A record file is a game data file used in the Gamebryo and Creation engines. Record files contain information about in-game items, characters, world spaces, and settings. Game data such as textures, models, sounds, and other assets are found in BSA files rather than record files. Record files come in two forms: master (ESM) files and plugin (ESP) files. Both master and plugin files are found in the Data subfolder of any parent game directory (i.e. where the game's .exe file is found).
Record files can be viewed using the G.E.C.K. or Creation Kit, or with third-party tools like xEdit.
Master file[]
A master file, using the .esm file extension, (also called an ESM file, short for Elder Scrolls Master) serves as the primary database of game files which plugin files can reference, modify, or add to. They are loaded prior to plugin files.[1]
Plugin file[]
ESP[]
Plugin files, using the .esp file extension, (also called an ESP file, short for Elder Scrolls Plugin) are largely identical to master files in structure but are loaded after them, and are unable to modify other plugin files.[1] They are intended for use with player mods, as base games and their DLC are both packaged with .esm master files.
ESL[]
The Light Master file, using the .esl file extension is a new optimized file format introduced in the patch 1.10 update. Using Light Master files will allow more plugins to be loaded than the previously possible due to the 8-bit plugin ID limit of 255. A Light Master does this by using more of the Form ID range for load order, while also sacrificing its maximum capacity for form records. It is primarily used for Creation Club content.
Load order[]
The load order of record files determines when changes the files make are applied. Files appearing lower in the load order will overwrite changes made to records by files earlier in the load order.[2]
Record[]
Records are the individual structures of information that makeup record files. Each record contains a record header, with information such as a signature, Form ID, Editor ID, data size, flags, and version control information.[3]
Record signature[]
The signature within a record's header is what denotes its type. Some common record signatures are shown below:
| Signature | Record type |
|---|---|
| ACHR | Character Reference ID |
| ACTI | Activator |
| ALCH | Consumable item |
| AMMO | Ammunition type |
| ARMO | Armor type |
| CELL | World cell |
| CONT | Container |
| LSCR | Loading screen |
| MISC | Miscellaneous item, weapon/armor modification |
| NPC_ | Non-player character |
| QUST | Quest |
| RACE | Non-player character race |
| REFR | Object Reference ID |
| WEAP | Weapon type |
| WRLD | World space |
Files present in games[]
Fallout 3[]
Fallout3.esm(Base game)Anchorage.esm(Operation: Anchorage)ThePitt.esm(The Pitt)BrokenSteel.esm(Broken Steel)PointLookout.esm(Point Lookout)Zeta.esm(Mothership Zeta)
Fallout: New Vegas[]
FalloutNV.esm(Base game)DeadMoney.esm(Dead Money)HonestHearts.esm(Honest Hearts)OldWorldBlues.esm(Old World Blues)LonesomeRoad.esm(Lonesome Road)GunRunnersArsenal.esm(Gun Runners' Arsenal)CaravanPack.esm(Courier's Stash)ClassicPack.esm(Courier's Stash)MercenaryPack.esm(Courier's Stash)TribalPack.esm(Courier's Stash)
Fallout 4[]
Fallout4.esm(Base game)DLCRobot.esm(Automatron)DLCworkshop01.esm(Wasteland Workshop)DLCCoast.esm(Far Harbor)DLCworkshop02.esm(Contraptions Workshop)DLCworkshop03.esm(Vault-Tec Workshop)DLCNukaWorld.esm(Nuka-World)
Creation Club[]
| Plugin File | CC Content |
|---|---|
| ccbgsfo4001-pipboy[black].esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Onyx |
| ccbgsfo4002-pipboy[blue].esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Blue |
| ccbgsfo4003-pipboy[camo01].esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Desert Camo |
| ccbgsfo4004-pipboy[camo02].esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Swamp Camo |
| ccbgsfo4006-pipboy[chrome].esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Chrome |
