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Manually Adding Games to Vortex: A Comprehensive Guide

Vortex, the official mod manager from Nexus Mods, is a powerful tool that simplifies the process of installing and managing mods for your favorite games. While Vortex often automatically detects installed games, sometimes you’ll need to guide it along manually. So, how do you manually add a game to Vortex? The primary method is to point Vortex to the game’s installation folder. To do this, navigate to the “Games” tab in Vortex. At the top of the interface, there is often a prompt to “Scan for Games” – and below that you’ll also see the option “Add a game”. Clicking the “Add a game” option opens a file explorer, allowing you to browse your computer’s directories. Select the top-level folder of the game you want to add, even if the game executable is located within a subfolder. Vortex will then scan this folder and its subdirectories. If the game is recognized, Vortex will add it to your library of managed games, and you will be able to install mods through the software.

Why Manually Add Games to Vortex?

There are several reasons why you might need to manually add a game to Vortex:

Vortex Fails to Auto-Detect: Sometimes, Vortex simply doesn’t automatically recognize a game’s installation, particularly if it’s not in a standard location or if it’s a less common title.
Non-Standard Game Paths: If you installed a game to a custom location outside of the usual Program Files directories, Vortex may miss it during the auto-scan.
Games with Complex Structures: Some older games or titles with unusual directory structures can sometimes confuse Vortex’s automatic detection mechanisms.
Modding Non-Nexus Games: While Vortex is designed for Nexus Mods, you might want to use it to manage mods for games not officially supported, which requires manual game addition.

Step-by-Step Guide to Manually Adding a Game

Here’s a detailed walkthrough of how to add a game manually to Vortex:

Open Vortex: Launch the Vortex Mod Manager.
Navigate to the Games Tab: On the left sidebar, click the “Games” option.
Click “Add a game”: At the top of the game management section, locate and select the “Add a game” button.
Locate the Game Folder: A file explorer window will open. Browse to the installation folder of the game you wish to add. Remember to select the top-level folder that contains the main game executable or important game data.
Select the Folder: Once you’ve located the correct folder, select it, and then click “Select Folder” (or a similar option).
Vortex Scans and Recognizes Game: Vortex will now scan the directory. If the game is supported, Vortex will recognize it, display its logo and add it to your list of games.
Confirm The Game: Once scanned, click on the artwork of the game to start managing it.
Ready to Mod: The game is now ready and available for mods.

Tips for Finding Game Folders

Steam Users: For Steam games, right-click the game in your Steam library, go to “Properties,” then “Installed Files,” and click “Browse” to find the game’s installation folder.
Epic Games Users: Similarly, locate the game in your Epic Games Launcher, select the ellipsis (…) then select “Manage” and look at “Installation Folder” to find the file pathway
GOG Galaxy Users: In GOG Galaxy, select the game, click the settings icon (next to the play button) and choose “Manage Installation,” then “Show folder.”
Look for Executables: Game folders often contain executable files like .exe for Windows. This can help you identify the correct folder to add.
Use Variations of Titles: Sometimes Vortex may struggle if the title is different. Try searching for alternate titles for the game as well.

Troubleshooting Manual Game Addition

Sometimes, things might not go as smoothly as expected. Here are a few common issues and solutions:

Game Not Recognized: If Vortex doesn’t recognize the game after selecting the folder, ensure that you’ve selected the top-level folder and not a subfolder. Verify that the game is actually supported by Vortex. If the issue persists, try searching different variations of the name.
Incorrect Folder: Check if you’ve selected the correct folder. Be sure to choose the folder with the primary game data and executable, not a save folder or other sub-directory.
Game Not Supported: Vortex may not support all games. If it doesn’t, you may be able to manage mods outside of Vortex.
Missing Permissions: Ensure that Vortex has the necessary permissions to access the game folder. Run Vortex as an administrator if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Vortex detect manually installed mods?

No, Vortex does not detect mods that were installed manually. It treats those files as the original game files. If you intend to use Vortex for mod management, it’s best to uninstall the game, delete the installation folder, and reinstall it through the Vortex system.

2. Do I have to launch modded games through Vortex?

Yes, if you are using Vortex to manage mods, you should launch the game through Vortex. This ensures that all the necessary mod files and executables such as SKSE are properly loaded for the game to run.

3. Does Vortex work with Steam games?

Yes, Vortex integrates seamlessly with Steam. You can even create a Steam Collection specifically for your Vortex-modded games, allowing you to launch them directly from Steam with Vortex configurations loaded.

4. Can I drop zip files into Vortex?

Absolutely. Vortex allows you to drag and drop zipped archive files (ZIP, RAR, 7Z) into the “Drop Zone” on the Mods tab. This copies the file to the download folder associated with the currently selected game.

5. Can I install a mod from a file into vortex?

Yes, you can use the “Install from File” option on the Mods toolbar to manually add a mod. You can also drag and drop the file directly into the “Dropzone” in the mod section.

6. Does Vortex have LOOT installed?

Yes, Vortex includes LOOT (Load Order Optimization Tool) to automatically sort your mod load order, preventing conflicts and stabilizing your mod setup. You can also create custom rules for managing your mod load order.

7. Does Vortex work with Epic Games?

Vortex can sometimes work with Epic Games titles, but there are caveats. Modding Epic games can be complicated due to differences in game file structure and may not be supported or work correctly. If you are having trouble, forums specific to that game/mod are often the best place for advice.

8. Can you play free games on Vortex?

No, Vortex Cloud Gaming is a paid subscription service and does not have a free subscription. There are three subscription levels: Basic, Pro, and Ultra, each with different tiers of access to gaming features.

9. What happens if my Vortex mod doesn’t show up in the game?

Usually, this is because the mod folder is on a different drive than the game folder. To fix this, the mod folder needs to be moved to the same drive as your game’s installation.

10. Can I use Vortex to manage non-Nexus games?

While Vortex is primarily designed for Nexus Mods, you can often use it to manage mods for other games by manually adding those games. However, full compatibility and support are not always guaranteed for these games.

11. How do I change the game launcher in Vortex?

In the Dashboard, you can find the “Tools” section where you can add a new tool for your game launcher. Once added, you can set it as your primary launcher.

12. Does Vortex delete mods?

Vortex does not delete mods. It manages them. You can “purge” mods, which removes them from your game directory, effectively returning it to a state without mods. However, the mod files will still be stored in Vortex’s downloads folder.

13. Is Vortex the same as Nexus Mod Manager?

No, Vortex is not the same as Nexus Mod Manager (NMM). Vortex is the official, current mod management tool from Nexus Mods, while NMM is the legacy application. Vortex is much more capable and feature-rich than NMM.

14. How do I add a new game to Nexus Mods?

You can’t directly add new games to Nexus Mods. The process is that once you add a mod on the Nexus website, it asks you what game it is for. If it’s a game that’s not currently listed on the site, you’ll be prompted to send a request to have that game added to the Nexus Mods database.

15. Is Vortex safe for modding?

Yes, Vortex is a very safe way to manage your mods. It is free and open source, and integrates very well with Nexus Mods. Using Vortex helps ensure you are downloading mods from a trusted source and manages all the game changes effectively.

By understanding how to manually add games to Vortex and following these steps, you can overcome the challenges of automatic detection and bring even more of your games into the Vortex mod management fold. This powerful tool is invaluable for modding enthusiasts.

How do I manually add games to my vortex?