Personal Nitpicks

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Start of Thread: 1/24/2017

I love TTW. There are some things that bugged me about it recently. This is a list of things that I would like to see implemented into TTW or suggestions I have for TTW developers. 

Just know I don't know much about mod development or creation. I literally just downloaded the G.E.C.K for the first time a couple of days ago. Take whatever I say with a grain of salt.

 

1. TTW isn't its own application.

What does this mean? TTW goes through the Fallout: New Vegas Launcher, so it's been weird for me. I think a possible way to improve this feature would be to create a TTW Launcher that loads necessary files when present ( worse idea ) or to physically fuse the games together into a new thing which contains Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 3, so if a few mods really mess up your files ( like what happened to me ), uninstalling and reinstalling won't goof up TTW. I really hated how those bread crumbs stuck around in my game files. I think this would be possible, but not easy, and could help people like me ( who download tons of mods in a spree ) not have their games completely ruined by too many breadcrumbs ( we're talking in the piles. I had too many mods. ). The new game could rely on files from the other games, but wouldn't depend on bread crumb files, like the textures from the 50,000 mods I downloaded and then removed because I didn't feel like using them.

Update: 1/26/2017

I won't be downloading TTW again until I can figure out a way to play each game separately. I've been reading the comments, but don't be too harsh. After all, I said " Take whatever I say with a grain of salt. " ( This means that I say things that may be too optimistic and expecting. But I believe anything is possible with a little bit of programming. ( I mean look at how far we've come! We literally fused two games together in a mostly immersive way! ) So I understand it would have to be a completely new game, but if there was an option in the New Vegas Menu . . . that would be interesting. ) Also, no. I won't delete the text above. If anyone wants to read this, they are free to and if my opinions are common, it may spark a conversation. I don't want to delete any of these things. It actually might be something I'll update often, if I feel like it. You can expect a large update coming soon for this post. No promises.

Update: 2/7/2017

I tried to download TTW, but it's too time consuming for me. I just don't have time to download the giant files and completely redo pretty much everything for New Vegas. Please give me an abridged version of the installation guide if you have time. I just don't understand. I'm going to start focusing on creating my game and Photoshopping stuff, so TTW can wait until it won't take forever to figure out. I'd really love to play TTW. Just saying. 

To be continued, my friends. Do not wait on me, because the continuation may not even happen. (Because I'm lazy)

 

 

[Damianwolff]

When you consider how TTW is technically, don't forget that it is years in the making, and that most folder architecture and launcher ideas probably have been discussed long ago. So the changes you are asking for are both unlikely and unnecessary.

The specific modding problems you seem to be referring to, that your suggestion would fix for you, stem not from ineffective TTW design, but rather from lack of "modding hygene", so to speak.

Most gamers, who mod and play Bethesda games, know that it is entirely possible to be clean and efficient in instalation of mods, and that it is a skill that pays off. Moreso, "modding sprees" are not your friend, and will almost always lead to a corrupt save sooner or later. By the time you intend to have your serious playthrough, I'd advise you to have a rigid loadout of mods which will more or less stay the same throughout the 100-200 hours you put into TTW.

Sure, not everyone does this, it is always hard to resist the temptation, but, as a result, a lot of playthroughs end with CTDs and corrupt saves.

Ultimately, my advice to you is to work on your "modding hygene", cut down on the amount of mods, and don't install mods on a whim, or for the sake of a one-time giggle. TTW as it is currently is already more stable and mod-friendly then Oblivion and Skyrim. No need to push it past its quite broad limits.

[Risewild]

Due to the age and game engine, what you suggest is impossible. TTW is a Fallout New Vegas mod and can't be made into a standalone game. It has to be played from inside Fallout New Vegas just like any other mod.

Mods are optional and not part of the actual game, they are made by talented fans of the games and so it is up to the user (who download, install and play the mods) to have proper "mod hygiene", this means that it is the user responsibility to keep their game clean and in order during and after using any mod. There is not an easy or automatic way of doing this (otherwise everyone would be using it already).

