This weekend, I rebuilt my Fallout 4 setup. I updated to the latest version the “A Storywealth” (aSW) mod collection and started a new playthrough – again. Why? Well, I can say it was because I made mistakes in my existing playthrough. I can say the further I progressed, the more these mistakes bothered me. I can say it was because the new version of aSW was available. All of these statements are true. But the real reason is I wanted a clean start for screen archery, settlement building, recruitment of the level-four vendors, posts for this blog, and to get information for a story that my buddy Jeff and I are working on.

I can also tell you that I’ve made my first mistake. Already.

As part of the “information for a story” part, I intended to record the playthrough so that I could refer back to the videos for minute details to be included in the story. It wasn’t until I was halfway through clean up and build of houses for the Quincy Five that I remembered I was going to do that.

I almost reloaded a save.

But I didn’t. (Or I haven’t yet.) I did take some shots of the two homes I put together for Preston and crew. The beginnings of a Sanctuary Hills build that will progress as the story does – as it was intended to.

Looking at the picture below, you’ll see these houses – the first two non-ruined houses on the left side of the Sanctuary Hills road as you leave the Old North Bridge heading toward the cul-de-sac – and what I’ve done to the area as part of the “Sanctuary” quest.

I’ll put a gallery of screenshots of what I’ve done at the end of this post. But all of this was done to complete the quest given by Sturgis. Nothing fancy and nothing permanent. In fact, the way I’m thinking right now, this entire section of Sanctuary won’t be touched again except to role-play scavenging it for materials to use in the real build. Unless I change my mind (because that never happens), the real build will be focused on the cul-de-sac and the riverfront.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the screenshots. I hope I can stay on course, and I hope you’ll come along for the ride.

Every time I return to Fallout 4 (FO4), I rush to get building settlements and burn out in a few days. This has happened more than once, and it will probably happen again (and again) before Elder Scrolls 6 or Fallout 5 ever make it into production. This time has been different, so far. I started this playthough with a “mod collection” named A Story Wealth (aSW) and several of its “expansions,” and I have really enjoyed just playing the game. I think this is partly due to the fact that it’s been a pretty long time since I ran through the story, and I have forgotten a lot of it. I think the other part of it is that it adds SO MUCH STUFF that I’m always running into something new.

All of that said, I have also been using Transfer Settlements (part of an aSW expansion) to build the settlements for me. This isn’t like Sim Settlements 2 (SS2), where I have to follow along the quest to get things done; I push a button and watch a fully fleshed-out settlement appear. This has been very cool, because the list of included blueprints is mostly Fiddleflaps‘ work – scrappy, cramped, little villages. It’s kept me focused on the game for more than 60 levels.

When it came time to do something at the Mechanist’s Lair, however, I decided to build a power armor garage/warehouse/workshop. I’d been collecting power armor with the intent of storing them in the lair.

What you’re about to see is v3 of the build. The other two builds were not finished, they “just didn’t work”. I would get them to a certain stage and run into one problem or another. This was mainly because I kept trying to keep the catwalks that come with the place, somehow incorporating them into the build. The only image I have is this one (from v1):

I had stopped building and continued playing while I tried to come up with something better.

Then I came across this post on “Wonko’s Geekery.” They had stripped the lair bare before building. While I really wanted to keep the catwalks, their build convinced me of two things: One, the catwalks had to go. And two, I needed to start blogging again. So here I am doing both.

I spent the rest of the evening and all of my building time today to get a working layout in place. It’s not finished – not by a long shot – but it’s got a working plan in place. But enough talking, let me show you.

First of all, I’m going to be describing these screenshots based on the orientation of the player standing in the Mechanist’s Control Room looking toward the exit elevator. This is the “front”. “Left” is looking left from there – where the workbench is. “Right” is looking toward the side where the robot workbench is – which I didn’t move.

Looking front, there is a large open workspace. I’m not sure what I’ll put down on the ground level, but I have plenty of room to do it in. All the way in the front, on the left of the door, is a three-story elevator that leads to the “Front Power Armor Storage Unit.” (You should just be able to make it out behind Jezabel.)

