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About this mod
You can't stop the press! POE brings Diamond City's newspaper to life with 20,000 words of new articles for 31 quests, multiple outcomes, improved textures and support for magazine racks.
- Requirements
- Permissions and credits
- Mirrors
- Changelogs
- Donations
What kind of newspaper only prints five articles? What does Piper do in her spare time? How can Nat afford to eat?
Publick Occurrences Expanded is a simple immersion mod that adds extra news articles from the pen of Piper Wright. Simply check in with Nat (at Publick Occurrences in Diamond City) to find new, lore-friendly coverage of your adventures in the Commonwealth.
To start receiving the articles, you will need to complete 'Story of the Century' and gain the option of Piper as a companion. This mod is best enjoyed from the start of a new save, so you don't get all of the articles at once.
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Features
* Non-parent Vault Dweller origin only. See optional files.
** Currently DLC version only. Does not require Better Notes. Clean install required for V3.4.1
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Quests covered
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Changelog
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Recommended mods
UFO4P - Better Notes Patch by AlyLovelace
Applies the typo fixes from UFO4P to Better Notes. Not required, but useful if this bothers you!
The following mods should no longer necessary as of V3.4:
Publick Occurrences Expanded - UFO4P Patch by Iqbalev
Publick Occurrences Expanded - DLC-SS2-UFO4P Patch by Exoclyps
Note for VR users
As of V3.4.1, the VR version of the mod uses new form IDs to ensure full compatibility and prevent crashes. As a result, this is effectively a new mod, and will not work as an upgrade from V3.3.1.
To perform a clean install for an existing save, disable the old mod, then launch your game and save it. Then install the new version. You will then receive all of the articles again from scratch.
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Plans
Install instructions:
Mod manager (Vortex, MO2 etc)
Manual installation
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Compatibility
VIS-G
As I understand it, VIS-G uses a different sorting structure to VIS. I can take a look at patching it if there's high demand, but I have no interest in using it in my own playthroughs, so I won't be able to test it. I personally use Simple Sorter, which is 100% compatible with this mod as long as it's set up correctly (see below!).
Simple Sorter
Simple Sorter is still fully compatible with POE as of V3.2. However, if you were already using Simple Sorter before updating this mod, you will have to delete and rebuild your patch. Amending your existing patch will not work and will break the new behaviours I've added to the articles (perk mag and magazine racks).
Note Racks
As Note Racks overwrites all existing note formatting and behaviours, it will break the new paper and fonts on the base game's issues of Publick Occurrences, as well as the other notes improved by Better Notes. Mine should still display correctly, but the inconsistency between the two may bother you. POE V2.2 added this feature for all of my articles - I can patch all other notes if there's demand for it.
UI mods (various)
I've been informed that certain UI mods (possibly including Bhaal's Better Sorting) may clash with the fonts from Better Notes, causing an issue where black boxes appear instead of text. I'm looking into patching this, and have provided a No Fonts version of the mod in the meantime. See below for a more detailed explanation & fix!
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FAQs
Q. Does Piper need to be in my party to receive the articles?
A: No - you will still receive all of the articles from Nat regardless of where Piper is. I've tried to write them in a way that makes sense whether she's with you or not. The only thing I haven't accounted for is if she hates you, and will no longer join your party (you monster).
You'll have to figure out your own headcanon as to how she learns the news, or how she manages to write articles and send them back while travelling. Caravans and settlements can pass on messages, though, so I don't think it's too outlandish.
Q. Nat isn't giving me any articles! What gives?
A. The most likely answer is that you haven't completed the quest 'Story of the Century' yet, where Piper interviews you for the newspaper. As some players were completing quests before ever reaching Diamond City, they would speak to Nat for the first time and receive articles that referenced an existing relationship with Piper. This was the easiest way to avoid breaking immersion - sorry for the inconvenience!
Q. Would you consider adding AI generated voice lines?
A. No, sorry. I've messed around with ElevenLabs, and it's an incredible tool, but I can't justify stealing someone's voice, much less someone whose performance I love (and who is openly against AI voice replication). If anyone wants to start crowdfunding for some OG Courtney Ford and deal with Bethesda's lawyers, be my guest - I'll happily write the script.
