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)

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. If you do not, 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.