ESP/ESM files?

F

flyme

First time out of the vault
hi,

i'm new to modding with elder scrolls type games. I've noticed several mods recently and they're all about ESP (elder scroll philez? yeah i know i'm phishing for info here) and ESM (elder scrolls <blank>) files.

what are they? is there some sort of decoder.. and if so what data file is decoded to get values that can be changed, and are they key=values?

or are they just saved settings of console tweaks? (probably a thread with a list of those right?). looking at the binary file in a text and hex it looks as if several lines are console commands, but tbh i've only played to the 10th birthday grow up sequence on the PC and haven't experimented at all with the console (but played it on 360)

and another thing, how did anyone know that simply placing those files in the data directory would get them to load?

tia for any info about this
 
elder scrolls games morrowind and up are built via a modular system. the esm's are the base documents containing the basic data for the entire game(not the graphics, or sound, but things like items, maps and so on). esp's are files that are not required for game functionality but are modules that add or adjust things in the game. when you get a mod for oblivion or morrowind you always activate it by selecting the corrisponding esp in the data files menu in the game launcher.

many people believe that the halflife serries is the most modded series of games in history but the truth is that because of the modular nature of bethesda's latest engines the elder scrolls blow every other game on the market out of the water.

added: anyway welcome to the modding fold friend. im not too good with what is currently required to mod fo3(hex editing and the like) because it lacks the standard elder scroll construction set, however im a old school modder who's been doing work since the hayday of tfc on everything from hl1, unreal tournament to even empire earth. if you need some help, primarily with the graphics end of things i might be able to help you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top