I can't find where or how you skip the intro.

Have you tried playing it through once, and then starting a new game?

Have you tried playing it through once, and then starting a new game?

 

I have yet to make it thru an entire play thru that didn't erode into a mess of bugged quests requiring me to abandon and delete those game saves.

In my case there was an empty buttoon under „start“ in the menu with the difficulties. Just klick in that and enjoy playing without that annoying walk

 

Have you tried playing it through once, and then starting a new game?

I have yet to make it thru an entire play thru that didn't erode into a mess of bugged quests requiring me to abandon and delete those game saves.

I meant, have you tried playing through the intro once after you installed the beta patch and then tried to start a new game? From what I have heard you should be able to skip the intro then.