

Add-ons are things like user-made maps, small tweaks to NPCs, texture packs and new weapons, and are often made by just one person. Mods generally fall into one of four categories depending on their complexity. It’s like medieval alchemy, only with computers and more tits. The art of taking a base game and changing it on a fundamental level, sometimes beyond all recognition, into something new and wondrous. Both consoles and PCs have their strengths and weaknesses of course but one legitimate advantage the PC gaming star children can claim for themselves – a shimmering luminescent jewel in their home-made tinfoil crowns – is modding. This is not to say there’s no truth to be found in their many tedious arguments for the superiority of PC gaming. You'll also need to fire up New Vegas through Steam or GOG the regular way once for xNVSE's loader to work.PC gamers have something of a reputation for being smug, elitist jerks who imagine themselves gaming demigods, ruling over lesser console-playing mortals from jewelled thrones atop some gaming MountOlympus. I recommend making a shortcut of this file and putting it on your desktop. NOTE: For xNVSE to take effect, you'll need to launch New Vegas with the nvse_loader.exe file that comes with this mod. The download page has installation instructions. This mod extends the scripting capabilities of the vanilla game, which is necessary for making many popular mods work. Next up, you'll want the newest version of the New Vegas Script Extender, or xNVSE. If desired, you can override LOOT's optimization to make manual tweaks to your load order yourself (this shouldn't be necessary for the mods in this list). This program automatically reorganizes your load order to make it as stable as possible. A great tool to pair with your mod manager is the Load Order Optimization Tool, or LOOT.

This will allow New Vegas to read and accept any texture mods you install (we'll get to those later). Then go to Settings > Workarounds > BSA Redirection and toggle it. After installing it, log in, and select New Vegas as the game you're modding. I highly recommend Vortex since it has a great UI and is very easy to use. These tools automatically handle most mods' installation, so you don't have to dig around in-game files - simply drag-and-drop compressed mod files, and the mod manager will do the rest. The first thing you need is a Nexus Mods account, the website where most mods are posted. VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more
