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General discussionDoes GOG Skyrim work without steam?(22 posts)(22 posts)
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Posted April 28, 2023
That's a relief to hear. I install my mods with Mod Organizer, so Vortex won't be a problem. Sounds like I have a big chore ahead of me, but it's doable. Thanks for the replies. I wanted to hear from people who had actually tried using GOG Skyrim themselves, since I've had some troubles with other GOG games (Stellaris) that shouldn't have come up.
Post edited April 28, 2023 by Darcaan2022
Posted April 28, 2023
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Darcaan2022: I am concerned with how GOG Skyrim works with mods. My current Skyrim build has hundreds of them, representing a very large time investment, one of the major reasons I'm furious with Steam for taking my game away from me. So I want to know if I can start again with GOG Skyrim, and ditch Steam forever. I am SO glad I only ever got the one game from them. Hearing about the different version numbers is upsetting, though.
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AB2012: I'm running the GOG version just fine with SKSE, SkyUI, etc, and most other Nexus mods. Skyrim (GOG) has a different GOG version precisely because it's a different build (no DRM'd Creation Club). The "my mods don't work" issue Ancient-Red-Dragon has it that some Mod Packs (where 1,000 mods are pre-packaged into one) don't work because they were hard-coded to specific Steam versions - but that's the fault of the Mod Pack creator as Steam has also broken compatibility with same mod packs before when the game was upgraded over there. Mod Packs are also notoriously flaky in that one upgraded mod can break another but since they're all bundled together it's 1000x harder to troubleshoot.

As described previously, the SKSE for the GOG version was available virtually from day 1. The biggest difference you need to be aware of is the cause of "Nexus Vortex didn't install them properly" was that the GOG version uses a different folder name:-

Config & Save Location:-

Steam : %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition

changed to...

GOG : %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition GOG

And for the Mod Load File (plugins.txt) Location:-

Steam : %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Skyrim Special Edition

changed to...

GOG : %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Skyrim Special Edition GOG

ie, the fix for things like Nexus Vortex not 'seeing' the GOG mods (which may have since been updated anyway) was just to copy the files from the Steam to the GOG location (same name with " GOG" suffix). If you're installing mods manually (as I do) there never really was any issue and both the game and most mods work fine, installed 100% offline with zero client or Internet connection.
Do you know offhand if Fnis works with the Gog version of Skyrim? Fnis checks for "a valid steam version install" (whatever that entails).
Posted April 28, 2023
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drrhodes: Do you know offhand if Fnis works with the Gog version of Skyrim? Fnis checks for "a valid steam version install" (whatever that entails).
If you're referring to this, then sorry I've no idea and I don't use that one. It's sounds broken by design though if the (now 72 year old) mod creator both hard-coded it to specific Steam-only versions and also retired from developing it 3 years ago (reading the top post in the "Posts" section).
Post edited April 28, 2023 by AB2012
Posted April 29, 2023
Purchased Skyrim SE Anniversary.
Uninstalled Steam Version.
Installed GoG Version.
Copied game saves from Steam directory.
BAM ! Everything works great, no launcher of either.

Don't install your GoG version in Steam Folders, not necessary and moronic.
Don't overthink and do stupid things, keep it simple first, if something goes bonkers then ask for help FIRST. Much easier to deal with a setup error than with someone who purposely screwed something up.
Learn how to make shortcuts or copy the damn shortcut GoG puts in all their games' main directory to desktop and you will never use the GoG Launcher.

PS: Do delete the old shortcuts for Skyrim wherever you put them.
Post edited April 29, 2023 by AS882010M0
Posted April 29, 2023
(gestures around the room) umm yes, that's why we're here.
Posted April 29, 2023
For the Steam version of Skyrim all you need to do is use Steamless to make it run without Steam.
If you are worried about legality (which you shouldn't be for your purchased game) then this is allowed as per the DMCA (as long as the DMCA applies in your country) since the copyright owner by dropping support will not be able to "effectively control" or "effectively protect" this "complete game".
See https://github.com/vogonsorg/OfflineGames for details

Keep in mind that some idiotic mod authors choose to rely on DRM so for things like skyse you'll need to use SmartSteamEmu (SSE) instead of steamless on your steam copy to run the game without Steam if those mods require Steam.....at least until someone removes the DRM requirement from those mods heh.
Post edited April 29, 2023 by DosFreak
Posted April 29, 2023
I haven't seen it mentioned, so just be aware the GOG version comes without the Skyrim Creation Kit. I hope we get it. But yeah, otherwise, it works absolutely fine without Steam or Galaxy.
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General discussionDoes GOG Skyrim work without steam?(22 posts)(22 posts)
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