I heard that Mod Organizer allows profiles and uses external/virtual directories for mods, so maybe you should look into that, it might make it easier to manage your mods. I also heard it is not easy to learn how to use it, but I never used it myself so I can't be sure.

Like DamianWolff said, Bethesda games should not be modded on whims, you need to have a particular mod selection you have active when you play them and shouldn't deviate much from that, also have to pay attention because some mods will not work with other mods and compatibility, etc. I heard that Skyrim might be a bit better at managing multiple mods that are installed during gameplay and removed and stuff like that. But Fallout New Vegas is way older and uses a less polished/updated engine so it is a no go for it. I heard it wrong!

[catcameback]

What do you use instead of Mod Organizer, Risewild? Nexus Mod Manager? I actually thought Mod Organizer was the go to for Fallout NV.

[RoyBatty]

A lot of us use FOMM because MO has issues with archive invalidation and large amounts of loose files.

[TAWM]

[quote=Risewild]

 

Due to the age and game engine, what you suggest is impossible. TTW is a Fallout New Vegas mod and can't be made into a standalone game. It has to be played from inside Fallout New Vegas just like any other mod.

Mods are optional and not part of the actual game, they are made by talented fans of the games and so it is up to the user (who download, install and play the mods) to have proper "mod hygiene", this means that it is the user responsibility to keep their game clean and in order during and after using any mod. There is not an easy or automatic way of doing this (otherwise everyone would be using it already).

I heard that Mod Organizer allows profiles and uses external/virtual directories for mods, so maybe you should look into that, it might make it easier to manage your mods. I also heard it is not easy to learn how to use it, but I never used it myself so I can't be sure.

Like DamianWolff said, Bethesda games should not be modded on whims, you need to have a particular mod selection you have active when you play them and shouldn't deviate much from that, also have to pay attention because some mods will not work with other mods and compatibility, etc. I heard that Skyrim might be a bit better at managing multiple mods that are installed during gameplay and removed and stuff like that. But Fallout New Vegas is way older and uses a less polished/updated engine so it is a no go for it.

[/quote]

 

I use Mod Organizer and my thoughts on the matter of it's diffculty in use are this.  If you are capable of using the GECK to make simple mods ie dropping weapons outside of Vault 101 or changing Karma on character than you are capable of using Mod Organizer to run Tale of Two Wastelands effectively.  Plenty of tutorials on youtube about setting up Tale of Two Wastelands using Mod Organizer.  If you go through the proper steps it's not very difficult.     

[Risewild]

[quote=thatcatcameback]

 

What do you use instead of Mod Organizer, Risewild? Nexus Mod Manager? I actually thought Mod Organizer was the go to for Fallout NV.

[/quote]

Just like RoyBatty said. I use FOMM like I always did.

I don't need to use Mod Organizer because I don't use mods with TTW (except DarnUi and MCM) and I don't play Fallout New Vegas by itself.

No mods means always a nice and clean TTW install, and yet from time to time I nuke my install delete everything (FNV and TTW) and reinstall Fallout New Vegas and TTW.

[catcameback]

Ah, I've never run into any problems while using it. I've been fortunate, I bet. You guys probably are right, since you all are so much more into the technical side.

[Damianwolff]

[quote=Risewild]

 

I heard that Skyrim might be a bit better at managing multiple mods that are installed during gameplay and removed and stuff like that. But Fallout New Vegas is way older and uses a less polished/updated engine so it is a no go for it.

[/quote]

I'd say Skyrim is actually worse when it comes to modding a game during play. New Vegas, F3, and even oblivion are much more tolerant to having mods installed and then uninstalled. I don't know how Skyrim handles scripts, but it doesn't handle a lot of mods with scripts very well. Also, it is much easier to ruin your game (and not just a save) when modding Skyrim then when modding Fallouts.

[Damianwolff]

Yup. Those are four rules that are a must-know, but which everybody break regardless.