How to Disable the Splash Screens in XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2

Annoyed by the unskippable startup movies of XCOM: Enemy Unknown you have to watch and wait through every time?

Me too. Here's easy step-by-step instructions on how to disable the splash screens on PC and Windows.

Note: Same kind of change applies to XCOM 2 and many other Unreal-engine based games, whether the splash screens can be skipped or not.

How to Disable the Startup Movies in XCOM 2 and XCOM: Enemy Unknown

1. Find the XComEngine.ini file

By default (Replace %USERNAME% with your username):

XCOM:
C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\My Games\XCOM - Enemy Unknown\XComGame\Config\XComEngine.ini

XCOM 2:
C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\My Games\XCOM2\XComGame\Config\XComEngine.ini

or

Find the XCOM 2 or XCOM - Enemy Unknown folder in the Documents -folder (Documents under Libraries)

By default:

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\My Games\

And in there, the 'XCOM - Enemy Unknown' or XCOM2 -folder.

In the *\XCOM - Enemy Unknown\XComGame\Config\ folder, you'll find the XComEngine.ini

2. Backup XComEngine.ini

Take a copy of XComEngine.ini, and
Rename the copy to XComEngine.ini_org or similar as a backup.

3. Edit XComEngine.ini

Comment (with semi-colon ;) or delete StartupMovies lines
You can leave 'StartupMovies=Black' in place

XCOM: EU

Find lines:

StartupMovies=Logo_2KFiraxis
StartupMovies=UE3TechLogo
StartupMovies=LogoLegal_PCConsole
StartupMovies=1280x720_Black

Delete the lines or comment them out (with semi-colon ;) like this:

;StartupMovies=Logo_2KFiraxis
;StartupMovies=UE3TechLogo
;StartupMovies=LogoLegal_PCConsole
;StartupMovies=1280x720_Black

(The game might delete the commented lines from the file on startup, thus - ALWAYS BACKUP)

XCOM 2

StartupMovies=X2_2KFXS_Logos
StartupMovies=X2_Logo
StartupMovies=UE3TechLogo_XC2
StartupMovies=XC2_LegalScreen

Delete the lines or comment them out (with semi-colon ;) like this:

;StartupMovies=X2_2KFXS_Logos
;StartupMovies=X2_Logo
;StartupMovies=UE3TechLogo_XC2
;StartupMovies=XC2_LegalScreen

(The game might delete the commented lines from the file on startup, thus - ALWAYS BACKUP)

4. Save XComEngine.ini

Save the XComEngine.ini file.

5. Start the game

Start the game eand you'll be in the main menu in seconds without the unskippable splash screens.

Want to learn how to disable the splash screens for Dishonored as well? Click here.

How to Disable the Splash Screens in Dishonored

Annoyed by the unskippable startup movies of Dishonored you have to watch and wait through every time?

Me too. Here's easy step-by-step instructions on how to disable the splash screens on PC and Windows..

How to Disable the Startup Movies in Dishonored

1. Find the DishonoredEngine.ini file

Find the Dishonored folder in the Documents -folder

By default:

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\My Games\

And in there, the Dishonored folder.

In the *\Dishonored\DishonoredGame\Config\ folder, you'll find the DishonoredEngine.ini

By default:

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\My Games\Dishonored\DishonoredGame\Config\DishonoredEngine.ini

2. Backup DishonoredEngine.ini

Take a copy of DishonoredEngine.ini, and
rename it to DishonoredEngine.ini_org or similar as a backup.

3. Edit DishonoredEngine.ini

Find lines:

StartupMovies=Black_266ms
StartupMovies=ZenimaxLegal
StartupMovies=ZenimaxLegalFR
StartupMovies=LogoBethesda
StartupMovies=LogoArkane
StartupMovies=UE3_logo
StartupMovies=Legal
StartupMovies=Loading

Delete the lines or comment them out:

;StartupMovies=Black_266ms
;StartupMovies=ZenimaxLegal
;StartupMovies=ZenimaxLegalFR
;StartupMovies=LogoBethesda
;StartupMovies=LogoArkane
;StartupMovies=UE3_logo
;StartupMovies=Legal
;StartupMovies=Loading

(The game might delete the commented lines from the file on startup, thus - ALWAYS BACKUP)

4. Save DishonoredEngine.ini

5. Start the game and you'll be in the main menu in seconds without the unskippable splash screens.

Want to learn how to disable the splash screens for XCOM: Enemy Unknown as well? Click here.

Dwarf Fortress Tutorial (Video Series)

Beginner's Guide to Dwarf Fortress [DF2012]: Step-by-step tutorial series on how to get started in the Fortress Mode, how to build your first fortress and how to help your dwarves survive.

This Dwarf Fortress video tutorial series follows along as I build an example fortress, showing what to do and how to do it. The series is meant for new Dwarf Fortress players, but I hope it'll be useful for all DF players, new and experienced alike.

I recommend using these video tutorials in conjunction with the Dwarf Fortress Wiki. You'll learn the basics through the videos and can follow along, and then find additional information from the wiki.

PLAYLIST (all videos in this tutorial series): Dwarf Fortress Video Tutorial [DF2012]

DOWNLOAD the tutorial fortress http://dffd.wimbli.com/file.php?id=6891

How to Install Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress Tutorial, Part 1: Downloading and Installing (Lazy Newb Pack). How to Get and Install Dwarf Fortress (DF/tutorial)

Dwarf Fortress Video Tutorial

Playlist (all videos):



Watch on YouTube: Dwarf Fortress Tutorial 2012

LINKS AND REFERENCES

Game: DWARF FORTRESS - free & awesome

Game version: 0.34.11 (DF2012)
Graphics package: Phoebus' Graphic Set 0.34.11v00

Installation package: Lazy Newb Pack. See the Part 1 of this tutorial series for the Download and Installation Guide.

Other Utilities: splintermind-attributes is a Dwarf Therapist clone that displays the exact numeric attributes of the dwarves.

DF2012:Installation (Dwarf Fortress Wiki)
DF2012:Quickstart guide (Dwarf Fortress Wiki)
DF2012:Dwarf fortress mode (reference, e.g. controls)

Let's Play Dishonored

Let's Play Dishonored: Slow-paced Dishonored gameplay.

I'll try to play this Dishonored playthrough stealthily, if only possible, and avoid killing too many people (non-lethal approach). I won't reload unless I die, so if things take the wrong turn, I'll try to get myself out of it and live with whatever the game throws at me.

This let's play is BLIND (I haven't played the game before and don't know what to expect, apart from test run through the prologue and mission 1)


Played, recorded and uploaded on PC, max graphics and 1920x1080. All videos on the playlist are uploaded with high quality 1080p Full HD.

