community, version 1.10.163 is widely considered the "gold standard" for PC modding, as it remains the most stable version for established mod lists and complex script-based mods. While Bethesda's "Next-Gen" (NG) updates (1.10.1984 and later) added some built-in content and native widescreen support, they also broke many essential Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE)
dependent mods and introduced performance stutters for some users. Nexus Mods Forums Why 1.10.163 is Often Better Maximum Mod Compatibility
: The vast majority of legacy mods, particularly those requiring F4SE (like Extended Dialogue Interface ), were built for 1.10.163.
: Many players report fewer crashes and "stuttering" issues compared to the Next-Gen update. Fallout London Support : The massive total conversion mod Fallout: London
officially recommends downgrading to 1.10.163 for the best experience. GOG Version Consistency : The version of Fallout 4 sold on
is pinned to 1.10.163, providing an "offline installer" experience free from forced Steam updates. Nexus Mods Forums How to Maintain or Revert to 1.10.163
If you are currently on the Next-Gen version but want to return to the 1.10.163 "Old Gen" state: Use a Downgrade Tool : Most users prefer the Fallout 4 Downgrader
on Nexus Mods, which automates the process of rolling back your Steam files. Lock Your Version : To prevent Steam from auto-updating back to Next-Gen: Set the game to "Only update this game when I launch it" in Steam properties. Always launch the game via f4se_loader.exe rather than the Steam "Play" button. appmanifest_377160.acf in your SteamApps folder. Address Next-Gen Content : If you want the new "Next-Gen" quests (like Enclave Remnants ) without the broken engine updates, you can use the Backport Support mods to run that content on 1.10.163.
Are you looking to downgrade a current installation, or are you setting up a fresh mod list from scratch?
Version 1.10.163 is the Gold Standard for Modding For many veteran wastelanders, the v1.10.163 patch of
—often referred to as "Old Gen"—remains the definitive version of the game. Despite Bethesda's release of the "Next-Gen" update (v1.10.984 and later), a significant portion of the community continues to downgrade their game or refuse to update. fallout 4 patch 110163 better
This article explores why this specific version is considered "better" and why it remains the foundation for the most stable and ambitious modding projects. 1. Unmatched Mod Compatibility
The primary reason version 1.10.163 is preferred is its ironclad compatibility with the Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) and the thousands of mods that depend on it.
Legacy Support: Many of the game's most essential mods were built and perfected over years on v1.10.163. Some authors have retired, meaning their mods will never be updated for Next-Gen versions. Fallout London : The massive total conversion mod, Fallout London
, relies on v1.10.163 for its stability and extensive feature set, making a downgrade mandatory for anyone wanting to play it. 2. Superior Stability and Performance
While the "Next-Gen" update promised better performance, many players reported new bugs, broken ultra-wide support, and frequent crashes on modern hardware.
Buffout 4 & Optimization: Version 1.10.163 has access to a mature suite of optimization tools like Buffout 4, High FPS Physics Fix, and Boston FPS Fix. These mods solve engine-level issues more effectively than Bethesda's official patches have to date.
Broken DLC on Newer Versions: Reports persist of DLC and Creation Club content failing to load or crashing on newer versions, especially on consoles and certain PC configurations. 3. Freedom from "Forced" Content
The Next-Gen update automatically injects new Creation Club content (like the Enclave Remnants) into your save file.
Balance Issues: Critics argue this content is "under-cooked," often triggering high-level combat encounters (like Enclave ambushes) for low-level players far too early in the game.
Clean Slate: Using v1.10.163 allows players to use tools like CCCleaner to keep their main menu and quest logs free of advertisements and unwanted "cash-grab" quests. 4. Mature Mod Collections community, version 1
If you are looking for a "one-click" overhauled experience, the best Wabanajak and Nexus Collections are almost exclusively built for v1.10.163. Immersive Overhauls: Collections like Wasteland Warfare
transform the game into a hardcore survival experience similar to STALKER or Tarkov, a level of complexity that is currently difficult to achieve on newer, less stable versions. Summary: The Verdict
While Bethesda’s newer updates offer "official" support for modern consoles, the PC community has found that v1.10.163 provides a more customizable, stable, and feature-rich experience. For anyone serious about modding their game into something truly unique, "Old Gen" is still king.
[RU/ENG] Откат до 1.10.163 (Downgrade) - Steam Community
If you need a detailed file-by-file changelog (complete list of fixed script IDs, crash IDs, and exact quest stages modified), tell me and I’ll provide an expanded technical changelog.
Starting with version , often called the "Pre-Next Gen" version, many
players consider it superior for modding compared to the newer "Next Gen" (NG) updates (v1.10.1984 and later) Nexus Mods Forums Why Version 1.10.163 is Often Preferred For PC players, staying on or downgrading to
is widely seen as the "better" choice for a stable modding experience for the following reasons: Mod Compatibility : Most complex mods—especially those relying on the Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE)
—were built specifically for this version. Updates often break these mods, and not all authors have updated their work for the Next Gen version. Stability and Customization
: While the Next Gen update added native widescreen support and some Creation Club content, it also introduced new bugs and "vandalized" established load orders for veteran players. The "GOG" Advantage The Script Extender Issue Whenever Bethesda updates the
: The GOG version of Fallout 4 remains "up to date" at version
, meaning it avoids the automatic updates that frequently break mods on Steam. Nexus Mods Forums How to Achieve a "Better" Setup
If you want to use version 1.10.163 for a superior modding experience, follow these steps:
Whenever Bethesda updates the executable of the game, it breaks the Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE). F4SE is the backbone for thousands of the best mods, including inventory sorting, dialogue UI changes, and complex gameplay overhauls.
When Patch 1.10.163 dropped, it broke F4SE. This resulted in immediate panic for PC players who had modded games heavily reliant on plugins that extend the script capabilities.
The Good News: The F4SE team is legendary for their speed. Within 24 to 48 hours, an updated version of the Script Extender was available.
The Bad News: Many mods that rely on specific version numbers or older engine quirks remained broken for weeks. For players with massive "modlists" (collections of 200+ mods), this update effectively killed their save files until mod authors returned to update their files.
One of the quietest but most frustrating changes in post-1.10.163 updates is the forced TAA (Temporal Anti-Aliasing) implementation. Bethesda adjusted the rendering pipeline to favor softness over stability.
For screenshot artists and those who prefer a gritty, sharp wasteland, 1.10.163 provides the cleaner canvas.