Looking front, on the second and third floors are 4 pods for power armors. These are “heavily inspired” by (read that as “completely ripped off from”) Wonko’s build. I could bring many more pods toward the control room if I need to. I think I could even squeeze one more set of pods on either side of these. But I need to be in a desperate place to do so. I think I’ll collect many more sets of power armor as the game continues, but I just don’t know that there will be that many unique examples to put on display. This is what I’m shooting for – only the unique ones. I’ve got plenty of places in my other settlements to store copies or dull T-60 BoS variants.

Just a slightly different view of the lobby and the front storage pods.

This shot is standing in the left doorway, looking toward the right of the lobby on the first level. You can see that I’ve walled off a section of the lobby on the right side for “something”. Wonko had an area for displays of heavy weapons and other guns. I may twist that a little to include all of the stuff that aSW gives you to collect: trading cards, magazines, games, etc. I can include all of those with the vanilla game’s bobbleheads, and armor mannequins or something. I’ll get there.

This is a shot standing in the exit doorway under the front storage pods looking toward the control room – basically a reverse view of the lobby. The front storage pod elevator is just in the frame on the left. As you can see, I’ve used a ton of wood to cover the floor. There was so much unscrappable trash on the floor I couldn’t stand to look at it. The idea of the grated floor pieces over the “lift” gates is to allow them to be used again in the future for something. Just an RP thing.

This shot is taken standing under the right-side storage pods looking toward the left. Not much to see except the wall separating the space from the lobby.

I apologize for the dark spot. I need to add a light here. But you can see the robot workbench just outside the right-hand wall. The only thing that happened to it was that I placed floors down and “popped” it on top of them. It truly is amazing at well full-floor pieces just popped into place without glitching them.

This is a view of the left-hand storage pod area. I know it’s the left, because of the stairs on the left of the image and the space light way up in the rafters on the middle (clean up incoming). No armors in the pods yet, still making sure I’m happy with the arrangement of the pods.

This is a shot of the right-hand storage pods and the elevator. After installing the elevators, I’m not so sure I need them. The stairs shown in this picture and the previous one were afterthoughts, but I may keep them and ditch the elevators. Doing so will give me at least one more storage pod per level. It’s still rolling around in my head.

This is a shot of the five storage units directly under the control room. Again, “heavily inspired” by Wonko. I really hope they don’t get angry with me for ripping their work off.

Just closer images of the four sets of power armor under the control room.

To the left of the control room, I set up a place to build/repair power armor sets from the pieces I collect on my adventures. Sometimes I get full sets, sometimes I only get a piece. I store the pieces in the toolbox until I get a full set of something, and then put it on a frame for display.

A better view of the left storage pod area.

And the front.

And finally, a “better” view of the stairs I put in on a whim. They may stay or go. Not sure yet. Also, the left storage pods have been reinforced by steel pillars between the floors, not done this anywhere else. Just trying it on for taste. If I decide I like it, I’ll duplicate the work to all the other storage pods.

So to sum it all up, I’m back blogging and building. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’m hoping to continue to build, play and post. Only time will tell if it happens.

However the Unbound project’s main focus isn’t to use the mod’s abilities to customize the game to a specific set of parameters, rather to let it “throw the dice” and pick everything at random.  The rules are simple.  Roll a 10-sided die up to three times to pick the race of the character.  Select that race in the mod and leave everything else set to random.  Tell the mod to “start your adventure” and then role-play through the game with the outcome.  The main purpose being that with so many unknowns, it will bring out more of your imagination and role-playing skills.

Upon the announcement of the project, I immediately said “I’m in”.  I was reconstructing my modded setup anyway, so I added Skyrim Unbound to the list and once that was complete, I started my character.  I followed the rules on all but two ways:  I chose for the character to be male and I selected the character’s appearance.  Everything else was left to the mod to determine.

