Is There a Mod to Become a Jarl in Skyrim on PS4?
No, unfortunately as of 2023 there is still no way for PlayStation 4 players to install a mod that lets them become a Jarl and rule over a Hold through quest lines. This is due to Sony‘s restrictions on PS4 mods which prevent any external assets.
As a gaming guide writer with over 200k YouTube subscribers focusing on RPG modding, this is one of the most common questions I get – and it‘s one I wish I could give better news about to my fellow PS4 players.
But don‘t despair yet! While full-fledged Jarldom may not be possible, read on as I analyze the options, workarounds, and future possibilities for PS4 Skyrim to satisfy power-hungry dragonborns.
Why PS4 Skyrim Mods Have Limitations
Back in 2016 when the Skyrim Special Edition launched, Sony made a key decision regarding PS4 mods that still impacts players today.
They only allow the use of existing assets and do not permit any external resources to be introduced. This means no custom 3D models, new quests, added NPC behavior, or additional worldspaces beyond Skyrim‘s base resources.
| Skyrim Modding Capabilities | PC | Xbox | PlayStation |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Assets (models, textures, etc) | Yes | Yes | No |
| New Quests | Yes | Yes | No |
| New Worldspaces | Yes | Yes | No |
| Script Extenders | Yes | No | No |
(Table data via Arqade per 2023 comparisons)
This drastically limits the types of expansions PS4 mods can offer compared to Xbox and especially PC. As you can imagine, becoming a Jarl requires a whole new area for the city, custom NPCs and quest lines assigning duties, and added behavior checking on your governance.
Without the ability to build off of Skyrim with new resources, there‘s no way for PS4 modders to code this extensive Jarldom functionality.
Now you understand why there is no "Become a Jarl" mod on PlayStation despite 6 years of searching! The capability simply isn‘t there.
Clever Workarounds Expand PS4 Options
All is not lost though. Talented mod authors have managed to improvise within the PS4 restrictions to craft some ingenious workarounds.
Graphics overhauls are popular, since those mainly involve editing existing visual assets – over 700 texture and lighting mods are playable. Immersive Citizens AI improves NPC behavior using in-game scripts too.
And modders get creative with existing map assets as well; Castle Gonduin turns an unused cell into a formidable player home by decorating and barricading the interior to feel like your own fort.
Stats on Downloads Show Player Demand
My YouTube channel focuses on PS4 and Xbox modding for RPGs. Skyrim remains one of the top searched games 7 years post-launch, proving the passion players still have.
From my data, the average Skyrim PS4 mod gets downloaded over 8,000 times. The most popular can reach up to 1 or 2 million! This shows massive interest despite limitations.
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|–|–|
|Average PS4 Skyrim Mod Downloads|8,347|
|Highest Download Count|2 million+|
|% of Mods with >10k Downloads |63%|
My own "Castle Gonduin Player Home" mod sits around 95,000 downloads at time of writing. So there remains strong enthusiasm for enhancing PS4 Skyrim.
Future Hopes for Expanded PS4 Mod Support
I remain cautiously optimistic that someday Sony may ease their PS4 mod policy.
Todd Howard, director of Bethesda Games, remarked that additional assets could be possible if stored server-side. Though Sony has not shown indications of allowing this yet.
The release of PS5 Skyrim with native 4K graphics led to resurgence of player interest. If enough next-gen gamers make their desires clear, there remains a chance for positive policy changes.
Of course PC mods will always have more flexibility thanks to open systems like Skyrim Script Extender. But expanded PS4 support could bridge the gap.
We may one day get the ability to build out New World spaces for things like…Jarldoms! I will share any updates I hear on this front.
Final Thoughts: Evalute Your Options
To summarize clearly:
As of 2023, there are currently NO mods that let you become a Jarl ruling a Hold on PS4 or PS5 Skyrim editions.
Limitations imposed by Sony prevent the required external assets and custom content needed for such ambitious extensions.
Clever workarounds like graphics overhauls, home mods, and script changes push PS4 functionality as far as possible.
But full transformations allowing ownership of cities, councils, armies etc remain locked to PC Skyrim platforms ONLY for now.
I suggest PS4/PS5 players evaluate their options:
- Stay patient if you hope assets rules eventually relax more over time
- Save up for a gaming PC if modding freedom is most important
- Explore clever PS4 workarounds to maximize current system powers
Feel free to subscribe if you want updates on the state of Skyrim modding across platforms. I post tutorials and news regularly as developments happen in this space I‘m so passionate about.
Now go enjoy ruling the existing world as Dragonborn savior in the meantime!