Let's Play Dishonored, Part 1

Watch in HD via YouTube...

Let's Play Dishonored, Part 1

Below, you can find all the videos on this LP.

About Dishonored

Dishonored, set against the backdrop of the city of Dunwall and the rat plague, follows the story of Corvo Attano, Lord Protector - a royal bodyguard, falsely accused of murdering the Empress and ultimately imprisoned.

Driven by revenge, Corvo escapes from his confinement six months later, and becomes an infamous assassin as he strives to avenge his, and the Empress', fate.

Dishonored is a first-person stealth action video game that is developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It's available on PS3, Xbox 360, & PC 2012. http://www.dishonored.com/

Let's Play Dishonored Playlist

Watch in HD via YouTube...

See the full show: Let's Play Dishonored
Playlist (all episodes): Let's Play Dishonored

Let's Play Fallout 3

Let's Play Fallout 3, one of my favorite games of all time, on a PC and with a whole lot of mods.

In this slow-paced roleplay, I take the role of Albert, a young Vault Dweller interested in working and tinkering on mechanical things more than anything else, who is forced to leave and enter the Capital Wasteland after spending 19 years - his whole life - in the safety of Vault 101.

Let's Roleplay Fallout 3, Part 1

Watch in HD via YouTube...

Let's Play Fallout 3 [Roleplay], Part 1
Below, you can find all the videos on this LP.

Let's Play Fallout 3 Playlist

Watch in HD via YouTube...

See the full show: Let's Play Fallout 3 [Roleplay]
Playlist (all episodes): Let's Play Fallout 3


Let's Play Fallout 3 [Roleplay] w/ Zemalf [HD] [1080p]

Slow-paced roleplay in the Capital Wasteland.

This series is *not* Dead is Dead. I'm improvising Albert's story as I play. I haven't planned beforehand what kind of man he'll become. Albert's journey and destiny will unfold as the let's play goes on.
I don't know if I'll do DLCs, I don't know if I do the main story, I don't know anything of that yet, because the future's not set.

Played and recorded on PC. Using a lot of mods, including FWE, MMM, EVE, NMCs textures, etc. Maxed out graphics on 1920x1080 resolution with additional tweaks via the ini-files. All videos on the playlist are uploaded with high quality 1080p Full HD.

Fallout 3 is developed and published by Bethesda Softworks / Bethesda Game Studios. It's available on PS3, Xbox 360 & PC 2008. http://fallout.bethsoft.com/

MODS

• FWE - FO3 Wanderers Edition
• MMM - Marts Mutant Mod
• EVE - Energy Visuals Enhanced
• DarNified UI F3
• Immersive HUD - iHUD
• Fellout
• Enhanced Weather - Rain and Snow
• IMCN - Imps More Complex Needs
• The D.C. Interiors Project
• A World Of Pain for Fallout 3 AWOP4FO3 Megaton Tweaks
• Crowded Cities v2
• Ambient Wasteland 2
• NMCs Texture Pack for FO3
• Fallout 3 Redesigned - Formerly Project Beauty HD
• CINEMATECH - Film Grains and Styles
• IMAGINATOR - Visual Control Device
• DYNAVISION - Dynamic Depth of Field
• and many more!

All the mods I use are listed in Zemalf's Fallout 3 Mod List

Zemalf's Embark Profile (Dwarf Fortress Tutorial)

Here's my embark profile used in my Dwarf Fortress Tutorial series.

Copy the text below to the end of embark_profiles.txt in \data\init\ of your Dwarf Fortress profile (text after [PROFILE] and up to, but not including the '###')

Or get it here: http://pastebin.com/KEq7ABy6 if the syntax below goes crazy.

