STEP:Nexus Description/2.2.6

[center][URL=http://forum.step-project.com/][img]http://forum.step-project.com/images/STEP2/STEP_metallic_logo.png[/img][/URL][/center][center][size=4][color=#87CEFA]An enhanced Skyrim experience.[/color][/size][/center]

[color=#87CEFA]STEP is an extensive, STEP-by-STEP, guide to enhancing TESV Skyrim with the best mods, tweaks and settings. The focus is quality over quantity. STEP tries to stay as close to vanilla Skyrim as possible while improving visual quality and fixing game-play mechanics.[/color]

[size=6][b][color=#6D95AB]LATEST NEWS & FUTURE DIRECTION[/color][/b][/size]
[b][size=4]- May 8th, 2013[/size][/b]
STEP v2.2.6 has been released!  Check out the [url=http://wiki.step-project.com/Changelog/2.2.6]changelog[/url] for details on how to update.  

The next release of STEP, version 2.3.0, will be a [b]major release[/b] that includes significant changes to the way STEP is currently being delivered. We will introduce "Core STEP" in the strictest sense, according to the [url=http://wiki.step-project.com/STEP:2.2.5#STEP_Mandate]STEP Mandate[/url]. Although most of STEP adheres to the Mandate, there are some inconsistencies that we feel should be excluded from the base installation of STEP in order to maximize effect, whilst minimizing and simplifying the process of installing Core STEP. Additionally, to allow more options for our users, version 2.3.0 will be our first iteration of Core STEP with "Packs" (optional mod compilations that follow a specific theme and function). Packs do not necessarily adhere to the full STEP Mandate, so these will be of interest to more advanced modders and those that want to affect various types and degrees of change to the vanilla Skyrim experience.

For the past year one of our veteran community contributors, Neovalen, has been working on integrating an extensive mod setup using advanced techniques and detailed installation guidelines. His project is called Skyrim Revisited (SR), and it uses almost all of the Core STEP mods plus many additional mods in order to yield his own version of a more balanced, realistic and immersive Skyrim experience than that of vanilla Skyrim. In a nutshell, Core STEP enhances, improves and corrects the vanilla experience of Skyrim for the PC, whilst SR additionally overhauls the game to provide the "SR experience," one man's unique vision of what Skyrim should be. SR can be thought of itself as an extensive "Pack," but v2.3.0 will be the launch of much more than this. The next release of STEP will mark the beginning of many parallel projects to "customize" Skyrim in a variety of ways using the testing and collaborative development infrastructure that we have built (and continue to develop) on the STEP Community web site.

Core STEP will always be available for purists and modders that either do not want to change the style and gameplay of vanilla Skyrim or that lack the time, patience or technical aptitude required to extensively modify the game. However, STEP will begin evolving into an applied community-mod-integration environment using the Nexus and other modding communities as a source to produce STEP Packs, yielding many pre-constructed options and overhauls built to articulate with Core STEP for Skyrim. The project scope is still in an early stage of development, so we do not have an ETA for 2.3.0, but keep you eye on the project for updates. 

[color=#e6b69e][b]We also want to remind everybody who may not be aware that by registering on our forums you will be notified of all future STEP releases immediately via email.  This is done as a helpful reminder for those who may not visit the Nexus often but wish to keep STEP up to date and is entirely optional.[/b][/color]

[size=4][color=#fb2]STEP versioning is as follows:
[i]{Major.Minor.Build{.revision}}[/i][/color] - resolves to: #.#.#x[/size]
[list][*] Specifically, Build version updates will occur every fourth weekend (usually on Sunday evening, United States time).
[*] [color=#efdf78][b]Build updates are optional for current STEP users[/b][/color], but should require very little effort.
[*] Build updates are 'safe' to apply to existing characters and save games.
[*] Minor version updates will occur irregularly as deemed appropriate, according to the more pronounced effect of cumulative Build changes (at least once every 10 months). Minor updates may or may not require starting a new game.
[*] Major version updates will occur only as a result of a major paradigm shift either in Skyrim source code, mod development, or STEP itself. Major updates will almost definitely require a fresh STEP install and a brand new game.[/list]
[i]We strongly recommend using Wrye Bash or Mod Organizer for mod management.  The ability to easily re-order, add, and remove mods will be essential to keeping STEP up to date and getting the best results.[/i]

