Fallout London Install Guide: Downgrading Fallout 4 for Mod Compatibility

To properly install and enjoy Fallout London, a comprehensive mod for Fallout 4, you’ll need to ensure your base game is compatible. Specifically, this often involves downgrading your Fallout 4 Game of the Year (GOTY) Edition to version 1.10.163.0 if you own it on Steam. While this process might seem a bit technical, this guide will walk you through each step to make it as straightforward as possible.

If you own Fallout 4 on Steam, reverting to the necessary older version is still achievable, although it requires a few more steps than a standard installation. Don’t worry, we’ve broken down the process into manageable instructions below.

Step-by-Step Guide to Downgrading Fallout 4 for Fallout London

Follow these instructions carefully to downgrade your Fallout 4 GOTY Edition:

1. Open the Steam Console:
   The first step is to access the Steam console, a hidden feature that allows for direct interaction with Steam’s backend. To open it, type the following command into your web browser’s address bar and press Enter:

   steam://open/console

   This command will prompt Steam to launch the console directly within the Steam application.

2. Download Depot Files for Fallout 4 Version 1.10.163.0:
   The Steam console allows you to download specific versions of game files, known as depots. You’ll need to use a series of download_depot commands to retrieve each part of the Fallout 4 version 1.10.163.0. Enter each of the following commands one by one into the Steam console and wait for each download to complete before proceeding to the next. You’ll know a download is complete when the console prompt reappears.

   • Part A:

     download_depot 377160 377161 7497069378349273908

   • Part B:

     download_depot 377160 377163 5819088023757897745

   • Executable File:

     download_depot 377160 377162 5847529232406005096

   • English Version:

     download_depot 377160 377164 2178106366609958945

   • DLCs (Required for Fallout London):
     To ensure compatibility and proper gameplay with Fallout London, it’s crucial to also download the depot files for all Fallout 4 DLCs. Enter these commands for each DLC you own:

     • Automatron:

       download_depot 377160 435870 1691678129192680960

     • Automatron English Language Pack:

       download_depot 377160 435871 5106118861901111234

     • Wasteland Workshop:

       download_depot 377160 435880 1255562923187931216

     • Far Harbor:

       download_depot 377160 435881 1207717296920736193

     • Far Harbor English Language Pack:

       download_depot 377160 435882 8482181819175811242

     • Contraptions Workshop:

       download_depot 377160 480630 5527412439359349504

     • Vault-Tec Workshop:

       download_depot 377160 480631 6588493486198824788

     • Vault-Tec Workshop English Language Pack:

       download_depot 377160 393885 5000262035721758737

     • Nuka World:

       download_depot 377160 490650 4873048792354485093

     • Nuka World English Language Pack:

       download_depot 377160 393895 7677765994120765493

   After executing these commands, the downloaded files will be located in your Steam library folder. The default path is typically C:Program Files (x86)Steamsteamappscontentapp_377160 and will be organized into separate folders named depot_[depot number]. For example, the executable file will be in a folder named depot_377162.

3. Reconstruct Your Fallout 4 Installation:
   Now you need to assemble the downloaded depot files into a working Fallout 4 installation.

   • Create a new folder on your desktop and name it something descriptive like “Fallout 4 v1.10.163.0”.
   • Navigate to your Steam library’s content folder (C:Program Files (x86)Steamsteamappscontentapp_377160).
   • Copy the contents from each of the depot_ folders you downloaded in Step 2 into your newly created desktop folder. If there are file conflicts (files with the same name), choose to replace the files to ensure you have the correct versions.

   Once you’ve copied all the necessary files, your desktop folder will contain a complete installation of Fallout 4 version 1.10.163.0. The next step is to replace your current Fallout 4 installation with this downgraded version.

   • Delete all files and folders within your current Fallout 4 GOTY Edition installation directory. This folder is usually found at C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonFallout 4 Game of the Year Edition.
   • Copy the contents of the desktop folder “Fallout 4 v1.10.163.0” into your now-empty Fallout 4 GOTY Edition installation folder.

4. Prevent Automatic Updates:
   To prevent Steam from automatically updating Fallout 4 back to the latest version and breaking compatibility with Fallout London, you need to set the game’s app manifest file to read-only.

   • Locate the Steam app manifest file for Fallout 4. This file is named appmanifest_377160.acf and is typically found in your Steam apps folder: C:Program Files (x86)Steamsteamapps.
   • Right-click on the appmanifest_377160.acf file and select “Properties”.
   • In the Properties window, under the “Attributes” section, check the “Read-only” box.
   • Click “OK” to save the changes.

   Setting the app manifest to read-only will stop Steam from automatically updating Fallout 4 unless you manually initiate an update.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you have successfully downgraded your Fallout 4 GOTY Edition to version 1.10.163.0, making it compatible with Fallout London. You should now be able to install and enjoy the Fallout London mod without version conflicts. Remember to launch the game through the mod manager specified by the Fallout London installation instructions to ensure the mod loads correctly. Happy gaming in post-apocalyptic London!