[PROFILE]
 [TITLE:ZEMALFS TUT(Miner - Woodcut - Mason - Carpntr/Doc - Mech/Broker - 2Farm)]
 [SKILL:1:MECHANICS:5]
 [SKILL:1:PERSUASION:1]
 [SKILL:1:NEGOTIATION:1]
 [SKILL:1:JUDGING_INTENT:1]
 [SKILL:1:APPRAISAL:2]
 [SKILL:2:MINING:5]
 [SKILL:2:FORGE_WEAPON:5]
 [SKILL:3:BREWING:5]
 [SKILL:3:PLANT:5]
 [SKILL:4:COOK:5]
 [SKILL:4:PLANT:5]
 [SKILL:5:WOODCUTTING:5]
 [SKILL:5:FORGE_ARMOR:5]
 [SKILL:6:CARPENTRY:4]
 [SKILL:6:DRESS_WOUNDS:1]
 [SKILL:6:DIAGNOSE:2]
 [SKILL:6:SURGERY:1]
 [SKILL:6:SET_BONE:1]
 [SKILL:6:SUTURE:1]
 [SKILL:7:MASONRY:5]
 [SKILL:7:DESIGNBUILDING:5]
 [ITEM:2:WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_PICK:INORGANIC:COPPER]
 [ITEM:1:WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_AXE_BATTLE:INORGANIC:COPPER]
 [ITEM:1:WEAPON:ITEM_WEAPON_CROSSBOW:INORGANIC:COPPER]
 [ITEM:10:AMMO:ITEM_AMMO_BOLTS:INORGANIC:COPPER]
 [ITEM:1:QUIVER:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:COW:LEATHER]
 [ITEM:1:DRINK:NONE:PLANT_MAT:MUSHROOM_HELMET_PLUMP:DRINK]
 [ITEM:6:DRINK:NONE:PLANT_MAT:GRASS_TAIL_PIG:DRINK]
 [ITEM:6:DRINK:NONE:PLANT_MAT:GRASS_WHEAT_CAVE:DRINK]
 [ITEM:6:DRINK:NONE:PLANT_MAT:POD_SWEET:DRINK]
 [ITEM:11:PLANT:NONE:PLANT_MAT:MUSHROOM_HELMET_PLUMP:STRUCTURAL]
 [ITEM:10:SEEDS:NONE:PLANT_MAT:MUSHROOM_HELMET_PLUMP:SEED]
 [ITEM:10:SEEDS:NONE:PLANT_MAT:GRASS_TAIL_PIG:SEED]
 [ITEM:10:SEEDS:NONE:PLANT_MAT:GRASS_WHEAT_CAVE:SEED]
 [ITEM:10:SEEDS:NONE:PLANT_MAT:POD_SWEET:SEED]
 [ITEM:10:SEEDS:NONE:PLANT_MAT:BUSH_QUARRY:SEED]
 [ITEM:5:SEEDS:NONE:PLANT_MAT:MUSHROOM_CUP_DIMPLE:SEED]
 [ITEM:9:WOOD:NONE:PLANT_MAT:TOWER_CAP:WOOD]
 [ITEM:1:ANVIL:NONE:INORGANIC:IRON]
 [ITEM:2:BOULDER:NONE:INORGANIC:MAGNETITE]
 [ITEM:2:BOULDER:NONE:INORGANIC:LIMESTONE]
 [ITEM:3:BOULDER:NONE:INORGANIC:MICROCLINE]
 [ITEM:5:THREAD:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:SPIDER_CAVE:SILK]
 [ITEM:5:POWDER_MISC:NONE:INORGANIC:PLASTER]
 [ITEM:1:POWDER_MISC:NONE:INORGANIC:SAND_TAN]
 [ITEM:1:POWDER_MISC:NONE:INORGANIC:SAND_YELLOW]
 [ITEM:1:POWDER_MISC:NONE:INORGANIC:SAND_WHITE]
 [ITEM:1:POWDER_MISC:NONE:INORGANIC:SAND_BLACK]
 [ITEM:1:POWDER_MISC:NONE:INORGANIC:SAND_RED]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:KANGAROO:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:HORSE:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:DONKEY:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:COW:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:SHEEP:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:PIG:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:GOAT:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:WATER_BUFFALO:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:REINDEER:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:YAK:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:LLAMA:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:ALPACA:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:LIQUID_MISC:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:CAMEL_2_HUMP:MILK]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:HARE:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:HORSE:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:CHINCHILLA:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:GOAT_MOUNTAIN:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:POND_GRABBER:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:COW:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:SHEEP:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:PIG:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:GOAT:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_CHICKEN:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:CAVY:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_DUCK:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:WATER_BUFFALO:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:REINDEER:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_GOOSE:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:YAK:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:LLAMA:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:ALPACA:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_GUINEAFOWL:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_PEAFOWL_BLUE:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_TURKEY:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:RABBIT:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:RACCOON:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:COATI:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:KINGSNAKE:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:WILD_BOAR:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:CHIPMUNK:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:KOALA:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:RAT:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:CAMEL_2_HUMP:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:DEER:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:MOOSE:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:FOX:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:LIZARD:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:WOMBAT:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:KANGAROO:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BADGER:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:WEASEL:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:SKUNK:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:HEDGEHOG:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_KESTREL:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_EMU:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_OWL_BARN:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_RAVEN:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_CROW:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:BIRD_FALCON_PEREGRINE:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:TOAD:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:MEAT:NONE:CREATURE_MAT:DONKEY:MUSCLE]
 [ITEM:1:FISH:NONE:LOBSTER_CAVE:FEMALE]
 [ITEM:1:FISH:NONE:FISH_CAVE:FEMALE]
 [ITEM:1:FISH:NONE:POND_TURTLE:MALE]
 [ITEM:1:FISH:NONE:FISH_LUNGFISH:MALE]
 [PET:1:DOG:FEMALE:STANDARD]
 [PET:1:DOG:FEMALE:TRAINED_HUNTER]
 [PET:1:DOG:MALE:STANDARD]
 [PET:2:CAT:FEMALE:STANDARD]
 [PET:1:CAT:MALE:STANDARD]
 [PET:7:BIRD_TURKEY:FEMALE:STANDARD]
 [PET:2:BIRD_TURKEY:MALE:STANDARD]

### (don't copy this anymore)

Remember that the dwarven civilization you chose might not have all the same items. If you're missing meats, just pick any 2P meats you find to get up to 50 again and the same thing for milk.

I recommend setting the dwarf starting skills based on the dwarf attributes, but if you're a new player, just go with it.

To make things easier, use the awesome Dwarf Therapist clone: splintermind-attributes - if you like Dwarf Therapist, you will *LOVE* this one. splintermind-attributes is able to connect to DF during embark profile setting (unlike "normal" Dwarf Therapist), seeing the exact numeric values of the attributes (again, something DT cannot) + it has automatic "ranking" based on configurable roles (with default ones good to go based on the Attributes page of the Wiki).

Zemalf's Fallout 3 Mod List

Here's a list of Fallout 3 mods I'm using at the moment. This is also the mod setup I'm using on my Let's Play Fallout 3 on YouTube. Check the 'Fallout 3 LP' playlist out if you want to see these mods in action as I roleplay through F3.

Fallout 3 Mods I Use

The are many Fallout 3 mod lists. This one is mine.

I use mods to make F3 look better, make the game more challenging with the focus on roleplaying, realism and immersion, and to add new things to the game for me to use, discover and explore.

The list is quite long, so check out the short "must-have Fallout 3 mod list" at the end of the post for what I think are the best Fallout 3 mods (and thus, would always install when playing).

Are you new to modding, modding Fallout 3 for the first time or otherwise need some advice on installing mods? Click here to read some instructions first.

Latest Update: May 2013.

BASE AND UTILITY MODS

Nexus Mod Manager
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/modmanager/
- OK, not a mod, but this is the one I use to manage and install mods.

BOSS
- BOSS = A plugin load order optimiser for Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas and some other games too. - Sorts your mod load order (to make the mods work as intended). Use it. - 97% of the time, BOSS will handle your load order and you don't have to do anything.

Fallout Script Extender (FOSE)
http://fose.silverlock.org/

ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/944
- Must for many mods/textures to work

CASM (Cipscis' Automatic Save Manager)
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/3729
- Replaces Fallout 3's saving system so that you no longer have to rely on only a single autosave or quicksave to fall back on

Fallout Stutter Remover
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/8886
- Smoother gameplay and FPS

Large Address Aware Enabler for FO3
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/6510
- helps with crashing and performance issues with Fallout 3, particularly when using my larger texture packs.

^ Back to the Top

MAJOR MODS

FWE - FO3 Wanderers Edition
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/2761
http://sites.google.com/site/fo3wanderersedition/home
- Major overhaul mod that tweaks most of the underlying game mechanics, character development, combat, etc and adds new features to the game.

MMM - Marts Mutant Mod - RC 62
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/3211
- Adds a huge range of diversity to creatures and NPCs in the Fallout 3 world as well as adding new and unique creatures and NPCs to encounter.

EVE - Energy Visuals Enhanced
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/8340
- Overhaul of energy weapons and explosions
- Assets from EVE itself, the rest from the Paradox Ignition merge version of EVE (a must if you choose Blackened over FOIP below)

WMK - Weapon Mod Kits
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/3388
- Weapon Modification Kits - or 'Weapon Mod Kits' - allow you to use standard Workbenches to modify your favourite firearms with a range of handy attachments like laser sights, scopes, silencers and extended magazines.
- Installing both RMK and RH_Ironsights is not for the faint-hearted. Tricky to get working with RH_Ironsights, with FWE and EVE in the mix. I used this in my LP for parts 1-50, and again from part 144 onward.

