Hello World

In this tutorial, we will make a mod that pops up a message box that says Hello World.

PreRequisites

1. Install Creation Kit (From the Bethesda.net launcher)
2. Update Fallout 4 to Enable Loose Files
3. Update Fallout 4 to Enable Debug Logging

Steps

1. Load Fallout 4 Resources

• Start Creation Kit
• File -> Data... -> Double Click Fallout4.esm
• Hit [OK]

2. Set a default namespace

When a namespace is set, the Creation Kit places all of the scripts you generate under Data/Scripts/<NameSpace>. This is handy for keeping track of your which mods various scripts support.

• File -> Preferences
• Scroll to the right and select the "Scripts" Tab
• Within "Default namespace", enter "HW". (HW are the initials for this mod)
• Hit [Apply]

3. Create a Message

• Within the left pane of the "Object Window", Expand "Miscellaneous"
• Click On/Highlight "Message"
• Double Click "Blank Message" in the right pane
  • ID : HelloWorld
  • Title : Hello World Title
  • Short Title : Hello Title
  • Message Text : Hello World!
  • Check the Box : [x] Message Box
  • Hit [OK]
  • Hit [YES] when asked if you wish to create a new Form

4. Create a Quest

The best way to introduce content into the game is by creating a new Quest that adds the content or performs various actions.

• Within the left pane of the "Object Window", Expand "Character"
• Click On/Highlight "Quest"
• Within the right pane of the "Object Window", Right-Click the background and select "New"
  • ID : HelloWorldQuest
  • NOTE : "Start Game Enabled" and "Run Once" are checked. For this example, the default values are fine.
  • Hit [OK] NOTE : Scripts are not enabled until the quest is created

5. Create a Script for the Quest and inject the HelloWorld Message

• Within the left pane of the "Object Window", Make sure "Character" -> "Quest" is selected
• Enter "HelloWorld" into the Filter box
• Within the right pane, re-open The "HelloWorldQuest"
• Click on the "Scripts" Tab
  • Click [Add] => [New Script]
  • Name : HelloWorldQuestScript NOTE : You should see your "HW" in the Namesapce
• When the Properties Window appears, click [Add Property]
  • Type : Message
  • Name : pHelloWorld
  • Hit [OK]
  • Hit [OK] (To exit Property editor)

NOTE : When Properties start with the letter "p", The CK searches all objects matching the TYPE for an obvious match. Since there is a MessageBox named "HelloWorld", it automatically fills the property for you. If you had named the property something else, or given the message box a different ID, you would have needed to specify the specific MessageBox to inject.

6. Edit the script to show the message

• Open up HelloWorldQuest and go to the script if you are not already there.
• Right Click [HW:HelloWorldQuestScript] and Select "Edit Source"
• Add the following to the bottom of the file

NOTE: Spacing is important. If you are pasting from this page, paste into NotePad first to eliminate format and then paste into the CK edit window.

Event OnInit()
  pHelloWorld.Show()
  Debug.MessageBox("Hello from a Debug MessageBox!")
endEvent

• In the Edit Script Window, goto File -> Save (When you save, CK automatically attempts to compile the code)
• Close the Script Editor
• Hit [OK] on the HelloWorldQuest window
• CK -> File -> Save
• File name: HelloWorld
• Save as type: TES Plugin Files (*.esp)
• Hit [SAVE]
• [Optional] Exit Creation Kit

7. Test the Mod

• Startup Fallout 4
• Hit [Play]
• Hit [Mods]
• Hit [HOME] to bypass the user login
• Select [HelloWorld], make sure it is checked
• ESC to back out
• Hit [OK] when it detects Mod change (reloads mods)
• Load an existing save game or start a new game.

You should see 2 message boxes pop up. One from the Message you created and the other from the debug.

Lessons Learned

1. Dependency Injection

Papyrus works off the principles of Dependency Injection: In general, you should create objects and Inject them into your script from within the Creation Kit.

2. Avoid Debug.MessageBox

When scripts are compiled into release archives, the Creation Kit will strip out all Debug methods such as Debug.MessageBox, Debug.TraceAndBox, etc... This example creates and injects a MESSAGE object because it is technically required to get "Hello World" to show up in a released mod. You can not rely on Debug methods (specifically the message box function) as part of a mod.

If things aren't working

Make sure you enabled loose files. A common mistake is to edit the wrong INI file. Make sure you edit the file under Documents/My Games/Fallout 4.