It should come as no surprise that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim launched with a whole host of bugs. Bethesda RPGs are renowned for their massive worlds, but with that size comes a greater propensity for stuff to just plain go wrong. Having been through this before, Bethesda started working on a major patch soon after release, and it looks like they're finally ready to deliver.

Wednesday’s patch, which has already gone live for PlayStation 3 users, is dubbed “Skyrim 1.2” and aims to fix a whole host of actual bugs. Here’s the full list of changes, straight from Bethesda:

  • Improved occasional performance issues resulting from long term play (PlayStation 3)
  • Fixed issue where textures would not properly upgrade when installed to drive (Xbox 360)
  • Fixed crash on startup when audio is set to sample rate other than 44100Hz (PC)
  • Fixed issue where projectiles did not properly fade away
  • Fixed occasional issue where a guest would arrive to the player’s wedding dead
  • Dragon corpses now clean up properly
  • Fixed rare issue where dragons would not attack
  • Fixed rare NPC sleeping animation bug
  • Fixed rare issue with dead corpses being cleared up prematurely
  • Skeleton Key will now work properly if player has no lockpicks in their inventory
  • Fixed rare issue with renaming enchanted weapons and armor
  • Fixed rare issue with dragons not properly giving souls after death
  • ESC button can now be used to exit menus (PC)
  • Fixed occasional mouse sensitivity issues (PC)
  • General functionality fixes related to remapping buttons and controls (PC)

Note that this patch is separate from a minor one released last week that properly tied the game’s PC executable to Steam. This had the side effect of removing a bunch of mods upon update and subsequently limiting one’s ability to tamper with the game, such as installing a third-party large address aware patch that enabled Skyrim to draw on more than just 2 GB of system RAM. (There is now a workaround for those who’d like to take full advantage of their PC’s hardware.)

This likely won't be the last Skyrim patch, and future DLC packs will likely come with their own bugs and hiccups. But this should improve the game for scores of players (that texture bug on the 360 is a big one) just in time for the holidays.

Source: Bethesda via Giant Bomb

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  • arjuna1 - Monday, November 28, 2011 - link

    Anybody would think that such a big release of a $60usd game would get a more decent patch, perhaps some enhancements for the PC version, and while there is virtually no problem with the gui if you use a gamepad, I can understand and respect those who hoped for better support for KB/M.

    If sheeople would stop pre-purchasing games then maybe developers and publishers would make a better effort to polish their products more as a requirement to earn their share.
  • jesh462 - Monday, November 28, 2011 - link

    Yeah, that's it because the creation kit is on the way. The player base can fix the rest of the game.
  • far327 - Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - link

    Truer words have never been spoken...
  • Iketh - Monday, November 28, 2011 - link

    Half of the listed fixes begin with "Fixed a rare..." which is worrying considering there are many more bugs that are anything but rare...
  • anactoraaron - Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - link

    that's PR spin. These bugs are "very rare"... makes it seem like they don't want to fix anything and they are bending over backwards just to fix these issues... Why not make the 'release' build more stable to begin with? I mean, TES is widely known to be buggy/broken! Why not just say "addressed a possible issue regarding..." instead of "fixed a very rare issue"?

    I can only imagine in the near future people will have to PAY for updates/bug fixes. I can see it now... "sorry you purchased the 1.0 software and license. To fix the issue you are having you will need to pay for the 1.2 or the 1.3 software license." The CEO will take the official stance of: "(we stand behind the process we have and) We will continue to churn out mostly unusable/unstable horse manure on the release date - suckering pre-order and release day customers while maintaining a healthy profit margin" and they will have to add one of these in there too: "we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause".
  • far327 - Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - link

    Hey hey hey!!! Don't give them any ideas!
  • Subzero0000 - Monday, November 28, 2011 - link

    Those suppose "bugs" are just plain stupid.

    "Improved occasional performance issues resulting from long term play (PlayStation 3)"
    They didn't play the game for hours.
    "Fixed issue where textures would not properly upgrade when installed to drive (Xbox 360)"
    They didn't try installing on Xbox.
    "Fixed crash on startup when audio is set to sample rate other than 44100Hz (PC)"
    They didn't test other sample rate.
    "Fixed issue where projectiles did not properly fade away"
    They didn't fire projectiles.
    "Skeleton Key will now work properly if player has no lockpicks in their inventory"
    They didn't try other scenario.
    "ESC button can now be used to exit menus (PC)"
    They don't like the keyboard.
    "General functionality fixes related to remapping buttons and controls (PC)"
    They don't care about PC gaming.
  • sintaxera - Monday, November 28, 2011 - link

    I have adopted a new outlook on the Bethesda PC games I love so much. Whenever I encounter something that doesn't work right in the game, and it sends me to .ini files, or beta drivers, or the command console, or some strange registry setting buried deep in my system, I see it as a new branch in the story line. One that takes me on an epic quest through Google, and various forums with questionable downloads and strange executables. This should be something listed on their description of the game. Printed right on the box, because it has been a staple of their games since I can remember.
  • far327 - Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - link

    hahahahah!!! again so true!!!
  • Chaser - Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - link

    Some of you guys that make broad sweeping condemnations of a game that at launch quickly won the industry respect and admiration of virtually every reputable reviewing source. You won't play anymore? Gonna return it? Some of you guys are so hypercritical, are capable of finding fault with anything and everything. You guys could find faults in a rainbow.

    Yes the PC version has some quirks. And it does get somewhat frustrating once in a while? I'm a lvl 15 conjurer/sin type and the game, as most agree, is incredible.

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