Q. Why hasn't the No Fonts version of the mod been updated?
A. I stopped updating this version as very few people seem to have issues with Better Notes. However, the VR version is essentially the No Fonts mod for DLC users, as the fonts are the only thing that doesn't work properly in VR. Try it if you have font issues or just don't like them!
Q. I lost my copy of an article. Can I get another one?
A. While there aren't any spare copies, you can find all of the articles backed up on Piper's terminal inside Publick Occurrences. One of them even contains an Easter egg that you won't find in the regular article, so look out for that!
If you want though, you can use In Game ESP Explorer to view all the articles, and manually add them to your inventory. Spoiler warning, obviously!
Q. I can't get the Jamaica Plains note to trigger!
A. You'll only get this one if you sell the World Series bat to Moe Cronin, and not when the quest actually finishes. Sorry not sorry ;)
Q. I updated from a version prior to V2.2 and now I can't find the articles. Where are they?
A. Depending on the sorting mod you use, the articles will likely have moved to wherever your perk magazines (e.g. Guns and Bullets, Grognak) are sorted in the Misc tab. This is one of the side effects of copying the perk magazine behaviours, and means you don't have to dig through hundreds of regular notes to find the articles.
Q. I can't see the articles in Piper's terminal! What's up?
A. Only one person has reported this issue, which makes me think it's a compatibility problem rather than a bug. Try putting POE at the bottom of your load order. If that doesn't work, leave a bug report with your mod list and I'll see what I can do.
Q. I'm seeing black boxes instead of text when I open the articles!
A. This appears to be an issue with other mods overwriting the interface/FontConfig.txt file from Better Notes. Let me know which mod is overwriting it if you find it (double click -> 'Conflicts' in MO), and I can work on a patch.
The easiest way to fix this is to put POE and Better Notes as far down in your load order as possible, to ensure that the FontConfig file from Better Notes is given priority. However, this may break fonts added by your other mods.
You can fix this by manually amending the FontConfig file in Better Notes. Open both files (from Better Notes and the other mod) and copy-paste any differences (i.e. the fonts that the other mod adds) into the BN FontConfig file, then save. If BN and POE are below that mod, this should retain the fonts from the other mod and fix the issue with BN/POE.
If this is too much hassle, I've now added a standalone version without Better Notes, which adds the paper texture from BN but doesn't modify the fonts. As of writing, this still needs updating to V3.0 - I'm working on this at the moment.
Q. The articles are triggering, but Nat doesn't talk / Nat is talking, but the articles don't trigger / Nat says one voice line when receiving an article, but the subtitles/lip sync are different!
A. Please let me know which of the four versions of the mod you're using, and the quest that isn't working, and I'll look into it ASAP.
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Publick Occurrences Expanded is a simple immersion mod that adds extra news articles from the pen of Piper Wright. Simply check in with Nat (at Publick Occurrences in Diamond City) to find new, lore-friendly coverage of your adventures in the Commonwealth.
To start receiving the articles, you will need to complete 'Story of the Century' and gain the option of Piper as a companion. This mod is best enjoyed from the start of a new save, so you don't get all of the articles at once.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Features
- 20,000 words covering 31 major quests
- Different articles for certain 'good' and 'bad' outcomes
- Improved fonts and paper textures (thanks to Better Notes)
- Display your collected articles on magazine racks
- Lost your articles? Read them on Piper's terminal (with bonus content!)
- DLC and non-DLC versions
- Support for Start Me Up Redux *
- Support for VR **
- New content for Sim Settlements 2
- 100% lore-friendly Piperian prose
* Non-parent Vault Dweller origin only. See optional files.
