EDIT: Survival Mode is LIVE and available across all platforms: PC, Xbox, and PS4!
Monday, October 2, 9:30pm PDT
If you've joined this community, then I don't even need to introduce what this article is about.
Survival mode looks awesome, especially for those players who do not have a PC capable of running Solitaire, let alone something as resource-heavy as Skyrim. And, while it does look like several existing top rated mods were combined into one beautiful Frankenstein's Monster of gamer goodness, this is big news for console players, especially those on PS4.
If you haven't heard about Survival Mode, here's what you can look forward to:
For anyone playing on PC (and even Xbox to some extent), this may look unnecessary bordering on idiotic; why would you pay for an all-in-one mod for content you can get for free? One possible answer is that several of the top mods from Legendary Edition never made the port over to Special Edition. Many are still waiting on SKSE64, an integral platform for a huge number of mods, without which many cannot function. Others are done modding and updating, and no longer interested in making the switch to SE. That has reduced the number and variety of mods for PC players (though that mod list is constantly growing, still).
For players restricted to PS4, it is currently the only way to access content that you'd find in some of the most popular mods like Hypothermia: Frostfall, Diseases, and iNeeds due to Sony's "external asset" restrictions. This new mode is an opportunity for console players to experience what PC players have considered all but standard for years.
However, there is a catch.
Bethesda's initial language regarding the download and purchase of Survival Mode was vague enough that it left many believing that if they downloaded it within the first week of release it would be free, no strings attached, forever.
However, this is not the case.
As noted in an article written by Felix Nova over at Game-Debate.com, "It will be available for free to use for 1 week but then if you want to keep it and carry on using it, it will cost 8$."
This is understandably disappointing to anyone who had been hoping to snag the new content for free, no strings, and comes on the heels of some interesting upset and debate about the path Bethesda has taken to generate paid content from modders.
Will this second foray into paid content pan out with a desirable Flagship mod like Survival Mode at its lead?
I think that will depend entirely on how Bethesda treats its content creators, the consumers, and the community supporting them.
The good news is: If you're still interested in trying or owning Survival Mode on Xbox or PS4, keeping your eyes peeled for this release should not be as stressful, now that you know the "free" price tag is a trial offer. Survival Mode will still be waiting for you when release week passes, and whether you missed the trial week or not, if you want to use it after that, you'll have to pony up $8.
Survival Mode isavailable for PC in Beta on Steam, and will release for Xbox and PS4 at the end of the month (October, 2017) currently available across all platforms as of Tuesday, October 3, 2017.
Monday, October 2, 9:30pm PDT
If you've joined this community, then I don't even need to introduce what this article is about.
Survival mode looks awesome, especially for those players who do not have a PC capable of running Solitaire, let alone something as resource-heavy as Skyrim. And, while it does look like several existing top rated mods were combined into one beautiful Frankenstein's Monster of gamer goodness, this is big news for console players, especially those on PS4.
If you haven't heard about Survival Mode, here's what you can look forward to:
- Weather now affects the player in the style of Hypothermia: Frostfall
- Penalties based on whether or not you're hungry
- No leveling up without sleeping first (very Oblivion of them, if you ask me)
- Enhanced diseases, new diseases, and food poisoning
- No natural health regen
- Fatigue decreases magicka and potion efficacy
- Decreased carry capacity (and even things like lock picks have weight, now)
- No fast travel
For anyone playing on PC (and even Xbox to some extent), this may look unnecessary bordering on idiotic; why would you pay for an all-in-one mod for content you can get for free? One possible answer is that several of the top mods from Legendary Edition never made the port over to Special Edition. Many are still waiting on SKSE64, an integral platform for a huge number of mods, without which many cannot function. Others are done modding and updating, and no longer interested in making the switch to SE. That has reduced the number and variety of mods for PC players (though that mod list is constantly growing, still).
For players restricted to PS4, it is currently the only way to access content that you'd find in some of the most popular mods like Hypothermia: Frostfall, Diseases, and iNeeds due to Sony's "external asset" restrictions. This new mode is an opportunity for console players to experience what PC players have considered all but standard for years.
However, there is a catch.
Bethesda's initial language regarding the download and purchase of Survival Mode was vague enough that it left many believing that if they downloaded it within the first week of release it would be free, no strings attached, forever.
However, this is not the case.
As noted in an article written by Felix Nova over at Game-Debate.com, "It will be available for free to use for 1 week but then if you want to keep it and carry on using it, it will cost 8$."
This is understandably disappointing to anyone who had been hoping to snag the new content for free, no strings, and comes on the heels of some interesting upset and debate about the path Bethesda has taken to generate paid content from modders.
Will this second foray into paid content pan out with a desirable Flagship mod like Survival Mode at its lead?
I think that will depend entirely on how Bethesda treats its content creators, the consumers, and the community supporting them.
The good news is: If you're still interested in trying or owning Survival Mode on Xbox or PS4, keeping your eyes peeled for this release should not be as stressful, now that you know the "free" price tag is a trial offer. Survival Mode will still be waiting for you when release week passes, and whether you missed the trial week or not, if you want to use it after that, you'll have to pony up $8.
Survival Mode is
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