4 Update 1.10.163 | Fallout
Heads up, survivors — Bethesda released Update 1.10.163 for Fallout 4. This patch focuses on stability fixes and a handful of gameplay and quest-related bug fixes discovered since the last release.
The studio promised “up to 30% faster load times and stable 60 FPS.” We tested Fallout 4 Update 1.10.163 across three platforms.
First, clarity is critical. If you search for "Fallout 4 1.10.163" on Steam or Nexus Mods, you will find two distinct realities:
Do not confuse the two. The 1.10.163 released today is a maintenance update for current-gen consoles and modern PCs.
Despite being labeled “stable,” Bethesda’s own support forums list these unresolved bugs:
Bethesda has promised a follow-up hotfix (likely 1.10.170) for summer 2024, but as of this writing, no release date is set.
Background
What the patch actually did (summary of concrete changes)
Why the community care was outsized
Technical consequences for modders
Notable community responses and practices Fallout 4 Update 1.10.163
Assessment: significance and lessons
Representative timeline (concise)
Suggested approach for players still on 1.10.163 (practical)
Closing note 1.10.163 is a compact example of how small official updates interact with a complex mod ecosystem: technically minor for the base game, but operationally meaningful for mod users and developers.
In the current ecosystem, Version 1.10.163 is widely considered the "Gold Standard" for stability and modding. While technically an older build from December 2019, it has become the preferred version for players who want to avoid the bugs and mod-breaking changes introduced in the recent "Next-Gen" updates. Why 1.10.163 is Highly Rated Ultimate Mod Compatibility
: The vast majority of established mods, including crucial tools like the Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) , were built and perfected for this version. Peak Stability
: Unlike newer versions that introduced issues with NPC face data, wide-screen flickering, and broken VATS on certain platforms, 1.10.163 is extremely stable when paired with community bug-fix patches. The "Fallout London" Benchmark : The massive total conversion mod, Fallout London
, specifically recommends this version (or the GOG equivalent) for the best experience. No Creation Club Clutter
: Many players prefer 1.10.163 because it lacks the intrusive "Next-Gen" menu changes and marketplace advertisements found in more recent updates. Minor Drawbacks Manual Setup Required
: If you are on Steam, the game will try to auto-update to the latest version. You will likely need to use a Downgrader Tool Nexus Mods to revert your game to 1.10.163. Missing New Content Heads up, survivors — Bethesda released Update 1
: You won't have "official" access to the latest free Enclave questlines and armor skins added in 2024, though many of these can be added back manually as mods. If you are a casual player
who doesn't use mods and just wants to play the game on a modern console (PS5/Xbox Series X), the latest Next-Gen Update (1.10.984+) is generally better for its native 4K/60FPS support. Turtle Beach However, for PC players and heavy modders Version 1.10.163
remains the superior choice for a bug-free, highly customized experience. Further Exploration Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) compatibility guide to see which game versions are supported. Check out the Simple Fallout 4 Downgrader on Nexus Mods for an automated way to revert your game. View the original 1.10.163 patch notes
from 2019 to see the original "Virtual Workshop" content it introduced. step-by-step instructions on how to downgrade your game to this version?
Here’s a structured release sheet / patch note paper for Fallout 4 update 1.10.163 (the last major update before the next-gen update in 2024). This format is suitable for a wiki, changelog, or technical documentation.
Update 1.10.163 is a footnote in Fallout 4’s patch history—invisible to most, but a crucial reminder of how even minor version bumps can have major consequences for the modding ecosystem. It was the calm before the storm of the Next-Gen Update, and for many PC modders, it was the moment they decided to freeze their game version permanently.
Recommendation: If you are a heavy mod user on PC, stay on 1.10.162 (or downgrade to it) unless you specifically need the updated Creation Club backend. For console players, install without concern.
The Fallout 4 Update 1.10.163 was a minor patch released on December 4, 2019, primarily for the PC version of the game. It is most notable among the community for being the final version before the major "Next-Gen" update in 2024, making it a critical baseline for many classic mods. 🛠️ Key Update Details Release Date: December 4, 2019.
Primary Focus: Creation Club content updates and minor stability fixes.
Modding Impact: This version is the primary target for the "Fallout 4 Downgrader" tools, as many complex mods (like those requiring F4SE) were broken by later updates. Do not confuse the two
File Size: Approximately 1.5 GB to 1.9 GB depending on the platform and previous version. 💾 Compatibility & Troubleshooting
Save Files: If you receive a "content no longer present" message when loading a save on this version, ensure all previously active DLCs or mods are enabled.
Corrupted Saves: Note that Bethesda Support states corrupted save files cannot be repaired and require loading an earlier state.
Script Extender: Users on this version must use a specific version of the Fallout 4 Script Extender (F4SE) compatible with build 1.10.163 to ensure mod stability.
If you'd like to downgrade your game to 1.10.163 or need help finding compatible mods for this specific version, let me know!
Title: The Trojan Horse of the Wasteland: An Analysis of Fallout 4 Update 1.10.163 and the Architecture of Modern Service Games
Abstract On December 13, 2017, Bethesda Softworks released Fallout 4 Update 1.10.163 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC platforms. While ostensibly a minor patch intended to support the release of the Creation Club content "Capital Wasteland Mercenaries," this update represents a pivotal moment in the lifecycle of the game. This paper explores how 1.10.163 served as a functional gateway for the "Next-Gen" console features, exposed the growing friction between the modding community and corporate monetization strategies, and highlighted the technical obsolescence of the Creation Engine in the lead-up to Fallout 76.
Update 1.10.163 is primarily a Creation Club maintenance and stability patch. It does not introduce new free gameplay content but resolves backend issues related to mods and the Creation Club interface.
The most enduring legacy of Update 1.10.163 was its silent implementation of support for the Xbox One X and enhanced support for the PlayStation 4 Pro. Following this update, the game utilized the additional horsepower of the "mid-gen refresh" consoles to render the Commonwealth in native 4K resolution.
Technically, this was a significant achievement. The Creation Engine, a heavily modified iteration of the Gamebryo engine, has historically struggled with memory management and draw distances. Update 1.10.163 introduced specific render targets for the Xbox One X’s 12 GB of GDDR5 RAM, allowing for improved shadow distance and god-ray rendering without the frame-rate drops that plagued the original 2015 release.
However, this optimization came with a cost. The update increased the file size of the base game significantly, requiring players to redownload large texture blocks. This highlighted a growing issue in the 8th console generation: the "storage tax" of service games, where players were forced to sacrifice hard drive space for visual enhancements they may not have wanted, simply to remain on the latest version for achievement tracking and online connectivity.