Skyrim has been granted a new beta update – more than three years after launch! – to improve the experience for modders and those who use them.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim released in November 2011. I think that’s worth noting before we discuss the beta update that dropped today, even as Bethesda is working on whatever it is it will announce at E3 2015.

The biggest change is that there’s no longer any file size restriction on mods through Steam Workshop. This is really great news for total conversion mods that might otherwise be inaccessible to those who only use Steam’s mod database.

On the other hand, mods are now managed entirely through Steam Workshop rather than Skyrim’s launcher, and that means all mods need to be made available through Valve’s service rather than (or in addition to) third-party sites like NexusMods. These sites are important community hubs and have played important roles in the modding scene over the years, so it’s a bit of a shame to see them becoming less relevant.

Anyway, opt in to try the patch before it goes public. Instructions can be found on the Bethesda Blog.