| ccbgsfo4012-pipboy[red].esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Red |
| ccbgsfo4014-pipboy[white].esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - White |
| ccbgsfo4005-bluecamo.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Aquatic Camo |
| ccbgsfo4016-prey.esl | Morgan's Space Suit |
| ccbgsfo4018-gaussrifleprototype.esl | Prototype Gauss Rifle |
| ccbgsfo4019-chinesestealtharmor.esl | Chinese Stealth Armor |
| ccbgsfo4020-powerarmorskin[black].esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Onyx |
| ccbgsfo4022-powerarmorskin[camo01].esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Desert Camo |
| ccbgsfo4023-powerarmorskin[camo02].esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Swamp Camo |
| ccbgsfo4025-powerarmorskin[chrome].esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Chrome |
| ccbgsfo4033-powerarmorskinwhite.esl | Power Armor Paint Job - White |
| ccbgsfo4024-pacamo03.esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Aquatic Camo |
| ccbgsfo4036-trnsdg.esl | TransDOGrifier |
| ccbgsfo4038-horsearmor.esl | Horse Power Armor |
| ccbgsfo4041-doommarinearmor.esl | Doom Classic Marine Armor |
| ccbgsfo4042-bfg.esl | Doom BFG |
| ccBGSFO4044-HellfirePowerArmor.esl | Hellfire Power Armor |
| ccbgsfo4050-dgbcoll.esl | Border Collie |
| ccbgsfo4051-dgbox.esl | Boxer |
| ccbgsfo4052-dgdal.esl | Dalmatian |
| ccbgsfo4053-dggoldr.esl | Golden Retriever |
| ccbgsfo4054-dggreatd.esl | Great Dane |
| ccbgsfo4055-dghusk.esl | Husky |
| ccbgsfo4056-dglabb.esl | Black Labrador |
| ccbgsfo4057-dglaby.esl | Yellow Labrador |
| ccbgsfo4058-dglabc.esl | Chocolate Labrador |
| ccbgsfo4059-dgpit.esl | Pitbull |
| ccbgsfo4060-dgrot.esl | Rottweiler |
| ccbgsfo4061-dgshiinu.esl | Shiba Inu |
| ccfsvfo4001-modularmilitarybackpack.esl | Modular Military Backpack |
| ccfsvfo4002-midcenturymodern.esl | Modern Furniture Workshop Pack |
| ccfrsfo4001-handmadeshotgun.esl | Handmade Shotgun |
| cceejfo4001-decorationpack.esl | Home Decor Workshop Pack |
| ccrzrfo4001-tunnelsnakes.esm | Tunnel Snakes Rule! |
| ccbgsfo4045-advarcab.esl | Arcade Workshop Pack |
| ccfsvfo4003-slocum.esl | Coffee and Donuts Workshop Pack |
| ccgcafo4001-factionws01army.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Army |
| ccgcafo4002-factionws02acats.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Atom Cats |
| ccgcafo4003-factionws03bos.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Brotherhood of Steel |
| ccgcafo4004-factionws04gun.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Gunners |
| ccgcafo4005-factionws05hrpink.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Hot Rod Pink |
| ccgcafo4006-factionws06hrshark.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Hot Rod Shark |
| ccgcafo4007-factionws07hrflames.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Hot Rod Red Flames |
| ccgcafo4008-factionws08inst.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Institute |
| ccgcafo4009-factionws09mm.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Minutemen |
| ccgcafo4010-factionws10rr.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Railroad |
| ccgcafo4011-factionws11vt.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Vault-Tec |
| ccgcafo4012-factionas01acat.esl | Armor Paint Job - Atom Cats |
| ccgcafo4013-factionas02bos.esl | Armor Paint Job - Brotherhood of Steel |
| ccgcafo4014-factionas03gun.esl | Armor Paint Job - Gunners |
| ccgcafo4015-factionas04hrpink.esl | Armor Paint Job - Hot Rod Pink |
| ccgcafo4016-factionas05hrshark.esl | Armor Paint Job - Hot Rod Shark |
| ccgcafo4017-factionas06inst.esl | Armor Paint Job - Institute |
| ccgcafo4018-factionas07mm.esl | Armor Paint Job - Minutemen |
| ccgcafo4019-factionas08nuk.esl | Armor Paint Job - Nuka Cherry |
| ccygpfo4001-pipcruiser.esl | Armor Paint Job - Cruiser |
| ccgcafo4020-factionas09rr.esl | Armor Paint Job - Railroad |