Blackened
- Blackened is a compilation of patches meant to improve compatibility between many of the bigger and/or more popular overhaul mods available for Fallout 3. Sadly, Blackened doesn't have a patch for WMK with FWE+MMM+EVE combo.
- http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/18173
- I use the 'Fallout Wanderers Edition + Martigen’s Mutant Mod + Energy Visuals Enhanced (Paradox Ignition merge) + Project Beauty' combo patch (one file vs 4-5 of FOIP, plus Blackened is more up-to-date)
- Compatible with Fallout Remastered (FOIP is not)
- NOT compatible with IMCN. Either create/find a patch (I created my own), or tweak load order and have IMCN load after this.

FOIP - Fallout Interoperability Program - FOIP
- http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/4968
- The Fallout Interoperability Program (FOIP) is a collective effort by a number of modders to improve compatibility between many of Fallout's major mods. (e.g. FWE, MMM, EVE, WMK, Project Beauty)
- After I started using Blackened, I continued to use FOIP's FWE+WMK patch, but nothing else. Not sure if it's good or required, or will it cause more problems than not, but it seemed to help with some issues when running WMK and RH_Ironsights.

^ Back to the Top

FIXES

FireLightFix
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/3660
- Adds light effects of some fires, which Bethesda skipped.

Fallout Remastered
- http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/16928
- Using almost everything = The Master Package and the patches for FWE, MMM, EVE, RH_Ironsights, Realistic Interior Lighting, Fellout and Project Beauty.
- I stopped using Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch and Error Corrections - Reduce CTD when I installed Fallout Remastered, around Part 64 of my LP, because the same fixes, plus better and newer ones are in the Remastered.
- Note 1: I did run into some problems with Fallout Remastered, so it is not perfect. This is not necessarily Fallout Remastered problem, but in combination with others mods I used / on the list, be mindful and accept the fact that you might run into problems, e.g. with quests.
- Note 2: Fallout Remastered is currently removed from Nexus, because authors got fed up with morons and their arguments: "Arguments were getting out of hand and Remastered is no platform for that. It was a mod meant for you to use, not for others to abuse.".

^ Back to the Top

HUD / USER INTERFACE

How to Install Fallout 3 HUD mods: Install Darnified UI first. Then all non-HUD mods (because some might add their own tweaks to Darnified, e.g. FWE has some). After everything else is installed, install iHUD, then aHUD and the Unified HUD Project last, because it combines everything (it detects how many, if any of the mods it supports are installed). If you add any mods, re-install Unified HUD Project.

If you're having problems, follow along Gopher's FO3 User Interface Mod Tutorial and the Unified HUD Tutorial.

DarNified UI F3
http://forums.bethsoft.com/topic/1121454-wipzbeta-darnified-ui-f3/
- Configurable UI, absolute MUST, perhaps my favorite mod if I'd need to choose one (because the default UI is so big for PC and higher resolutions).

Dynamic Crosshair
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/15724
- Dynamic Crosshair adds a dynamically resizing crosshair to Fallout 3, which grows and shrinks in real time to show your current weapon's accuracy.

RH_IronSights - FOSE
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/6938
- Iron sights to weapons. Awesome, but very tricky to get working with so many other mods (FWE+EVE+WMK) + it takes a while to get used to it and combat is very challenging, especially early on.
- I started using this from Part 51 onwards in my LP.

Adjustable HUD - aHUD
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/15886
- For adjusting HUD on the fly.

Immersive HUD - iHUD
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/15790
- HUD when you need. HIDE when you don't. Really nice addition to DarnUI

Unified HUD Project
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/15771
- Makes different UI mods work together, adding all the different HUD elements to the UI.

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LIGHTING AND COLORING

Fellout
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/2672
- Removes green tint, adjusts coloring. Makes the nights a lot darker than vanilla.
- Very good alternative for Fellout is F3ProjectRealityMkI. If you use that, you'll have weather system in the same one mod. Both Fellout and F3ProjectRealityMkI remove the green tint and adjust coloring, but the game looks very different depending on which mod you use, so check both out if you want and use the one you like.

Fallout Street Lights
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/8069
- Adds lights and FX beams (some flickering ones too) to most of the street lights and signs in the DC ruins.
- With dark nights, lights are awesome.

Realistic Interior Lighting
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/9250
- Now rooms without windows are no longer bright as day. All in all, much better looking lighting in interiors.
- Less .esp files: The Paradox Ignition merge version of Realistic Interior Lighting

Megaton Lighting Overhaul
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/7875
- Makes Megaton look awesome at night (if you using night adjusting mod like Fellout/F3ProjectRealityMkI).

SmoothLight - Pip-Boy Light Enhancer
- Changes the Pip-Boy Light: Increases magnitude, decreases fade (brightness) and changes color for a warmer, more natural lighting effect.

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FOR CINEMATICS / SCREENSHOTS / INTROS

I only activate these when I need some cool effects on video, e.g. film grain.

CINEMATECH - Film Grains and Styles
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/15745
- Adds user configurable film grains, grits, damages and dirts.

The IMAGINATOR for FO3 - Visual Control Device
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/16875
- A stand-alone, in-game, image modification tool

DYNAVISION - Dynamic Depth of Field
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/17876
- DYNAVISION provides a dynamic depth-of-field and auto-focus effect similar to a camera. In other words, when you're close to something and looking right at it, the subject stays in focus while the background blurs.
- Might cause issues with invisible NPCs and/or enemies. If you have this active and run into invisible NPC bug, try disabling DYNAVISION first and see if it helps.

Directors Chair - Total Visual Control
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/17899
- Takes control of DYNAVISION, IMAGINATOR and CINEMATECH with a nice HUD menu

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REALISM AND IMMERSION

Ambient Temperature
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/13430
- This mod creates an ambient air temperature global based on month, time of day, location, and some randomness. Works together with compatible mods like Imp's More Complex Needs and Powered Power Armor.
- If you're not using IMCN or PPA, you don't need this for anything, unless you just want to see the temperature :)

Enhanced Weather - Rain and Snow
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/6170
- Using the weather inside module as well.
- The radiated rain is pretty brutal with FWE defaults. I enable it for extra challenge and disable when it's more of an annoyance, depending on how I feel. It'll work better, when configing FWE to vanilla rad damage. And make sure to have the Radioactive Rain Fix: http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/11723
- If you use F3ProjectRealityMkI you can replace this and Fellout with one mod (different look than Fellout, so pick the one you like). As far was weather goes, both mods are awesome.

