Despite Bethesda consistently playing down any sort of multiplayer from Bethesda Game Studios-developed titles, co-op remains a hot topic among fans of both The Elder Scrolls and Fallout.

Thankfully, Bethesda is one of those studios who not only supports the mod community, but often feeds from them. A new mod in early alpha stage, Skyrim Online, adds a co-op element where players can meet up, chat and exchange in-game items (ala Diablo). It's an ambitious modding project, to be sure, and anyone keen to get in on it needs to follow the instructions carefully, because you might end up ruining your solo game, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.

Does this mean Bethesda will consider adding co-op functionality any time in the future? Only time, and this mod's success and support, will tell.

Watch a video outlining Skyrim Online embedded below, and click here for more details directly from the modder's mouth.