Skyrim development tools being handed to gamers

Any PC gamers interested in playing with Bethesda Softworks’ development tools, as used to create their hit game Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, will get their opportunity in the new year.

The official Bethesda Softworks blog has revealed that these tools will be released to the general public in the form of a Creation Kit, in January 2012. The tools will help users to ‘mod’ the game, introducing elements of their own, and tweaking existing  features, which can then be shared with the community.

Even without the Creation Kit, the Skyrim community has begun successful modding (slang for modifying) of the game, with texture packs, translucent horses, giant chickens and, somewhat inevitably, naked ladies already doing the rounds.

Valve’s Steam Workshop is going to be integrated into the Creation Kit, making it easier than ever before for the community to share its work. As reported on the blog “You’ll have free user content with the push of a button. The Creation Kit will bundle your mod and upload it to the Workshop, where everyone can browse, rate, and flag mods for download.” Bethesda go on to note that you will be able to do this from any web enabled device, including your smartphone.

Skyrim has had a strong opening few weeks, with over 7 million copies being shipped to stores. Bethesda Softworks is now visibly supporting its game post-release, with Patch 1.2 arriving this week, addressing some control and gameplay issues. The blog states that a further incremental patch will be coming out next week, that will fix issues like magic not calculating properly. It should also kill off the “rare, amazing backwards flying dragon” that has been recently sighted in the game.