Skyrim 1.4 Beta Patch Available on Steam

Bethesda has released the beta version of its 1.4 patch for Skyrim.

The patch is only accessible to those that have opted in to Steam’s beta functionality, and the patch itself is still in development. If it isn’t already clear by now that there’s an element of risk attached to applying this update, make sure you’ve got save files backed-up.

Here’s how to get the beta:

• Skyrim launcher support for Steam Workshop* 

• General optimizations for memory and performance 

• Optimized bookshelf script in player-owned houses that would occasionally cause active scripts to lag and also cause an increase to saved games filesize (PS3) 

• Improved compiler optimization settings 

• Memory optimizations related to scripting 

• Fixed crashes related to pathing and AI 

• Fixed crash in Haemar’s Shame if player had already completed “A Daedra’s Best Friend” 

• Fixed rare crash with loading saved games 

• Fixed issue with accented characters not displaying properly at the end of a line 

• Fixed issue where quests would incorrectly progress after reloading a save 

• Fixed issues with placing and removing books from bookshelves in the player’s home 

• Fixed issue where weapon racks and plaques would not work correctly in player’s house if player immediately visits their house before purchasing any furnishing. 

• Fixed issue where the player house in Windhelm would not clean up properly 

• Fixed crash related to giant attacks and absorb spells 

• Fixed issue with ash piles not cleaning up properly 

• Fixed occasional issue where overwriting an existing save would fail 

• Fixed memory crash with container menu 

• Fixed infinite loop with bookshelves 

• Fixed issue where traps in Shalidor’s Maze would not work properly in French, German, Spanish and Italian versions 

• Fixed issue where transforming back to human from werewolf would occasionally fail 

• Bows and daggers will display properly when placed on weapon racks 

1. QUESTS 
2. The Unusual Gem inside the Thalmor Embassy is now accessible after finishing “Diplomatic Immunity” 
3. In “Breaching Security”, the quest token is no longer required to receive a fortune reading from Olava the Feeble 
4. Fixed issue where Galmar would not complete Joining the Stormcloaks properly if “Season Unending” was an active quest 
5. Fixed issue where starting “Season Unending” after finishing “Joining the Stormcloaks” would prevent “The Jagged Crown” from starting properly. 
6. Fixed issue progressing through “Message to Whiterun” while “Season Unending” was still open would block progression for both quests. 
7. In “Arniel’s Endeavor”, fixed issue where a quest journal would trigger multiple times 
8. In “Forbidden Legend”, the amulet fragment can no longer disappear after player leaves a dungeon without taking it 
9. Fixed rare issue in “Forbidden Legend” where killing Mikrul Gauldurson while sneaking would make his corpse unaccessible 
10. In “The White Phial”, the phial can no longer disappear if player leaves dungeon without taking it 
11. “The White Phial” will now start properly if player already has a briar heart in their inventory 
12. Player can no longer get stuck in Misty Grove after completing “A Night to Remember” 
13. Fixed issue where leaving Riften during “A Chance Arrangement” would prevent quest from progressing 
14. In “Darkness Returns”, a door in Twilight Sepulcher will properly open if the player leaves the dungeon for an extended period of time before completing the quest 
15. In “Revealing the Unseen”, if the player leaves the Oculory for an extended period of time after placing the focusing crystal and returns, the quest will proceed correctly 
16. “Onmund’s Request” will now start properly if player has already found Enthir’s staff before receiving this quest 
17. Fixed instance where Tonilia would stop buying stolen items and also would not give Guild Leader Armor 
18. “Repairing the Phial” will start properly if player already has unmelting snow or mammoth tusk in their inventory 
19. Finding Pantea’s Flute before speaking with Pantea no longer prevents her quest from updating 
20. In “The Break of Dawn”, fixed rare instance where a quest object would spawn incorrectly on the Katariah during Hail Sithis 
21. Fixed rare issue in “The Mind of Madness” where player is unable to equip the Wabbajack 
22. Fixed issue in “Pieces of the Past” where Mehrunes Dagon’s Razor will not trigger properly if player leaves the cell for extended period of time before activating it 
23. “Blood’s Honor” will start properly if you visited and completed Driftshade and an extended period of time passes before starting the quest. 
24. Fixed rare issue where “Dampened Spirits” would not start properly 
25. Fixed issue where killing guards in Cidhna Mine would block progression for “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine” 
26. Fixed numerous issues with “Blood on the Ice” not triggering properly 
27. In “Blood on the Ice”, Calixto can now be killed if player owns a house in Windhelm 
28. In “The Cure for Madness”, killing Cicero then resurrecting him no longer impedes quest progress 
29. Fixed rare issue in “To Kill an Empire” where an NPC would fail to die properly 
30. Clearing Knifepoint Ridge before starting “Boethiah’s Champion” no longer prevents quest from starting.

Bethesda has said patch 1.4 will provide “long term play optimizations for memory and performance” on the PS3 version of the game.

Source: CVG