** Currently DLC version only. Does not require Better Notes. Clean install required for V3.4.1
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Quests covered
Spoiler:
Vanilla
Far Harbor ***
Nuka World
Sim Settlements 2 (mod)
* Side quests with different outcomes
** Main quest outcomes
*** New Piper terminal content
Show
Vanilla
- Vault 81 (first entry)
- Hole in the Wall *
- Last Voyage of the U.S.S. Constitution *
- The Devil's Due *
- Brotherhood of Steel arrival (main quest)
- Confidence Man
- Find the Treasures of Jamaica Plain
- The Silver Shroud
- Human Error
- The Secret of Cabot House *
- Curtain Call ***
- Here There Be Monsters
- Long Time Coming
- Alien crash ***
- The Disappearing Act
- When Freedom Calls
- The Glowing Sea
- Institutionalized
- Mystery Meat
- Galleria
Far Harbor ***
- Brain Dead
- The Way Life Should Be **
- Cleansing the Land **
- Reformation **
- Forbidden Knowledge **
- Search and Destroy **
Nuka World
- All Aboard
- The Grand Tour
- Power Play **
- Open Season **
Sim Settlements 2 (mod)
- Memory Lane
- Picking up the Pieces
- End of the Beginning **
- Calling Potential Deputies
- Conquering Principal Dwelling *
* Side quests with different outcomes
** Main quest outcomes
*** New Piper terminal content
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Changelog
Spoiler:
V3.4.1
V3.4
V3.3.1
V3.3
V3.2.1
V3.2
V3.1
V3.0
V2.2
V2.1
V2.0
Show
V3.4.1
- Fixed problems with VR version
V3.4
- Two new vanilla quests
- Three new Sim Settlements 2 quests
- Fixed missing note pickup sound from UFO4P
- ESLified mod for better compatibility (thanks to Exoclyps)
- Fixed broken formatting on base game note
- Consolidated audio files
- Added VR Edition to combined installer
- Added article from Ravenhart Edition to terminal
- Minor rewrites and corrections
V3.3.1
- Fixed broken article trigger in DLC version
- Fixed issue where player could receive both Cabot articles
- Added missing terminal entry trigger for Far Harbor ending
- Fixed incomplete terminal article
- Minor corrections and adjustments
V3.3
- New combined installer for DLC and non-DLC versions
- Two new main quests
- Two Sim Settlements 2 quests
- Four new entries on Piper's terminal (Complaints & Letters)
- Fixed incorrect terminal articles trigger
- Minor corrections and adjustments
V3.2.1
- Fixed spelling error & missing sentence in 'A World of Hurt'
- Edited installer to clarify that Story of the Century is now a required quest
V3.2
- Two new vanilla quests
- Four Nuka World quests (good and bad endings)
- Articles now require you to complete Story of the Century
- Various corrections and adjustments
V3.1
- Fixed Covenant article trigger
- Minor corrections and adjustments
V3.0
- Three new vanilla quests (see spoiler above)
- Two new Far Harbor quests (including SIX different main quest endings!)
- Unlocked articles are now available on Piper's terminal at Publick Occurrences
- Restored A Devil's Due 'good' ending
- Fixed Nat's audio/lip sync bug
- Fixed broken 'Fall of the House of Cabot' article
- Minor corrections and adjustments
- Added optional PDF with all articles/endings
V2.2
- New article "A Comedy of Errors" (see above for specific quest)
- Articles now act like perk magazines when picked up
- Articles can now be placed on magazine racks
- Rebuilt from 1.3 version - may solve some reported issues
- Removed Salem 'good' ending, wasn't happy with this. Will rewrite for next version
V2.1
- Fixed excessive blank space on first pages
- Resolved issues with text alignment
- Added Valdacil's Item Sorting (VIS) patch and standalone (no Better Notes) as optional files
V2.0
- Better Notes is now a required mod (better fonts and paper texture)
- Removed all faction-specific references (no more 'Minutemen General')
- Fixed quest trigger for Salem 'good' ending
- Added new article for Salem 'bad' ending
- Further grammar and copy tweaks
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Recommended mods
UFO4P - Better Notes Patch by AlyLovelace
Applies the typo fixes from UFO4P to Better Notes. Not required, but useful if this bothers you!
The following mods should no longer necessary as of V3.4:
Note for VR users
As of V3.4.1, the VR version of the mod uses new form IDs to ensure full compatibility and prevent crashes. As a result, this is effectively a new mod, and will not work as an upgrade from V3.3.1.
