FOSE, or Fallout Script Extender, is a third-party application for the PC version of Fallout 3. Fallout Script Extender allows gamers to create and edit mods (short for modification) that alter the game's programming code, adding or changing features that are not included in the original game package. FOSE can be used on any computer that has the Fallout 3 game and is fairly easy to install.

Steps

  1. 1
    Install Fallout 3 and run it at least once. You will need to run the regular Fallout 3 game once in order to create the proper files in the Fallout 3 folder. Make sure to click "Play" in the Fallout 3 launcher and allow the game to completely load.
    • FOSE does not work with the Direct2Drive or retail DVD version 1.0.0.12 versions of Fallout 3. If you have the DVD version, update to the latest version of Fallout 3 using the official 1.7 patch. If you are using the Direct2Drive version, you will need to install a different version to use FOSE.
    • If you have dual monitors, disable the second one before playing Fallout 3. Press Win+P and select "PC Screen Only".
  2. 2
    Consider installing the unofficial Fallout 3 1.8 patch. This is a fan-made patch that fixes hundreds of bugs that can cause problems with Fallout 3. You can download the patch from NexusMods.com
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  3. 3
    Download FOSE. FOSE can be downloaded for free from the developer's site (fose.silverlock.org/. It will download in the "7z" format.
  4. 4
    Download and install 7-Zip. This free archive program is required to extract the FOSE files. You can download 7-Zip from 7-zip.org.
  5. 5
    Extract the FOSE files. After installing 7-Zip, double-click the downloaded FOSE archive. Extract the files in their current location so that you can quickly find them.
  6. 6
    Open your Fallout 3 directory. Your directory may be found at one of the following locations, which are common default installation locations:
    • C:\Program Files\Bethesda Softworks\Fallout 3\
    • C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 3 GOTY
  7. 7
    Copy all the files from the extracted FOSE folder into your Fallout 3 directory. Confirm that you want to overwrite any files with the same name.
  8. 8
    Right-click "fose-loader.exe" and select "Create Shortcut". Drag this shortcut onto your desktop. This is what you will use to start Fallout 3 from now on.
  9. 9
    Install a mod manager. Now that your copy of Fallout 3 has been setup to work with mods, you can download and install a mod manager to help you manage all of the mods you plan to install. The two most popular mod managers are Fallout Mod Manager (FOMM) and the Nexus Mod Manager. Both of these can be downloaded and installed from NexusMods.com
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    What if it's a pirated version?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    That is what this is. There is no way to get a purchasable game for free without it being a pirated game.
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About This Article

Tested by:
wikiHow Technology Team
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 85,866 times.
33 votes - 87%
Co-authors: 9
Updated: September 7, 2019
Views: 85,866
Categories: Fallout
Article SummaryX

1. Run Fallout 3 at least once.
2. Download Fose from fose.silverlock.org.
3. Unpack the downloaded file.
4. Copy the extracted files to the Fallout 3 folder.
5. Create a shortcut for fose-loader.exe on the desktop.
6. Install a mod manager.

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