At more than a decade old, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is still going strong and has gone on to become one of the most successful RPGs in history. Just about everything about it is instantly recognizable, from its long opening cut scene, to its iconography like the Seal of Akatosh logo, to it also having one of the best start screens in gaming. But there's no doubt that the game is not perfect, so the modding community is consistently hard at work improving on Bethesda's original formula.
One recent add-on for Skyrim has been done by veteran modder JaySpera. Simply called "College of Winterhold - Quest Expansion," this custom mod gives players a much more school-like experience in the magical institution. The description on the download page says that it adds seven new lessons, rather than there just being the one-and-done tutorial that comes in the vanilla game. A video also shows the mod in action, with the player being taught and tested on a series of magic spells. JaySpera says that this does not affect the standard quests, but it merely "expands" things.
Those who follow the modding community closely may well recognize this particular modder's work, especially the use of spliced voiceover work to create new dialogue. An earlier mod by JaySpera added 500 new lines of speech to the bandits of Skyrim, and a more recent one allows players to spy through keyholes for that more authentic stealth playthrough. This latest project is said to be compatible with other mods, including ones that relate directly to the College of Winterhold side quests.
For those who are perhaps less familiar with the game, Skyrim's College of Winterhold is a place of learning for those who are going down the magic route. It serves as this entry's Mages Guild, allowing players to hone in on their more sorcerous nature. It has a long history, and its placement in the northern cliffs makes it stand out against the backdrop of the area.
Skyrim has many schools of magic, including restoration, destruction, and illusion. In fact, The Elder Scrolls as a series has always given fans the option of playing a more mage-like character. The good thing about the franchise is that it allows for multiple ways to play the game, and magic is just one of them. To many, it's an integral part of the experience, and this new mod should be able to inject a bit more immersion in this aspect of the 2011 epic RPG.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Sources: PCGamesN, Nexus Mods