| ccgcafo4021-factionas10hrflames.esl | Armor Paint Job - Hot Rod Red Flames |
| ccgcafo4022-factionas11vt.esl | Armor Paint Job - Vault-Tec |
| ccgcafo4023-factionas12army.esl | Armor Paint Job - Army |
| ccawnfo4001-brandattire.esl | Graphic T-Shirt Pack |
| ccswkfo4001-astronautpowerarmor.esm | Captain Cosmos |
| ccswkfo4002-pipnuka.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Nuka-Cola |
| ccswkfo4003-pipquan.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Nuka-Cola Quantum |
| ccrzrfo4003-pipover.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Overseer's Edition |
| ccrzrfo4004-pipinst.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - The Institute |
| ccbgsfo4062-pippat.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Patriotic |
| ccfrsfo4002-antimaterielrifle.esl | Anti-Materiel Rifle |
| cceejfo4004-nuka.esl | Nuka-Cola Collector Workshop |
| ccbgsfo4072-pipgrog.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Grognak |
| ccbgsfo4073-pipmman.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Manta Man |
| ccbgsfo4074-pipinspt.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Inspector |
| ccbgsfo4075-pipshroud.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Silver Shroud |
| ccbgsfo4076-pipmystery.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Mistress of Mystery |
| ccbgsfo4071-piparc.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - ArcJet |
| ccbgsfo4079-pipvim.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Vim! |
| ccbgsfo4078-pipreilly.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Reilly's Rangers |
| ccbgsfo4077-piprocket.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Red Rocket |
| ccbgsfo4070-pipabra.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Abraxo |
| ccbgsfo4008-pipgrn.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Green |
| ccbgsfo4015-pipyell.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Yellow |
| ccbgsfo4009-piporan.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Orange |
| ccbgsfo4011-pippurp.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Purple |
| ccbgsfo4021-powerarmorskinblue.esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Blue |
| ccbgsfo4027-powerarmorskingreen.esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Green |
| ccbgsfo4034-powerarmorskinyellow.esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Yellow |
| ccbgsfo4028-powerarmorskinorange.esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Orange |
| ccbgsfo4031-powerarmorskinred.esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Red |
| ccbgsfo4030-powerarmorskinpurple.esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Purple |
| ccbgsfo4032-powerarmorskintan.esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Tan |
| ccbgsfo4029-powerarmorskinpink.esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Pink |
| ccgrcfo4001-pipgreytort.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Grey Totoise |
| ccgrcfo4002-pipgreenvim.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Vim Refresh |
| ccbgsfo4013-piptan.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Tan |
| ccbgsfo4010-pippnk.esl | Pip Boy Paint Job - Pink |
| ccsbjfo4001-solarflare.esl | Solar Cannon |
| cczsefo4001-bhouse.esm | Charlestown Condo |
| cctosfo4001-neosky.esm | Noir Penthouse |
| cckgjfo4001-bastion.esl | Settlement Ambush Kit |
| ccbgsfo4063-papat.esl | Power Armor Paint Job - Patriotic |
| ccqdrfo44001_powerarmorai.esl | Sentinel Control System Companion |
| ccbgsfo4048-dovah.esl | Fantasy Hero Set |
| ccbgsfo4101-as_shi.esl | Armor Paint Job - Shi |
| ccbgsfo4114-ws_shi.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Shi |
| ccBGSFO4115-X02.esl | X-02 Power Armor |
| ccrzrfo4002-disintegrate.esl | Zetan Arsenal |
| ccBGSFO4116-HeavyFlamer.esl | Heavy Incinerator |
| ccbgsfo4091-as_bats.esl | Armor Paint Job - Bats |
