may lose profit because of this.

I hope that Sony comes to terms with Bethesda and agree to support mods on PlayStation consoles. But, with or without mods, I will be still buying Skyrim, as it is my favorite game.