[line]
[center][size=5]-> [b][url=http://forum.step-project.com]STEP Forums[/url][/b] <-[/size]
[size=5]-> [b][url=http://wiki.step-project.com/Changelog]Changelog[/url][/b] <-[/size]
[size=5]-> [b][url=http://forum.step-project.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3]Bug Reports[/url][/b] <-[/size]
[size=5]-> [b][url=http://www.facebook.com/pages/STEP-Skyrim-Total-Enhancement-Project/175289219235392]Facebook[/url][/b] <-[/size][/center][line]
[size=5][color=#6D95AB]STEP Mandate[/color][/size]

[size=4][color=#7AB0CE]Core STEP is about [i]enhancing vanilla Skyrim[/i] for the PC ...[/color][/size]
[list][*] Texture replacements at minimized performance cost and true to vanilla Skyrim
[*] Continuity of all in-game textures (i.e., comparable resolution and style across all armors, weapons, clutter, terrain, etc.)
[*] Graphical mods (ESPs) including new content and effects that "fit" vanilla Skyrim
[*] Gameplay & sound mods that improve the consistency and the perceived intent of vanilla Skyrim
[*] Interface mods that improve the menus and UI.
[*] Fix mods that truly "fix" malfunctioning aspects of vanilla Skyrim.[/list]
[size=4][color=#7AB0CE]STEP is NOT about ...[/color][/size]
[list][*] Content mods that conflict with vanilla Skyrim and/or TES lore
[*] Mods that change the perceived intent of vanilla Skyrim
[*] Sex mods or female body replacement mods
[*] Music replacement mods
[*] Gameplay overhauls[/list][line]
[size=5][color=#6D95AB]Performance, Baseline & Extreme STEP[/color][/size]
STEP provides an enhanced vanilla experience by utilizing a minimum or “Core” set of game enhancements adhering to the original vanilla feel of the game according to the STEP Mandate. All Core mods are considered essential to all STEP "versions". Non-Core mods are optional but highly recommended. STEP versions are delineated at three levels according to relative performance impacts:

[size=4][color=#C8BE78]Performance STEP[/color][/size] - Core mods only; performance options wherever possible.
[color=#E6B69E][i]My poor box needs all of the mercy that I can spare it, but I must have STEP![/i][/color]

[size=4][color=#82BE78]Baseline STEP[/color][/size] - Core and non-Core mods; performance/quality and balanced options wherever possible.
[color=#E6B69E][i]My box is decent, but I hate even the tiniest FPS drops and stuttering![/i][/color]

[size=4][color=#78afe1]Extreme STEP[/color][/size] - Core and non-Core mods; highest-quality options wherever possible.
[color=#E6B69E][i]My box is omnipotent![/i][/color][line]
Currently STEP is mostly focused on graphics, interface and polishing/refining the gameplay with bugfixes and small tweaks. STEP also does extensive reliability and compatibility testing and will be including optional gameplay packs in the future. If you have reached the point where you are able to do your own reliability and compatibility testing and are also interested in additional and deeper gameplay mods, check this out:

[URL=http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23826][img]http://www.skyrimgems.com/images/gems_logo_600.png[/img][/URL][line]
[size=5][color=#6D95AB]User Contributions - [b]How YOU Can Help[/b][/color][/size]
STEP can only get bigger and better with help from the user community. Even simply maintaining the current STEP is too much work for the core STEP team to ensure that the highest quality is maintained. We need people to help us identify mods that are thought to improve Skyrim while adhering to the STEP Mandate. We also need ongoing reviews and updates on mods that may be causing problems or that stray from the STEP philosophy. Finally, we need help from the community in terms of testing, benchmarking and analysis.

In order to suggest a mod, visit the [url=http://forum.step-project.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=43]Mod Suggestions[/url] section of the STEP Forums.[line]
[size=4][color=#9BC1D5][u]Call for Wiki Content Editors [/u][/color][/size]
The STEP Community Wiki is open to editing by all registered community members; however, we need assistance [url=http://forum.step-project.com/showthread.php?tid=1241&pid=16772#pid16772]maintaining and creating new supporting content[/url]. We are particularly interested in obtaining a few people with a passion for writing and editing. Familiarity with wiki markup is preferable but not necessary. Interested parties please contact one of the STEP Admin (Farlo, z929669 and/or stoppingby4now) via PM on the forums (Please register on the forums and [url=http://forum.step-project.com/showteam.php]see the very bottom of the Forum Team page[/url]).