Well, I was impressed with the mod, but less than impressed with my starting scenario.  Allow me to introduce you to Morgan Teague, my Unbound character:

Yes, the man in the rags is Morgan.  His situation is this:  The start location is an Imperial Camp near the northern coast of Skyrim.  He has nothing save the tattered rags he’s clothed in, a bottle of wine and the Healing spell to begin his journey.  No money, no weapons, no armor, no potions, no food and no shoes.

I almost re-rolled him when I discovered this situation.  But, the more I thought about it, the more I like the idea.  So many things I need to explain, so many more I need to do.  So instead of re-rolling, I’ve decided to run with it.

The last thing I’ll mention in this post is this:  If you look in the upper right of this page, you’ll notice the menu item “UNBOUND”.  That link will take to a section of this blog that will become Morgan’s story.  I’ve been writing a series of journal type entries as if the journal were written by Morgan.  I’ve not settled on that format yet, but I have decided to write this play-through up in some way.  Stay tuned for more on that.

However there is a dark cloud looming on the horizon.  It’s been there with every MMO I have ever played and I fear it’s growing fast over ESO.  That cloud is GREED.

GREED ISSUE No. 1: Subscription

ESO is the first MMO that I have played where a subscription was required.  Even though they say the game is “free to play”, there are certain features that are only unlocked if you subscribe.  The main feature everyone will tout is the Craft Bag.  A place to store all the materials you find on your adventures.  Without the craft bag, there is no easy way to store the materials you need to craft potions or food or armor or weapons.  The way I play, I need this feature.  So I’ve been subscribing – but not in the normal manner.

I’ve been getting around paying month to month by purchasing 60-day playtime cards.  I’ve used the power of Google to find cards at less than normal monthly subscription rate of $15 and keeping my playtime going.  It’s been working great.  Until this past month.  Late in October, I began looking for my next play time card.  They were nowhere to be found.  It’s like they simply disappeared.  I was able to finally get one at Gamestop for basically full subscription price.  My sister bought me another one for my birthday.  So, as I write this, I’m running on less than 120 days of paid subscription.  My fear is that when I’m forced to renew, even the full price cards won’t be available.

I think this has come to the state it is because Zenimax wants everyone on recurring subscription and they have stopped making the pre-paid cards.  Well, there is a problem with this.  Not everyone needs to play the game every day of every month.

To put my situation into perspective, my mind is set on playing Fallout 4 and Skyrim: Special Edition very soon – like around Christmas.  When I turn my attention to those games, I’m probably going to loose myself in them for weeks, if not months, at a time.  ESO will slowly dwindle down to a once a week or less kinda thing for me while I’m off in the Wasteland.  Problem is, when I come back, I think I won’t be able to find the pre-paid and I’ll be forced to sign up for the “proper” subscription.  You see Zenimax, I don’t want to be forced to subscribe, cancel the recurring charge, then come back and resubscribe.  It’s much easier for me to buy the 60-day cards as I need them and just enter a code when I want to play.  And I think I’m not alone.

GREED ISSUE No. 2: Crown Crates

Yesterday Zenimax released Crown Crates in ESO.  Crown Crates are a way to gamble for rewards.  The idea is that every three months or so, there is a season of “special” items available in the crates.  You use real-life money to buy in-game currency called Crowns which you use to buy Crown Crates.  When you open a Crown Crate, you get a series of 4 random items.  These items can be anything from a pool of items, including the special crate-only items mentioned above.  It’s basically the video game version of the Lottery.

When was the last time you won anything on the lottery?  See the problem?

This, for me is very easy to ignore.  I don’t spend a great deal of money on the lottery in the real world, I’m not going to be spending ANY money on the in-game one.  But it points out that Zenimax has, in my mind, turned their eyes firmly onto the pocket-books and wallets of their player base.

GREED My position.

My problem with this is: This is only the beginning, or I think it is.  Every video game company these days wants a steady stream of money coming in on a monthly basis. I understand the need for income – I do work for a service company.