To perform a clean install for an existing save, disable the old mod, then launch your game and save it. Then install the new version. You will then receive all of the articles again from scratch.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Plans
Update VIS and No Fonts for V3.1Done!Add ability to display newspapers on racksDone!More vanilla questsDone!DLC questsDone!- Player-specific gender pronouns
- Reports on random encounters
- Integrate physical copies into world (deliveries?)
- Pre-War newspapers (Boston Bugle?)
Add new letters & notes to Piper's terminalDone!- Inform the player whenever there's a new article
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Install instructions:
Mod manager (Vortex, MO2 etc)
- Install Better Notes (skip if using VR Edition/No Fonts)
- Install POE in your mod manager of choice
- Enable both .esp files in your load order
- Place both mods as low as possible in your load order, with Better Notes above POE
- Optional: if using Simple Sorter, disable your patch and create a new one. Do not click amend - this will break the new behaviours.
- You're good to go! Check in with Nat after you've completed some quests. You should get an article on your exploits.
Manual installation
- Install Better Notes (skip if using VR Edition/No Fonts)
- Extract the archive
- Open the folder that corresponds to your mod list
- Extract the .esp file and the folders 'Scripts' and 'Sounds' into your data folder (usually Program Files/Steam/steamapps/common/Fallout4/data)
- Enable both mods in your in-game mod menu, ensuring POE is below Better Notes and other master files (SS2 etc.)
- Check that loose files are enabled (this is usually handled by mod managers)
- You're good to go! Check in with Nat after you've completed some quests. You should get an article on your exploits.
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Compatibility
VIS-G
As I understand it, VIS-G uses a different sorting structure to VIS. I can take a look at patching it if there's high demand, but I have no interest in using it in my own playthroughs, so I won't be able to test it. I personally use Simple Sorter, which is 100% compatible with this mod as long as it's set up correctly (see below!).
Simple Sorter
Simple Sorter is still fully compatible with POE as of V3.2. However, if you were already using Simple Sorter before updating this mod, you will have to delete and rebuild your patch. Amending your existing patch will not work and will break the new behaviours I've added to the articles (perk mag and magazine racks).
Note Racks
As Note Racks overwrites all existing note formatting and behaviours, it will break the new paper and fonts on the base game's issues of Publick Occurrences, as well as the other notes improved by Better Notes. Mine should still display correctly, but the inconsistency between the two may bother you. POE V2.2 added this feature for all of my articles - I can patch all other notes if there's demand for it.
UI mods (various)
I've been informed that certain UI mods (possibly including Bhaal's Better Sorting) may clash with the fonts from Better Notes, causing an issue where black boxes appear instead of text. I'm looking into patching this, and have provided a No Fonts version of the mod in the meantime. See below for a more detailed explanation & fix!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
FAQs
Q. Does Piper need to be in my party to receive the articles?
A: No - you will still receive all of the articles from Nat regardless of where Piper is. I've tried to write them in a way that makes sense whether she's with you or not. The only thing I haven't accounted for is if she hates you, and will no longer join your party (you monster).
You'll have to figure out your own headcanon as to how she learns the news, or how she manages to write articles and send them back while travelling. Caravans and settlements can pass on messages, though, so I don't think it's too outlandish.
Q. Nat isn't giving me any articles! What gives?
A. The most likely answer is that you haven't completed the quest 'Story of the Century' yet, where Piper interviews you for the newspaper. As some players were completing quests before ever reaching Diamond City, they would speak to Nat for the first time and receive articles that referenced an existing relationship with Piper. This was the easiest way to avoid breaking immersion - sorry for the inconvenience!
Q. Would you consider adding AI generated voice lines?
A. No, sorry. I've messed around with ElevenLabs, and it's an incredible tool, but I can't justify stealing someone's voice, much less someone whose performance I love (and who is openly against AI voice replication). If anyone wants to start crowdfunding for some OG Courtney Ford and deal with Bethesda's lawyers, be my guest - I'll happily write the script.