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TEXTURES AND STUFF

NMCs_Texture_Pack_for_FO3
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/12056
- HD textures for main game.
- I use the heaviest version (FULL, PLUS MAX BUMPMAPS)
- I recommend using the Performance pack, or even the Lite (+ Reduced Bumpmaps) if you have less powerful machine. Don't get greedy and go for max unless you're willing to install/uninstall to test how it runs and tolerate the possible crashes you'll get for running the heaviest version. Even you have a powerhouse computer with a great graphics card, you might decrease crashing by picking a less heavy version. Even the lightest version of NMCs pack makes game look A LOT better than vanilla.

Fallout 3 Redesigned - Formerly Project Beauty HD
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/6341
- Makes NPCs in Fallout 3 look better. Very nicely done, note the rename to "redesigned", because people thought "project beauty" would make NPCs more beautiful, while this mod just makes them more real.

Enhanced Blood Textures
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/101
- Increases the resolution size from 256 to 1024 and created new textures for screen, world, wounds and static blood decals.
- Less .esp files: The Paradox Ignition merge version of Enhanced Blood Textures

Fallout 3 Re-Animated
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/7670
- ~80 animations fine-tuned and improved. Can't say for sure how much this really "improves" stuff, and this might cause some of the skeleton glitches, not sure, but I'm running it anyway :)

Camo Combat Armor Redux
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/7386
- A replacement, more detailed texture set for all five Combat Armors in the game.
- Note the minor tweaks to the stats as well, these are not just textures, but I listed it here.

Improved LOD Noise Texture
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/17743
- Better looking terrain texture to the distance with zero performance cost.

HDR Pipboy
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/590
- HDR in this mod stands for Hi-res, Darker and Rusted Pipboy. I like it.

Clear_worldmap
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/998
- Clearer World Map on the Pip-Boy. It's a subtle change, but it makes the water and the roads a lot more visible. Adds coordinates to the edges, which might be useful if you use an online map or map that comes with the strategy guide or something.

Better clutter and furniture pack
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/8498
- Base pack of improved textures. Mostly overwritten by MG's Neat Clutter and selected textures below.

MGs Neat Clutter
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/18101/
- Hi-res textures for for more than 100 objects. Better clutter and furniture pack got mostly overwritten by this.
- Published on 25th of August, 2012. In my let's play Fallout 3, Part 17 and onward.

FO3-WRP - Weapon Retexture Project
- Very nice HD textures for selected weapons (e.g. 10mm, sniper rifle and hunting rifle)

Hi-Res Weapons v3
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/481

+ Some selected Hi-Res textures for certain items.
- These are mostly overwritten by the stuff above, but I had these installed and didn't uninstall when adding more stuff on top):
- And for that reason, I wouldn't bother downloading and installing these, unless you want some specific look for books or cigarettes for example.

• Hi-Res Weapons and Armor from 4Aces HiRes Mods (overwritten by Hi-Res Weapons v3, FWE and anything that added weapon/armor textures, but there might be some meshes and textures still in from this): http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/3793
• Better HiRes Skill Books: http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/3876
• Better PreWar and Burned Books: http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/3679
• Vertibird Re-textured: http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/8602
• Shishkebab retexture: http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/3879
• Whats Your Brand - cigarette texture megapack: http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/591

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QUESTS AND QUEST TWEAKS

Power of the Atom Reworked - FOOK2 and FWE compatable
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/12813
- Changes the way the Power of the Atom quest works, e.g. follower of Atom will get angry if bomb is disarmed, disarming/triggering is a lot harder, the bomb has a chance to explode when you work on it, etc.
- If you want to deal with the bomb right out of the Vault, this might make it too difficult (for me, that was the point).
- I uninstalled this after finishing the quest.

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PLAYER HOUSING

Owned
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/1516
(The mod seems to have disappeared from the Nexus. It can still be found in Planet Fallout, here: Owned!.)
- When you kill the owner(s) of a property, you will get full privilege to everything in the house including the beds, the items and storage without any negative effects (beside a dose of bad karma of course).

The Maintenance Shed
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/7115
- Very nice, simple player "home" right next to Megaton. Not companion friendly I think, so put companions on wait before entering.

The Dockside Inn and Resort from g62 Housing Compilation http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/16201.

Real Megaton House V3
- Nice, not over the top modification of the Megaton house. Compatible with Moira's upgrades, like Workbench, etc.

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LOCATIONS AND LOCATION TWEAKS

The D.C. Interiors Project
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/5573
- D.C. opened up, a LOT of new buildings to enter. One of THE BEST mods for Fallout 3, absolute must! You don't believe how many new places you can go to and how well they've been done.

A World Of Pain for Fallout 3 AWOP4FO3
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/17965
- New locations to go and fight in. Very minor story/plot, but mostly just for places to fight in. Some of the locations are designed to be very, very hard.

Crowded Cities v2
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/11035
- More NPCs in the settlements. Try the "Less_NPCs" version, it's better for performance, plus it doesn't add extra people to Big Town.

Megaton Tweaks http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/1556
- Adds several tweaks to Megaton while attempting to be unobtrusive with the preexisting flow.
- I was first using Megaton Tweaks -- Snipers Edition (early parts of the LP), but it kept causing occasional FPS issues outside Megaton, probably because of pathfinding/AI of the mercenaries, so I dropped it.

Moriarty's Saloon enhanced
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/16651
- Reworks the lights, and puts some stuff in to make Moriarty'Saloon a more living place.

Animated Slot Machine at Moriartys
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/13143
- To make Moriarty's look even nicer.

Rivet City Merchants
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/16743
- Makes Rivet City market a whole lot better and bigger.

GNR Building Redux
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/16938
- Only using GNRBuilding_Studio.esp, which slightly modifies Three Dogs' studio, adding a little player room to have a place to crash and store some stuff.
- Not using the GNRBuilding_BoS.esm. The place is really nice, but I had some white texture flashing issues, probably because of the lighting, so I just disabled it for now.

A Clean Museum
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/6417
- Lets Fawkes actually preserve the Museum of History.

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AUDIO

CRL9000 Sound Modification V046 - DLC Edition
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/613
- Improved quality of weapon audio.

Ambient Wasteland 2
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/12602
- 200+ ambient noises to the wasteland. Fantastic.

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NEW ITEMS, TWEAKS, ETC

Only install the ones you will use.

Merc Adventurer Armor
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/13155
- Very nice looking armor for great post-apocalyptic look. Tweak stats in FO3EDIT if you like, but it's fairly well balanced.

Leather backpack
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/15639
- Absolutely fantastic looking backpack, goes particularly well with the Merc Adventurer Armor above. You might want to FO3EDIT the DR down thou (e.g. to 1-5), it's very high by default (24 I think) and thus, out of balance.

