Grace

Hi, Rask. While mods have been out for a long time, the addition of the official mod toolkit and Patch 7's in-game mod menu has caused an increase in modding involvement. Plus, some users are hesitant to utilize apps such as BGMM in fear of corrupting files and such, so the IGMM makes modding more approachable and accessible to those who aren't as familiar with these tasks.

As for why this wasn't possible prior to Patch 7 - the mod simply didn't exist until Patch 7. There have been similar mods in the past that enable Alfira as a Hireling, but this is the first mod that allows players to recruit her as a companion, complete with her own "recruitment scene" and camp tent etc.