| ccbgsfo4092-as_camoblue.esl | Armor Paint Job - Aquatic Camo |
| ccbgsfo4093-as_camogreen.esl | Armor Paint Job - Swamp Camo |
| ccbgsfo4094-as_camotan.esl | Armor Paint Job - Desert Camo |
| ccbgsfo4097-as_jack-olantern.esl | Armor Paint Job - Jack O'Lantern |
| ccbgsfo4104-ws_bats.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Bats |
| ccbgsfo4105-ws_camoblue.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Aquatic Camo |
| ccbgsfo4106-ws_camogreen.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Swamp Camo |
| ccbgsfo4107-ws_camotan.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Desert Camo |
| ccbgsfo4111-ws_jack-olantern.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Jack O'Lantern |
| ccbgsfo4118-ws_tunnelsnakes.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Tunnel Snakes |
| ccbgsfo4113-ws_reillysrangers.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Reilly's Rangers |
| ccbgsfo4112-ws_pickman.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Pickman |
| ccBGSFO4110-WS_Enclave.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Enclave |
| ccbgsfo4108-ws_childrenofatom.esl | Weapon Paint Job - Children of Atom |
| ccbgsfo4103-ws_tunnelsnakes.esl | Armor Paint Job - Tunnel Snakes |
| ccbgsfo4099-as_reilysrangers.esl | Armor Paint Job - Reilly's Rangers |
| ccbgsfo4098-as_pickman.esl | Armor Paint Job - Pickman |
| ccBGSFO4096-AS_Enclave.esl | Armor Paint Job - Enclave |
| ccbgsfo4095-as_childrenofatom.esl | Armor Paint Job - Children of Atom |
| ccbgsfo4090-piptribal.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Tribal |
| ccbgsfo4089-pipsynthwave.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Neon Sunrise |
| ccbgsfo4087-piphaida.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Haida |
| ccbgsfo4085-piphawaii.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Hawaii |
| ccbgsfo4084-pipretro.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Corvega |
| ccbgsfo4083-pipartdeco.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Art Deco |
| ccbgsfo4082-pipprc.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Five-Star Red |
| ccbgsfo4081-pipphenolresin.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Phenol Resin |
| ccbgsfo4080-pippop.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Pop |
| ccbgsfo4035-pint.esl | Pint-Sized Slasher |
| ccbgsfo4086-pipadventure.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Adventure |
| ccjvdfo4001-holiday.esl | Holiday Workshop Pack |
| ccbgsfo4047-qthund.esl | Quake Thundersbolt |
| ccfrsfo4003-cr75l.esl | CR-74L Combat Rifle |
| cczsefo4002-smanor.esm | Shroud Manor |
| ccacxfo4001-vsuit.esl | Vault Suit Customization |
| ccbgsfo4040-vrworkshop01.esl | Virtual Workshop |
| ccfsvfo4005-vrdesertisland.esl | Virtual Workshop |
| ccfsvfo4006-vrwasteland.esl | Virtual Workshop |
| ccFSVFO4007-Halloween.esl | Halloween Workshop Pack |
| ccsbjfo4002_manwellrifle.esl | Manwell Rifle Set |
| cctosfo4002-neonflats.esm | Neon Flats |
| ccbgsfo4117-capmerc.esl | Capital Wasteland Mercenaries |
| ccfsvfo4004-vrworkshopgnrplaza.esl | Virtual Workshop |
| ccBGSFO4046-TesCan.esl | Tesla Cannon |
| ccgcafo4025-pagunmm.esl | Gunners vs. Minutemen |
| cccrsfo4001-pipcoa.esl | Pip-Boy Paint Job - Children of Atom |
| ccSBJFO4003-Grenade.esl | Makeshift Weapon Pack |
| ccOTMFO4001-Remnants.esl | Enclave Remnants |
Fallout 76[]
SeventySix.esm(Base game)NW.esm(Nuclear Winter battle royale mode)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 GECK data files page
- ↑ GECK data files page: "Load order determines the order in which mods lay their cards down on the table. Fallout3 goes first, then the next mod in load order, up to the last mod. Whenever two mods conflict, the later loading mod will win."
- ↑ Bethesda GECK glossary: "A Record is any discrete unit of data that gets saved to an .esp file. Base Objects and References are both Records, as are other things such as Game Settings."