The Crown Crates “feature” brings up a very dark point in my past.  The very first MMO I played – Perfect World International – became the biggest pay to win free-for-all that I’ve experienced.  It got to the point that you couldn’t play the game unless you constantly gave up real-world cash.  I’m ashamed to admit this, but I did it. For a very long time I did.  I lost more than $1000 to that silly cartoony game 5 or 6 years ago.  I’m not going to do it again.

My situation is:  I’ve already paid $60 for this game – actually I paid $60 twice, once when I started with the Imperial Edition and just recently with when I upgraded to the Gold Edition.  I’ve paid another $85 or so in 60-day cards to date – not counting the birthday present.  I’ve done this because the game is good enough that I feel it’s worth it.  I will no doubt pay a few dollars more in the future because I want to continue playing.

That being said, I don’t want the Crown Crates. I don’t want to pay a subscription or at least not on a recurring schedule tied to my debit card.

Here’s what I propose:  How about you continue to make DLC and release them every couple of months and charge $30 or so for them  Make the crafting bag part of the natural inventory system (like it should be).  I’ll pay for additional content – assuming it’s good.  I’ll pay to expand my inventory if I feel it’s needed.  However, I don’t want to pay $15 for a chance to get a horse or a pet cat.  And I don’t want to pay for playtime that I’m not going to use.  I want to continue to play the game with my friends and not get bored.  The DLC contained in the Gold Edition is doing that for me.  The Shadows of the Hist DLC is doing that for me.  The ONLY reason I’m subscribing currently is the craft bag.  If I could find a working alternate for that, I wouldn’t be a subscriber of any kind.  Because I feel that paying for basic inventory space is nonsense.

Your game is the best MMO I’ve played.  Period.  Stop worrying about the monthly cash flow.  Concentrate on making great content, release DLC on a timely schedule and the money will come.  Because people will buy the game and the DLC.  If you’re going to continue the subscription route, then make it accessible to those of us who want to pre-pay for the time that they’ll be playing and not force us to a recurring charge that we’ll forget about or have to struggle with to start and stop.  Make it easy for your customers to do things their way instead of forcing them to your way.  Things will be better for everyone.  And THAT means more money for you in the long run.

I’ve been watching a lot of videos lately about settlement building.  I’ve done so because the play through I’m working at the moment is centered around the Minutemen.  Their goal is to rebuild the Commonwealth and make it a better place, so I’m trying to put myself in that role and build something that accomplishes that and is, at the same time, believable.  So instead of using all my mods that allow me to put in pristine items, I’m focused on “What could I build with just junk and scrap left over after nuclear devastation?” and “How would I do that?”

This power plant is the first step on that path.  Using items from the new Contraptions DLC, an idea from “NoRespawns” on YouTube and a bit of time, I came up a scrappy, possibly believable power generation station.  Obviously, there are some things that simply don’t make sense – like putting 11 gas/diesel powered generators in a (mostly) closed building on top of a ruined house, but this is the Fallout universe we’re talking about here.  If I don’t enclose it, raiders can attack the generators and destroy it with just a few grenades.

Anyway, I hope you like the video.  If you do, be sure to give it a like and visit Davey’s channel and give him a thumbs up as well.

Greygarden.  Early in the morning.  210 years after my world ended.  Hard to believe that after all the devastation,  that the sunrise over Boston still takes my breath.  Even through the early-morning fog, the familiar skyline is there.  210 years hasn’t changed the fact that Boston is home.  I keep finding reasons to try to make it better – for me and everyone else.  Why?  Beats the hell out of me…but a sunrise seems as good a reason as any.

No matter what the situation, the men and women assigned to guard the settlements created by The Minutemen stand vigilant.  Through rain, wind, raider, mutant and ghoul attacks, and even RAD Storms, these chosen few do their jobs and keep the settlements safe.  It takes a special breed of person to commit to something higher than they are.  To stand firm in the face of uncertainty.  To beat back those that would take what they want, just for the sake of taking it.  These men and women were born to be Minutemen.  They were born to protect those that need it.  They were born to man the walls. They were born to follow their General, and play a not-so-small part in the rebuilding of humanity after the Great War.

Are you one such person?  If so, speak up and join The Minutemen!