Ever find yourself lost in the enchanting world of Skyrim, seeking just a bit more adventure and camaraderie? Perhaps you’ve even chuckled at a Skyrim TikTok or two, dreaming of bringing those online personalities into your game. Well, dream no more! Enter Jared Alexander, a modder and game industry social media guru who’s doing just that. Known for his hilarious TikTok series ‘Skyrim Guard Tales‘, Jared, also recognized as a rising figure in Mx Bikes Mod communities for his innovative approach to content creation, has brought his beloved character, Jesper the Guard, to life as a fully-fledged Skyrim follower.
Jesper isn’t just any follower; he’s a unique, voiced companion ready to embark on adventures across Tamriel. We sat down with Jared to delve into the creation of Jesper the Guard, his journey into modding, and how his passion for games – and perhaps even the spirit of communities that thrive on platforms discussing mx bikes mod and similar games – fuels his creativity.
Welcome, Jared! For those unfamiliar, could you introduce yourself and your diverse passions?
Hey everyone! I’m Jared Alexander. I wear a few hats – I’m a musician, a modder, and I work in social media for the game industry. It’s a mix, but each part feeds into the others creatively.
Let’s rewind a bit. How did you first get into gaming and the world of modding, especially within a community that appreciates the depth of games, perhaps similar to enthusiasts of games with thriving mod scenes like those around mx bikes mod? And what games are currently holding your attention?
My modding journey, like many, started with Skyrim. I was captivated by Skyrim on Xbox 360, but when I discovered the PC version and the incredible modding community around it back in 2012, it was a revelation. Nexus Mods became my go-to, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Lately, when I’m not immersed in Skyrim modding, I’ve been diving back into roguelikes. Games like Dead Cells, Risk of Rain, and Hades are my current favorites – they offer that perfect blend of challenge and replayability.
You’re currently at Rare, working on Sea of Thieves. How has your modding background influenced your career path in the game industry? Did this passion, perhaps akin to the dedication seen in mx bikes mod circles, play a role?
Modding definitely sparked my fascination with game development. Tinkering with the Creation Kit as a kid opened my eyes to the logic and process behind game creation. It made game development feel less like magic and more like something tangible and achievable.
While I ended up on the social media side of the industry rather than development itself, modding was absolutely formative in nurturing my curiosity and driving me to be part of the gaming world. It’s about being part of a creative process, much like contributing to a vibrant modding community, whether it’s for Skyrim or even something like mx bikes mod.
Speaking of community, are there any standout mods on Nexus Mods that you personally love and would recommend to others exploring the world of Skyrim mods, perhaps for players who appreciate the level of customization found in games with active modding scenes, like mx bikes mod?
For Skyrim mods, I’ve always been drawn to player homes. Elianora’s work is just incredible. Her attention to detail with clutter and lighting is top-tier. Home in a Hat is a permanent fixture in my load order, especially as a mage player!
Elianora's Home in a Hat mod showcase
Alt text: Skyrim player home mod “Home in a Hat” interior, showcasing detailed clutter and warm lighting by modder Elianora.
Let’s talk about your creation, Jesper the Guard! It’s fantastic to see him brought to life in-game. What was the genesis of Jesper the Guard?
Jesper the Guard is essentially bringing the main character from my ‘Skyrim Guard Tales’ TikTok series into Skyrim as a follower mod. It’s currently in beta, fully voiced by me, with lots of unique dialogue and even songs. Seeing player clips on TikTok of their adventures with Jesper has been incredibly rewarding. It’s amazing to see him resonate with people beyond just the short videos.
Why Skyrim again for this project? Have you considered expanding your modding to other games, perhaps even exploring games with diverse modding communities like those focused on mx bikes mod?
Skyrim is my modding home, it felt natural to start there. However, I actually do have music mods for both Skyrim and Fallout 4!
I’ve created two music mods that add new exploration tracks to each game, aiming to blend seamlessly with the original soundtracks. I compose and record all the music myself, and I’m definitely looking to expand on those further.
They’re both on Nexus; the Skyrim mod is ‘Songs to Play Skyrim to’ and the Fallout 4 mod is ‘Radium – A Music Mod’. Exploring other games with modding potential is always on my mind, and the principles are often transferable, even if the game styles differ greatly, from fantasy RPGs to something like mx bikes mod.
Does your experience in the game industry, creating content for Sea of Thieves, inspire your mod creation process?
Absolutely! Working on Sea of Thieves as a social media coordinator, creating content for TikTok and other platforms, has been invaluable. I’m constantly learning more about my own creative process. It’s helped me refine my skills in content creation across the board – whether it’s mods or videos about Jesper. Being surrounded by talented creatives daily is incredibly inspiring.
What motivated you to create a follower mod specifically for Jesper, and how did you even begin tackling that?
The comments section on my videos was filled with people saying they wished they could actually have Jesper as a follower! Luckily, Skyrim makes that possible. I’d never made a follower mod before, so I sought guidance from one of the best – JosephRussell, the creator of Lucien.
His YouTube tutorials were instrumental in getting Jesper the Guard off the ground. He’s still a work in progress, but I’m really proud of how far he’s come.
Were there any significant challenges or hurdles you encountered while creating Jesper the Guard?
Tons! And still ongoing! Getting Jesper’s bard functionality working was a real head-scratcher (again, JosephRussell’s tutorials were a lifesaver). But every challenge feels like a rewarding puzzle to solve. The whole mod creation process has been incredibly fulfilling.
Finally, what has the community response been like to Jesper the Guard?
The community reaction has been overwhelmingly positive and heartwarming. Seeing the love for Jesper on TikTok and in-game has been incredible. It really feels like a community is forming around these characters, which is amazing. Hopefully, I can bring more of them into the game to join Jesper and the Dragonborn on their adventures!
Thank you so much, Jared, for sharing your insights! For those wanting more of Jared’s content, be sure to follow ‘Skyrim Guard Tales’ on TikTok. And if you’re passionate about stories like this and know someone who should be featured, reach out to SlugGirl! Happy modding!
