Downloading Everything in Skyrim Anniversary Edition: A Comprehensive Guide

The Skyrim Anniversary Edition offers a treasure trove of content, combining the base game with all its expansions and a massive collection of Creation Club content. The main challenge for new and returning players often lies in properly accessing and downloading all this added material. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure you get the full experience.

The intended method is for all Creations to download automatically after purchase. If this doesn’t occur, navigate to the Creation Club page from the Main Menu and select “Download All” after logging in. If that does not work, continue reading for a more detailed breakdown.

Step-by-Step Download Guide

1. Purchase & Launch: First, make sure you’ve purchased the Anniversary Edition DLC through your respective platform’s store (Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, etc.). After purchasing, launch the game.

2. Automatic Download (Ideal): In most cases, the content should begin downloading automatically upon launching the game after purchase. Look for download notifications or progress bars within the game’s menus.

3. Creation Club Access: If the automatic download doesn’t happen, head to the Main Menu and select the “Creation Club” option.

4. Login: Ensure you are logged into your Bethesda.net account from within the Creation Club menu. A Bethesda account is required to access and download the Creation Club content.

5. “Download All” Option: Once logged in, look for an option labeled “Download All”. This will initiate the download of all Creation Club content included in the Anniversary Edition.

6. Individual Downloads: If you prefer to download individual Creations, you can browse the Creation Club, navigate to the “Owned” tab, and select each Creation individually to download and install. This allows for a more controlled download process, especially if you have limited bandwidth or storage.

7. Verification: After downloading, double-check that all Creations are installed. In the Creation Club, under the “Owned” tab, each Creation should display as “Installed”.

8. Troubleshooting: If some Creations still refuse to download, try restarting the game and your platform. If issues persist, check your internet connection, platform service status (PSN, Xbox Live, Steam), and ensure that Skyrim has enough storage available.

Addressing Potential Issues

• Greyed-Out Creation Club: If the Creation Club option is greyed out, this can be due to privacy settings on Xbox. You may need to disable the “Ask before buying” prompt in your Xbox Live Privacy settings. To do this, navigate to “View Details & Customise” select “Buy and Download” change “Ask before buying” to OFF.
• Mod Conflicts: If you already have many mods installed, there’s a chance some may conflict with the new Creation Club content. Try disabling any recently installed mods to see if it resolves the issue. Anniversary Edition introduced a new version of the Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE) and many popular mods required updates to work with the Anniversary Edition.
• Storage Space: The Anniversary Edition content requires a significant amount of storage space. Ensure you have enough free space on your hard drive or console storage.
• Bethesda.net Account Issues: Ensure your Bethesda.net account is in good standing. Try resetting your password or contacting Bethesda Support if you are having trouble logging in.

Why Bother with the Anniversary Edition?

The Anniversary Edition is an extensive upgrade to Skyrim Special Edition. It includes all previously released DLC (Dawnguard, Hearthfire, Dragonborn) alongside a massive bundle of Creation Club content. This adds new quests, items, locations, and gameplay mechanics, significantly expanding the Skyrim experience. Even players familiar with the base game will find a wealth of new content to explore.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need to own Skyrim Special Edition to get the Anniversary Edition content?

Yes, the Anniversary Edition is either a standalone purchase or an upgrade for Skyrim Special Edition. You must own Skyrim Special Edition to upgrade to the Anniversary Edition.

2. Is all the Creation Club content included in the Anniversary Edition?

Yes, the Anniversary Edition includes all 74 Creations available as of its release. This adds up to over 500 individual elements to the game.

3. How much extra gameplay does the Anniversary Edition add?

The Anniversary Edition can add dozens, even hundreds, of hours of gameplay depending on how much of the new content you engage with. When focusing on the main objectives, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Anniversary Edition is about 33 Hours in length. If you strive to see all aspects of the game, expect to spend around 149 Hours to obtain 100% completion.

4. Will the Anniversary Edition break my existing mods?

Potentially. The Anniversary Edition updates the game’s engine, which can cause compatibility issues with older mods, particularly those that rely on Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE). It’s recommended to update your mods or check for compatibility patches.

5. Is the Anniversary Edition upgrade worth the price?

For new players and those who haven’t experienced Creation Club content, it’s a great value. The added content significantly expands the Skyrim experience. Experienced players may want to consider the additional content carefully to decide if it justifies the cost. It’s generally agreed that Skyrim AE is a captivating opportunity for everyone – experienced players and people barely embarking on their adventure with Bethesda games and is worth the price with improved visuals, Creativity Club creations, and three epic DLCs.

6. Do I need a Bethesda.net account to play the Anniversary Edition?

A Bethesda.net account is required to access Creation Club content and online features. However, the base game and DLC are playable without linking your account.

7. Can I manually install Creation Club content?

No, Creation Club content is designed to be installed through the in-game Creation Club menu. Manual installation is not supported.

8. What are the best houses added in the Anniversary Edition?

Hendraheim is a highly regarded house in AE. This house has everything, you can find special places for unique items too, it’s big and got a lot of space. If you are a vampire the Bloodchill cavern it’s very good, it’s a mini Volkihar castle but just for you. For players without the anniversary edition, Proudspire Manor or the Archmage’s Quarters at the College of Winterhold are top choices.

9. Will the Anniversary Edition receive future updates?

Bethesda has not announced any plans for future updates to the Anniversary Edition at this time.

10. Can I revert back to the Special Edition after upgrading to the Anniversary Edition?

Reverting to the Special Edition after upgrading is difficult, especially on consoles. On PC, it might be possible to revert to an older version using Steam’s beta branches but doing so may cause unforeseen issues.

11. What free content do Special Edition owners get?

Special Edition owners receive free access to four Creations: Fishing, Rare Curios, Survival Mode, and Saints & Seducers.

12. Is there a physical release of the Anniversary Edition?

Yes, a physical version of the Anniversary Edition is available for consoles. It includes the game disc and a download code for the Creation Club content.

13. What is the difference between the Anniversary Edition and the Anniversary Upgrade?

The Anniversary Edition is the complete game package. The Anniversary Upgrade is for players who already own Skyrim Special Edition and want to add the Creation Club content.

14. Does the Anniversary Edition improve the graphics?

The Anniversary Edition includes some visual enhancements, but the primary focus is on adding new content. For significant graphical improvements, consider using graphics mods. The differences between Skyrim Anniversary and Skyrim Special editions makes it clear that players who have not yet experienced the game at all would be fine with either purchase, but the Anniversary Edition contains both more content and better graphics

15. Where can I learn more about game design and the impact of games on learning?

The Games Learning Society is a great resource for learning about the intersection of games and education. You can visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org.

By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you can ensure that you have successfully downloaded and installed all the content included in the Skyrim Anniversary Edition. Enjoy your expanded Skyrim adventure!