The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
Publication Information
Developer	Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher	Bethesda Softworks
Game engine	Creation Engine
Release date	October 28th, 2016 November 17th, 2017 (Nintendo Switch)
Genre	Action role-playing, Open world
Modes	Single Player
Rating	ACB: MA15+ BBFC: 15 CERO: Z ESRB: M USK: 16 PEGI: 18
Platform	PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Game Information
Setting	Skyrim
Time Period	4E 201

For the original game, see The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

For the Alexa game, see The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Very Special Edition.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is a 2016 remastered version of the 2011 game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the fifth installment of The Elder Scrolls series. It was released for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 on October 28th, 2016. It was also later released for the Nintendo Switch on November 17th, 2017.

Steam users who already owned all of the game's DLC or owned the Legendary Edition received a free digital copy of the remaster. Like the Legendary Edition, the Special Edition comes with the three DLCs Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn.

On August 19, 2021, Bethesda announced that Special Edition owners would be given free Creation Club mods and other perks accompanying a purchase^{confirmation needed} of the Anniversary Edition, which is set for release on November 11, 2021.

Upgrades

Graphical enhancements

Several graphical features of Skyrim were enhanced with the Special Edition, as follows:

• Remastered art and effects
• Volumetric lighting (“God Rays”)
• Dynamic Depth of Field
• Screen-space reflections
• New snow and water shaders

The Special Edition also offers native 4K support for both PC and the PS4 Pro.

Console mods

In September 2016, Bethesda announced that Sony had blocked user-created mods from coming to the PS4 version of the game. However, in October 2016, they stated that Sony had rescinded their block and would allow the usage of player-made mods in the game, and explained the process by which players could create mods on console:

Mods on PlayStation 4 will allow you to modify and create your own content by using our Creation Kit available here. You will not be able to upload external assets with your PlayStation 4 mods, but you will be able to use any assets that come with the game, as most mods do. By creating a Bethesda.net account, you’ll be able to browse and try mods right from within the game.

Other improvements

Bethesda employee Matt Grandstaff stated on Twitter that the Special Edition would be 64-bit. The Special Edition is also the first game in the series to offer use of the Creation Club to purchase mods licensed by Bethesda.

Reception

The Special Edition did indeed offer slight graphical improvements over the original game, as demonstrated by PC Gamer. As of October 29th, 2016, the game has a 60% ("Mixed") rating on Steam. Many reviewers stated that the game did not perform well on their systems.

On October 28th, 2016, a post on /r/skyrimmods on reddit indicated that the Special Edition's audio quality was noticeably worse than in the original. Several online gaming journals also cited this post in articles of their own. Bethesda confirmed a week later that they were looking to fix the issue.

System requirements

The following are the official system requirements for the Skyrim – Special Edition:

Minimum

• Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit Version)
• Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945.
• 8GB of ram.
• 12 GB free HDD space
• NVIDIA GTX 470 1GB /AMD HD 7870 2GB

Recommended

• Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit Version)
• Intel i5-2400/AMD FX-8320.
• 8GB of ram.
• 12 GB free HDD space
• NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB /AMD R9 290 4GB

Console storage needs

PS4

• 20 GB (North America)
• 33 GB (Europe)

Xbox One

• 17 GB (North America)
• 25 GB (Europe)

Videos

Skyrim Special Edition – Gameplay Trailer 2

Skyrim Switch – Official E3 Trailer

The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim – PlayStation VR E3 Trailer

Gallery

The autorun launcher for the Special Edition.

Box Art for each platform