Dragonskin Tactical Outfit
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/10183
- The Dragonskin Tactical Outfit mod actually adds a selection of outfits in different colours and camo patterns to the Wasteland, and matching color combat backpacks.
- Loosely based on the real Dragon Skin body armour apparently in use today by SWAT teams, Secret Service and other elite military personnel. During testing this armour withstood multiple assault rifle bullet impacts and even point-blank hand grenade blasts.

Gopher's Advanced Recon Series
- Several sets of Stealth Armor and Gear
- I only use Range Finder and Thermal Nightvision, not the armors or the trap detection system.
Advanced Recon Range Finder FO3 http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/15744
Advanced Recon Thermal Nightvision http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/15653
Advanced Recon Stealth Armor http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/2654
Advanced Recon Trap Detection http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/15641

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COMPANIONS

Only install the ones you will use.

Companion Share And Recruit
- http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/12106
- Generic companion mod. If you want more companions than the ones normally in the game, use this mod. If you don't, don't bother.
- Companion Share & Recruit adds a perk that lets you befriend almost anyone in the wasteland, with a skill challenge. You can then swap gear with them, find out what they're skilled at, and even recruit them to join you on your adventures. Up to half your Charisma +1 people can follow you at once. (FWE rules still apply I think, which does the same thing)

Jessi Companion
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/2732

Kelsey Companion
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/4473

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Non-Active Companion Mods

RobCo Certified
- http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/712
- If you want robot companions, use this mod. If you don't, don't bother.
- Adds a three-step perk that allows you to repair and control busted robots
- Uses the same Companion System as the Companion Share And Recruit above
- RobCo Certified (Alternative) Textures: http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/13428
- Mr Smiths Scrapyard works well with RobCo Certified (I decided not to use it for my LP thou): http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/14075.

Wasteland Whisperer v2
- http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/1610
- If you want animal companions, use this mod. If you don't, don't bother.
- adds three new perks, allowing you to interact with animals (by ordering them around)
- Uses the same Companion System as the Companion Share And Recruit & RobCo Certified above

Lucy West Companion
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/5696

Sydney Follower
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/9320

Brianna Companion
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/7408

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OTHER MODS I HAVE USED, JUST NOT RIGHT NOW

Here are the mods I've had active, but have disabled or uninstalled. These are all awesome mods, but situational or just something I didn't need in the long run.

IMCN - Imps More Complex Needs
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/11418
- This is a hunger/thirst/sleep simulator that independently tracks blood alcohol content, hydration, calories, protein, nutrients, and the degree of fullness.
- Not necessary with FWE, because FWE includes the 'Realistic Needs' mod. If you want simpler mod, and not all the protein/nutrients stuff, don't use this and just go with FWE's option.
- Note: After playing through the LP, I wouldn't use IMCN if I started again. The Realistic Needs in FWE is good enough, or - better. The proteins and nutrients make it overly complex and the bodily changes (while optional) are too significant (stat changes, etc.).

Powered Power Armor
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/13361
- Not much use if you don't use Power Armor.
- Fantastic mod, works particularly well with Imps More Complex Needs.
- Makes power armor require occasional recharging to keep it fully functional, and adds a number of power armor upgrades available from various vendors throughout the wastes + upgrades to power armor.

Intro Street Bus and Dupont Alignment
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/16924
- This adds in the street and bus from the intro movie. The street is added to the Chevy Chase area.
- If you've ever wanted to walk in the scene of the intro movie, this is a mod for you.
- (I uninstalled this after seeing and recording it, it's very cool, but kinda wasted .esp after visiting)

Washington Monument BoS Outpost
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/7831
- Turns the washington monument into a true BoS outpost, with some computers, radio equipment and basic bedding and equipment for two Brotherhood soldiers or yourself.
- I wouldn't install this, unless you plan to use a lot of time in the Mall and nearby.

Better Rivet City Church
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/11020
- Makes Rivet City Church actually look like Church. Little minor details, but nice if you want to (role)play more in Rivet City. If you don't spend much time there, don't bother with this.

Wearable Backpack - BlackWolf Backpack
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/2553
- Adds a backpack with new model that you can wear. It increases your carry weight to 15/25/35/45/50/70.
- I opted to use the leather backpack and the combat backpacks from Dragonskin Tactical Outfit pack.

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MODS *NOT* IN USE, BUT MIGHT SEE USE IN THE FUTURE

Mods I haven't activated, but I might at some point of the LP (or not).

Various Housing Mods by Gary62, including Hunter's Ridge http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/17444,
Ranger's Shack from g62 Housing Compilation http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/16201, and
Megaton Return (which might just be the ultimate Megaton Home): http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/18055/

RTS - Real Time Settler
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/7070

Alton IL - Huge World and Quest Mod
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/16949

Animated NV Goggles
- http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/12841
- A real working night vision goggles with animations and sounds. The version for helmets is particularly nice, and fits in well with the DTO (above).

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Fallout 3 Quad Core Fix / Fallout.ini

I have Win7 x64 & quad core processor (Zemalf's PC Specs) and Fallout 3 just crashed every time as soon as I made played the Escape quest part a bit (usually around the part where Andy the Robot and Officer Lopez are fighting the radroaches) and this was with 0 mods.

To fix this, I added and edited these lines in fallout.ini -file:

bUseThreadedAI=1
iNumHWThreads=2

With this fix the game doesn't crash. (with as many mods as I have now, the game will crash at random, but with this the regular crash goes away)

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MODS *NOT* TO USE

I've encountered too big glitches or bugs with these, so I can't recommend them. Use/test at your own risk.

Sunglasses Merchant Upgraded
http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/17474
- UPDATE: Don't use this mod. It seems to bug out navmesh ("pathfinding") in Rivet City market and the front doors.
- Rivet City Merchants compatible version of Sunglasses Collection. Adds one more merchant to Rivet City (this version compatible with Rivet City Merchants above).
- NOTE: If not running Rivet City Merchants, use the original: Sunglasses Collection.

OTHER TWEAKS

+ load order with BOSS http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/10193/
+ tweaking of the UI via DarnUI config
+ tweaking of the game via Fallout.ini and FalloutPrefs.ini
+ manually tweaking the mods via FO3Edit: http://fallout3.nexusmods.com/mods/637
+ custom patch to tweak some added items; armors and backpacks
+ custom patch to make IMCN work with Blackened (easier option: don't use IMCN, FWE's Realistic Needs is just as good.)
+ merged patch with FO3Edit (Merged Patch without FO Remastered and Blackened)
+ master update with FO3Edit (without FO Remastered, Blackened, Merged Patch and my custom IMCN patch)
+ hours of testing how the mods work together and even more hours on "forgetting myself" into the game when I was just going to check one little thing...