[size=4][color=#9BC1D5][u]Call for STEP Mod Testers [/u][/color][/size]
STEP users interested in becoming testers, please contact one of the STEP Admin (Farlo, z929669 and/or stoppingby4now) via PM on the forums (Please register on the forums and [url=http://forum.step-project.com/showteam.php]see the very bottom of the Forum Team page[/url]). Once registered, [url=http://wiki.step-project.com/STEP:Main]your system specs[/url] by clicking on the button and filling out the form. These specs will be associated with performance data by tester.

[size=4][color=#9BC1D5][u]Call for STEP Benchmarks [/u][/color][/size]
Users interested in helping out with the STEP Benchmarking Project, see our [url=http://wiki.step-project.com/STEP:2.2.1#1.D._Performance_Benchmarking]benchmarking guidelines[/url] and submit results on the forums (see link at upper left of site header bar).

[size=4][color=#9BC1D5][u]Call for Forum Moderators [/u][/color][/size]
Regular STEP forum users interested in becoming moderators, please contact one of the STEP Admin (Farlo, z929669 and/or stoppingby4now) via PM on the forums (Please register on the forums and [url=http://forum.step-project.com/showteam.php]see the very bottom of the Forum Team page[/url]).[line]
[size=5][color=#6D95AB]Special Credits[/color][/size]
[color=#CCC]The STEP administrators would sincerely like to thank (from the bottoms of our fuzzy little hearts):[/color]
[list][*] The authors of mods recommended in STEP
[*] The core STEP Community for feedback, suggestions and input
[*] The STEP beta testers ... for their good humor and rigorous analyses
[*] The Nexus community
[*] Bealdwine, frihyland & EisDrache- site founders on indefinite leave (we hope you guys are well!)
[*] Outstanding v2.2.6 contributors - EssArrBee, gamingsrc, Omalong, Quitch, rpsgc, W3aponiz3d, Wormheart, and many others.
[*] Bethesda Softworks for Skyrim (and TES in general)[/list]
[size=4][color=#6D95AB]Site Donors[/color][/size]
We have had a handful of generous user donations in support of the STEP Community website. Most have not left their STEP user names, so they shall remain anonymous:
[list][*] geeee785
[*] Lauren
[*] solist
[*] 24 anonymous persons[/list]
[size=3][color=#8DABBC]The core STEP team is:[/color][/size]
[list][*] [color=#e6b69e]Farlo[/color] - Mediawiki developer & extraordinaire, Mod-list co-compiler, forums admin, site founder
[*] [color=#e6b69e]MontyMM[/color] - Solutions developer (Semi-Automatic STEP), site founder
[*] [color=#e6b69e]stoppingby4now[/color] - Main site developer, Semantic Mediawiki developer & extraordinaire, site founder
[*] [color=#e6b69e]TheCompiler[/color] - STEP creator, mod-list extraordinaire
[*][color=#e6b69e]z929669[/color] - Wiki & forums content editor, main site administrator, hosting maintenance, site founder
[*] [url=http://forum.step-project.com/showthread.php?tid=2086]STEP Forum moderators[/url]: rootsrat, torminater[/list]
[size=3][color=#8DABBC]... and please welcome our newest staff, whose roles are still evolving:[/color][/size]
[list][*] [color=#e6b69e]Eliian[/color] (Previously, a Mod Testor and prevalent STEP contributor)
[*] [color=#e6b69e]Kelmych[/color] (Previously, one of our moderators and significant contributor to the wiki and support forums)
[*] [color=#e6b69e]kryptopyr[/color] (Respected mod author and site contributor)
[*] [color=#e6b69e]Neovalen[/color] (Skyrim Revisited author & modding aficionado)
[*] [color=#e6b69e]techangel85[/color] (Previously, also a moderator and significant contributor to the wiki and support forums)
[*] [color=#e6b69e]Solist[/color] (A respected contributor to Skyrim Revisited and an honored STEP supporter)
[*] [color=#e6b69e]Vond[/color] (A long time member of the STEP community with many contributions)
[*] [color=#e6b69e]WilliamImm[/color] (BOSS Masterlist contributor and compulsive mod author/patch-BCF creator)[/list]

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