This is the core argument. Fallout 4 is a game that lives or dies by its mods. By staying on 1.10.163, you unlock the entire golden era of modding (2016–2023) without restriction.
The primary selling point of this patch is the jump to native current-gen hardware for console players. If you are playing on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S, the days of playing the "backward compatible" version are over.
Cause: Outdated F4SE or incompatible F4SE plugin.
Fix:
Version number: 1.10.163 (often written as 1.10.163.0)
Release date: Late 2019 (officially December 3, 2019) – Note: Some users confuse it with the later “Next-Gen” update 1.10.984, which is different.
Platforms: PC (Steam, Bethesda.net) – Consoles received separate but similar versioning.
Patch 1.10.163 was a minor but significant update. It was primarily a Creation Club content support patch – meaning Bethesda added backend hooks, menus, and stability fixes to better handle Creation Club items. However, for modders and players, it became infamous for breaking many existing mods, especially F4SE (Fallout 4 Script Extender) plugins.
Q: Is 1.10.163 the same as the “Next-Gen” update?
No. Next-Gen is 1.10.984 (April 2024). 1.10.163 is from 2019.
Q: Can I use Creation Club mods with 1.10.163?
Yes, all Creation Club items up to late 2019 work. Some newer CC items (2020+) may require a newer game version.
Q: Will Fallout 4: London work on 1.10.163?
The original FOLON release required 1.10.163 exactly. The later “Next-Gen” version requires a downgrader. Check FOLON’s current requirements.
Q: My game says 1.10.163 but F4SE says wrong version. Help.
You likely have a mismatch between Fallout4.exe and f4se_loader.exe. Delete F4SE scripts completely, then reinstall F4SE 0.6.21.
A small but mighty change: the Quest Menu has been overhauled. Previously, navigating the Pip-Boy quest log was a chore, especially when juggling multiple radiant quests for the Minutemen or Brotherhood. The new sorting options make it much easier to pinpoint exactly what task you need to tackle next without scrolling endlessly.