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LOAD ORDER

Just use BOSS - that's what I did - zero manual ordering. If a mod is not in BOSS, put together with similar mods using userlist.txt - or use FWE Load Order guidelines.

In case you're interested, you can find my load order from pastebin: Zemalf's Fallout 3 Load Order (but really, just use BOSS.)

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"Must-Have Fallout 3 Mods" aka the Short list

This post and the big list above is up-to-date on what I'm using now, but if I'd need to pick a short list out of everything I have, it would be (as in, "I wouldn't play F3 on PC without these"):

All of the 'Base and Utility Mods':

• Nexus Mod Manager
• Fallout Script Extender (FOSE)
• ArchiveInvalidation Invalidated
• CASM (Cipscis' Automatic Save Manager)
• Fallout Stutter Remover
• Large Address Aware Enabler for FO3

+
FWE - FO3 Wanderers Edition
MMM - Marts Mutant Mod
FOIP - Fallout Interoperability Program - FOIP
(or Blackened)
Darnified UI F3
Immersive HUD
Unified HUD
(Adjustable HUD - aHUD for easy customization)
DCInteriors Project
Ambient Wasteland 2
Fellout + Enhanced Weather (or replace both with F3ProjectRealityMkI)

To the above, I'd personally add ironsights via RH_IronSights - FOSE (+ The Paradox Ignition merge version of RH_IS) and Dynamic Crosshair, but some prefer the normal crosshair aiming over ironsights.

Everything else is optional and nice to have. For visual improvements, I'd take at least (in the order of "must-haveness"):

Fallout 3 Redesigned - Formerly Project Beauty HD
NMCs_Texture_Pack_for_FO3
MGs Neat Clutter
Fallout Street Lights
The Paradox Ignition merge version of Realistic Interior Lighting
Megaton Lighting Overhaul

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NEW TO MODDING?

Firstly - when you're modding a game, accept the fact that you WILL run into problems. The more mods you install, the more problems you will have - and the more you need to understand and know.

You MUST read the documentation and learn to understand how the mods work. This page and the numerous tutorials will help you, but DO NOT expect modding Fallout 3 to be easy. With that said, it's not hard (to learn) either, but it will take time.

1. ALWAYS use a mod manager like Nexus Mod Manager to install mods, NEVER ever install manually.
2. Read the installation instructions for EACH MOD when installing them. Check if mod author has listed compatibility and/or known conflicts or such.
3. Use BOSS to sort load order. Read the reports BOSS outputs when you use it.
4. Make sure you have Archive Invalidation installed or active via Mod Manager.
5. If you still have problems after using BOSS + have Archive Invalidated active, learn to use FO3EDIT to check mod conflicts & see what's the problem. Learn to understand load order without BOSS.
6. If all else fails, uninstall some mods & use less mods. Install them one by one.

Lastly - Make sure to Read the Resources and Fallout 3 Modding Tutorials -part below and watch tutorial videos for more information.

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Fallout 3 Modding Tutorials and Other Resources

If you're new to modding and installing mods for the first time: start with only a few mods. Always read the documentation and follow instructions. To get everything working I have listed here, you will need to do manual checking and tweaking via FO3EDIT, which can be daunting for a beginner.

To get a really good set of mods up and running (most, if not all, are featured in my list too), you can follow Gopher's Fallout 3 Modding Tutorial Videos. Gopher is the author of the iHUD, aHUD, Unified HUD, and many other mods, and has excellent modding tutorials on his YouTube channel.

Other Notes

When you mod a game, it can get unstable and crash a lot more than the un-modded game. Also, mod problems might break the gameplay or some quests. The more mods you install, the more problems you'll probably have. Some mods, especially textures, can and will affect your FPS (Frames Per Second), so choose mods based on the power of your machine.

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Links

• Fallout 3 Nexus: The place to download all the mods
• Gopher's Fallout 3 Modding Video Tutorial Series
• My Fallout 3 LP: Roleplay + The listed mods in action
• My YouTube Channel: Slow-paced let's play videos

Edits & Updates:

• Minor tweaks, some added mods, added the "must-have list" to the end.
• 2013-01-31: Load order now in pastebin: http://pastebin.com/ZYpXryUa
• Added short installation instructions for the HUD mods, and the links to the tutorial videos.
• 2013-05-08: Added 'New to Modding?' instructions to avoid common pitfalls.

Mount & Blade with Fire & Sword Trading Guide

Trade guide for Mount & Blade with Fire & Sword: Rough prices I used on my "Mount & Trade" videos of my let's play Mount & Blade with Fire & Sword. The threshold prices are not perfect, but they work fine: I made 50000 in an hour with trade-skill 3 on my level 2 character.

How to make money in Mount & Blade with Fire & Sword

You can make all the money you need from the battles, looting, selling the loot, and eventually the taxes when you get fiefs. However, trading is a good way to make money early on, to hire initial army and gear. And this guide should help you, if you've never done trading before.

Trading in Mount & Blade is simple, you buy low and sell high. The economy is dynamic, the prices change over time based on supply and demand. Different locations, the towns and the fortresses, produce and use different kind of goods.

Mount & Blade with Fire & Sword Trade Guide: Prices

Buy if you see a trade item for less than below.
Sell if you get a price higher than below.
You get the idea.

"BUY <" (and "B <") means "buy for less than"
"SELL >" (and "S >") means "sell for more than"

Use these as guideline to get started, not as strict rules. So feel free to pay a little more than in the list, and feel free to sell as long as you get more money than you paid for.

• IRON, SALT: BUY < 150, SELL > 250
• POWDER: B < 300, S > 500
• LINEN, CLOTH, WINE: B < 150, S > 200
• LEATHERWORK, BUTTER: B < 100, S >130
• POTTERY, MEAT, FISH: B < 40, S > 70
• SPICE: B < 600, S > 800
• OIL: B < 300, S > 400
• VELVET: B < 700, S > 900

There are many goods like Furs, Vodka, Shag, Hemp, etc I don't trade that much, but you'll quickly learn good price ranges for them if you use the assess prices often when getting started.

Also note that you can at times find some goods at extremely low price and similarly, you can sometimes be able to sell the goods for much higher price than the threshold.

If you want to see how the prices work in action, check the videos below (2 x 30 minutes of trading for over 50000 thalers / h).

Where to sell? Where to buy?

Buy wherever you are and get a good price. Sell where you can get a good price as you continue your route. Going counter-clockwise around the land seems to work OK.

Powder should always be sold to fortresses, the prices can go as high as 1000 and above. Thus, buy powder from towns, sell in cities.