Q. Why hasn't the No Fonts version of the mod been updated?
A. I stopped updating this version as very few people seem to have issues with Better Notes. However, the VR version is essentially the No Fonts mod for DLC users, as the fonts are the only thing that doesn't work properly in VR. Try it if you have font issues or just don't like them!
Q. I lost my copy of an article. Can I get another one?
A. While there aren't any spare copies, you can find all of the articles backed up on Piper's terminal inside Publick Occurrences. One of them even contains an Easter egg that you won't find in the regular article, so look out for that!
If you want though, you can use In Game ESP Explorer to view all the articles, and manually add them to your inventory. Spoiler warning, obviously!
Q. I can't get the Jamaica Plains note to trigger!
A. You'll only get this one if you sell the World Series bat to Moe Cronin, and not when the quest actually finishes. Sorry not sorry ;)
Q. I updated from a version prior to V2.2 and now I can't find the articles. Where are they?
A. Depending on the sorting mod you use, the articles will likely have moved to wherever your perk magazines (e.g. Guns and Bullets, Grognak) are sorted in the Misc tab. This is one of the side effects of copying the perk magazine behaviours, and means you don't have to dig through hundreds of regular notes to find the articles.
Q. I can't see the articles in Piper's terminal! What's up?
A. Only one person has reported this issue, which makes me think it's a compatibility problem rather than a bug. Try putting POE at the bottom of your load order. If that doesn't work, leave a bug report with your mod list and I'll see what I can do.
Q. I'm seeing black boxes instead of text when I open the articles!
A. This appears to be an issue with other mods overwriting the interface/FontConfig.txt file from Better Notes. Let me know which mod is overwriting it if you find it (double click -> 'Conflicts' in MO), and I can work on a patch.
The easiest way to fix this is to put POE and Better Notes as far down in your load order as possible, to ensure that the FontConfig file from Better Notes is given priority. However, this may break fonts added by your other mods.
You can fix this by manually amending the FontConfig file in Better Notes. Open both files (from Better Notes and the other mod) and copy-paste any differences (i.e. the fonts that the other mod adds) into the BN FontConfig file, then save. If BN and POE are below that mod, this should retain the fonts from the other mod and fix the issue with BN/POE.
If this is too much hassle, I've now added a standalone version without Better Notes, which adds the paper texture from BN but doesn't modify the fonts. As of writing, this still needs updating to V3.0 - I'm working on this at the moment.
Q. The articles are triggering, but Nat doesn't talk / Nat is talking, but the articles don't trigger / Nat says one voice line when receiving an article, but the subtitles/lip sync are different!
A. Please let me know which of the four versions of the mod you're using, and the quest that isn't working, and I'll look into it ASAP.
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Acknowledgements
Primary thanks to moTechPlz for their mod Better Notes, which this mod relies on. Thanks to SkiesOfJadedLight for their invaluable help with the SMU Redux patch, and to Exoclyps for sending me some much better optimised files!
Going back a bit, thanks to dandiersphinx for making the original mod FOMOD compatible, Taulurium for the first VIS patch, and FritzTCoyote for the original Better Notes conversion, which formed the basis of my first big update. Find and kudos them!
This is my first mod for anything - as such there's a chance I've screwed something up. I also have a number of ideas that are way beyond me - stocking the reports at settlement shops, and the ever-elusive player pronouns (I've never been able to replicate how Story of the Century does it).
If anyone has any ideas/can improve on this concept, or wants to use the content for another project, get in touch!
Primary thanks to moTechPlz for their mod Better Notes, which this mod relies on. Thanks to SkiesOfJadedLight for their invaluable help with the SMU Redux patch, and to Exoclyps for sending me some much better optimised files!
Going back a bit, thanks to dandiersphinx for making the original mod FOMOD compatible, Taulurium for the first VIS patch, and FritzTCoyote for the original Better Notes conversion, which formed the basis of my first big update. Find and kudos them!
This is my first mod for anything - as such there's a chance I've screwed something up. I also have a number of ideas that are way beyond me - stocking the reports at settlement shops, and the ever-elusive player pronouns (I've never been able to replicate how Story of the Century does it).
If anyone has any ideas/can improve on this concept, or wants to use the content for another project, get in touch!