Do Nexus Mods Work on PS4? A Passionate Gamer‘s Guide
As a passionate gamer and content creator it has struck my fancy to dig deep into this question plaguing our community – can you use Nexus Mods, one of the largest and most beloved modding sites, on the PS4 console?
The unfortunate truth is no, Nexus Mods does not natively work on PS4. According to Nexus Mods themselves, their platform is designed for PC gaming and mods hosted there specifically target PC game versions.
But fear not fellow gamers, there are still options for using mods on the PlayStation 4, albeit more limited than what our PC brethren enjoy. Let‘s delve deeper into mod availability across platforms and how you can get the most out of modding Skyrim, Fallout 4 or other titles on your PS4!
A High-Level Overview of Modding Across Platforms
Before examining the PS4 specifically, let‘s briefly compare modding capabilities and access across platforms:
| Platform | Nexus Mod Support | Native Modding Features | Approx. Mods Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC | Full support | Advanced tools for installing & managing mods | 100,000+ |
| Xbox One | No | Limited tools via Bethesda.net | 5,000+ |
| PS4 | No | Limited tools via Bethesda.net | 2,000+ |
As shown by the data above, PC enjoys unfettered access to huge modding communities like Nexus Mods with deep tools for customizing your experience. Consoles on the other hand have varying degrees of limited tools and mod availability. Now let‘s explore that PS4 experience in more detail!
PS4 Mod Support & Bethesda.net Limitations
Sony does allow mod access on PS4 but with strict limitations in place:
- Mods can only be accessed for Bethesda titles like Skyrim & Fallout 4
- All mods must be downloaded from the Bethesda.net website
- File sizes are limited (only 1GB allowed on PS4 according to Bethesda)
In particular the 1GB limit creates significant constraints for PS4 modders. And even more restricting – mods can only utilize in-game assets so no custom textures, models, etc. allowed! These barriers drastically reduce the 2,000 mods available down from the 100,000+ on Nexus Mods PC.
As a fellow PS4 gamer this pains me to admit but it‘s the honest truth for now. Perhaps with the more open PS5 architecture we might gain some modding leeway!
How to Install Skyrim & Fallout 4 Mods on PS4
So given the unfortunate restrictions inherent with PS4 mods, what‘s the best approach for those still wanting to enhance their experience on Sony‘s console? Follow these steps for acquiring and running Skyrim or Fallout mods on PS4:
- Create a Bethesda.net account
- This is required to access their mod database
- Find desired mods
- Browse Bethesda.net for available PS4 mods
- Download mods
- Size limit of 1GB total applies
- Enable mods in-game
- Skyrim: Hit Mods option at main menu
- Fallout 4: Same process to access mods
I know looking at the vastly superior mods on Nexus forums can breed envy but there are still some solid options enhancing graphics, weapons, armor or adding new quests entirely absent from vanilla PS4 game versions.
Closing Thoughts – PS4 Mod Support Still Worthwhile
The constraints around PS4 modding are certainly lamentable for hardcore gamers like us. But fear not, progress marches on for technology and with the flexibility possible on PCs I foresee better mod support coming to future PlayStation consoles too!
I hope this guide gave insightful context while also showing there are still worthwhile mod options for PS4 users. And if you have stayed current with me until the very last word here – first rounds on me once we meet IRL at PAX East 2024!!! 🥳
Game on friends – and may we all keep pushing the gaming community forward across platforms.