While traveling between towns and fortresses, visit the villages as well. Villages pay well well for certain goods, but they don't have much money. If you find cheap food in village, buy'em and sell high in the next fortress.

If you're new to the game, use the "assess prices" for starters to get a hang of things where to sell, etc. And if your character doesn't have Trade skill, get Ingri to join you.

Using Caravans

If you see a lot of same items for cheap (e.g. 15 iron) and you have a decently sized army (to protect caravan from bandits/enemies), you can send (and escort) a caravan.

Use the Assess Prices in the marketplace to see where you get the best price (write it down if you think you won't remember).

Go talk to the Mayor. Talk about Trade. Say that you want to send a caravan. You'll choose what caravan (e.g. Iron if that's what you're hauling) and then the place the caravan will go.

If/when you escort the caravan, 2 guards is enough. Then just accompany the caravan and keep bandits away until caravan arrives in destination.

If you find yourself using caravans a lot, invest in the trade permit, which costs 2500 thalers. With that you don't need to pay the 5% tax for the caravan.

Investing / Merchant's Guild

As soon as you get an extra 10000 or more, go to a town (choose one friendly to you, or better yet, one you own), go to Town Square, Merchant's Guild and put most of the money there. Money will grow 14% interest (20% if you control the town or have good enough relations with the town) every week without you doing anything.

If you don't like trading (buying low, selling high), just keep on fighting and conquering, sell the loot and put excess money in the Merchant's Guilds.

Mount & Trade (in M&B with Fire & Sword)

Mount & Trade (wF&S)

Mount & Trade II (in M&B with Fire & Sword)

Mount & Trade II (wF&S)

Click here for more Mount & Blade with Fire & Sword videos.

Let's Play Day Z

Let's play Day Z, a multiplayer zombie survival mod for Arma II: Combined Operations by Bohemia Interactive.

All episodes on YouTube: Let's Play Day Z Playlist

Click here to watch my Let's Play Day Z on YouTube

Let's Play Day Z

I play it slow, focus on survival, not action.

I'm fighting for my life. I do my best to survive.

This is Day Z. This is my story.

Click here to watch the videos.

About Let's Play Day Z

I'm thrown to a 15x15km (225 square km) open-world post-soviet state of Chernarus, in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, where the zombies are fast and dangerous - at least after they see or hear me - and the other players are even more deadly.

I (role)play the game like I was actually there. I prefer living over getting killed, so I'm very cautious and try to avoid dangerous situations. This game is hardcore, always ironman (dead is dead), so I consider everything I do very carefully - like I probably would if I'd find myself in a middle of a zombie apocalypse.

With both zombies and other players, if I'm firing my guns, something has probably gone wrong already. Also, I prefer playing on hardcore servers (No 3rd person view, no crosshair, no player names).

Click here for the full YouTube show: Let's Play Day Z

Where to Buy, How to Play Day Z?

Day Z is a a free mod for Arma II: Combined Operations (= ArmA2 + ArmA: Operation Arrowhead), which is available via retail, Steam and Amazon (both digital download and DVD):

ArmA2: Combined Operations [Download]:

DayZ mod itself is free (but as said, requires ArmA2:CO), and can be downloaded via the website: http://www.dayzmod.com/ - installation instructions can be found from DayZ website/forums.

Day Z Links

Day Z mod. At the time of recording in ALPHA (you can find the version info on the video descriptions)

Explanation of Day Z ALPHA (READ IT instead of complaining about bugs/errors)

ArmA II: Combined Operations

http://www.arma2.com/beta-patch.php>ArmA II BETA patch

Let's Play Day Z Playlist

FOR MORE DAY Z VIDEOS, GO TO: http://youtube.com/show/letsplaydayz

Let's Play The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition

Blind let's play The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition (PC).

Using imported save file from my The Witcher LP. Played, recorded and uploaded on PC, ultra graphics max settings, no ubersampling and 1920x1080. All videos on the playlist are uploaded with high quality 1080p Full HD.

This is a blind let's play: I haven't played the game before, not The Witcher 2 or the Enhanced Edition. I don't know what to expect, and I don't want to know.

No spoilers in the comments of this video or any other video on the let's play. Note the difference between hints and spoilers thou, gameplay tips are fine, revealing anything about the story or possible secrets is not.

I play on Hard difficulty, but that doesn't mean I'm any good at the game. Any glimpse of skill on my part is accidental and/or luck, and isn't proof of things to come.



Click here to watch the videos on high quality on YouTube (HD 1080p):
The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition

Playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE598273639F89FA4

YouTube Show:
The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition

Gameplay and commentary by Zemalf:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheZemalf

ESRB Warning: This title is rated "M" for Mature Audiences (PEGI 18)

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is a third-person role-playing video game developed by Polish studio  CD Projekt RED . It is a sequel to the 2007 video game The Witcher, and was released internationally for PC (MS Windows) on May 17, 2011. The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition is available on PC & Xbox 360 2012 and was released on April 17th 2012. Like The Witcher (1), the game is based on the book series of the same name by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski (Sapkowski's books on Amazon).

For more The Witcher 2 videos and more let's plays from me, click here to subscribe:
http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=thezemalf

For PC and via digital download, The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition is available via GOG.com and Steam. For XBox 360 and PC, The Witcher 2 Enhanced Edition in also available via retail and place like Amazon:

Let's Play X3TC

Let the space trading begin! Let's play X3TC (X³: Terran Conflict) as a trader. Slow-paced X3TC gameplay, focusing on space trading, making credits and building a massive business empire in the X-universe.

Here's the playlist (all episodes):
Let's Play X3TC Playlist

Click here to watch Let's Play X3TC on YouTube

• Start: Humble Merchant
• Role & Playstyle: Trader/Entrepreneur, Pacifist
• Plot: Not at the beginning of the LP, but I will start/follow the story later

About This Let's Play

This is a blind let's play, I haven't played the game before.

X3 gameplay and commentary by Zemalf. This YouTube show and the playlist features very long videos in Full HD 1080p, all recorded on max graphics settings in 1920x1080.

Click here for the full show: Let's Play X3TC.

Game

X³: Terran Conflict (X3TC), is a space trading and combat simulator from German developer Egosoft and is the culmination of their X series of computer games. Described as a stand alone game, based on X3: Reunion, it boasts new plot lines, features and assets. It was first released on October 2008 for the European market and Steam. (source: Wikipedia)

Mods

X3TC Bonus Package ("official" signed mods and approved by Egosoft):
http://www.egosoft.com/download/x3tc/bonus_en.php

MK3 Trading Log (Monitors Sector/Universal Traders, report viewable outside the game in a browser)
http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=250661