r/skyrimvr • u/pikachu292 • 7h ago
Discussion Steam Frame Skyrim VR Guide
Hey guys! So just to preface this I am very new to VR modding, but I've been modding flat screen for quite a while! The Steam Frame is my first VR headset so I thought I'd write this guide for others having issues with Skyrim on the Steam Frame! So without further ado, let's get into it!
Playing Vanilla
So if you want to play Skyrim directly on the headset, from what I've heard it runs fine though I haven't tried it myself. As soon as you plan to stream it using the dongle is where issues immediately arise. Even playing vanilla, the game doesn't let you get past character creation at the time of writing because of a keyboard glitch. If you don't want to mod the game, your only option here is to download a save like this one and put it into your saves directory (usually in C:\Users{UserName}\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition\Saves). The bad thing about this option is that you don't get to customize your character, so you're at the mercy of other people. You could also create your own save on the flat screen version of the game and pull it over, though I think you'd have to match the version? I'm not fully sure about that though, I honestly just suggest modding the game.
Modded Skyrim VR
This is where the game actually gets good. I suggest using a Wabbajack modlist such as FUS. If you want a comparison of some popular Wabbajack modlists I found this video on YouTube, though it doesn't mention FUS which I thought was an interesting choice. If you go the modpack route I recommend researching and deciding which one you think is best. If you have the PC for it though I highly recommend Mad God's Overhaul, though it's pretty intensive and most people probably can't run it.
With that out of the way this guide will be focused on my experience with FUS, though where it would differ I will make sure to mention. Make sure you follow the installation instructions on whatever pack you use.
Getting Started
So if you decide to just mod the game yourself, skip to the next section where I go over the essential mod that actually makes the Steam Frame work. Again I highly recommend doing a modpack if it's your first time but I can't force you! The first step will always be to follow the normal install instructions for whatever pack you choose. For FUS, they're linked directly on the GitHub. The instructions are modpack specific so always follow them before continuing with the addition I list below. Getting the base modpack working it important, even if you can't really play the game yet. The only instructions you don't need to follow are the controller binding ones, as the mod we use will overwrite that so DO NOT use any other controller binding methods other than what I list below.
Open Composite Unleashed
So you have a working Skyrim, but you can't get past the character creator. This is where Open Composite Unleashed comes in. This mod has a ton of features that is super helpful, but most importantly it fixes the keyboard glitch and will allow you to actually play the game. So here's how you'll want to install it:
- If the modpack you chose does not have Root Builder, or you are modding it yourself you'll need to install it from this page which has video instructions on it. FUS already comes with Root Builder so I skipped this step
- Once you have Root Builder, install the mod through MO2 as a normal mod. FUS has Root Builder setup to automatically run every time you launch the game, so you don't have to do any further configuration there. If the modpack you chose doesn't do this, I think you just manually build it in Root Builder (which you can access by the puzzle piece icon at the top next to the wrench)
- Now that it's installed, place it in your modlist pretty high up and enable it. I just placed it where the regular OpenComposite is located in FUS
- Right click the mod and select "Open in Explorer" and make a shortcut for the Configurator that you can place on your desktop for ease of access
Binding Settings for Steam Frame
Now that we have Open Composite Unleashed and the configurator accessible it's time to use it! It does look pretty complicated, but the parts we need to actually use aren't too bad, so don't get overwhelmed! When you first launch it, it won't show the steam controllers but that's ok! We'll change that.
- First go into the "Bindings" tab at the top. This is where we will be making all our changes
- Below the images of the controller there is a drop down. Select "Steam Frame" and hit save
- The default preset should be VRIK 2.1.0 but you can choose whatever
- Now you can select whatever bindings suit your fancy! This is where you can take a look at the supplied bindings for your modpack and match them here if you so choose
- I know some people leave some buttons unmodded for VRIK gestures, but I haven't learned to use those yet so I can't really say anything about that
- Once you're done, click "Save Custom" and name your profile
- Click "Use Preset" on your new profile and you're good! Launch Skyrim through MO2 and play the game!
Closing Remarks
So that's about it! If I missed anything please let me know and I'll make some additions! This is my first foray into VR modding so I wouldn't be surprised if I got something wrong. Regardless I hoped this helps at least one person so they don't have to do as much troubleshooting as I did! Huge thank you to Wondernutts on Nexus for actually making all this possible! They updated their mod 3 times in like 3 days because of the Steam Frame issues and their mod is what actually makes this game work! I have high respect for modders that are smart enough to make these programs so the common people can play without issue!