Hollow Knight Modding API vs MWSE

Hollow Knight Modding API is a free, open-source API and loader for Hollow Knight modifications. Its primary purpose is helping mods work together; it does little independently, but several mods require it to run. Loading uses injection, and the project provides load-order control. The implementation uses MonoMod. The repository includes examples for mod developers and links to API documentation on a DocFX site. Users can obtain a release or installer, then copy release ZIP contents into the Hollow Knight game folder or install through Scarab. The latest listed release is ModdingAPI v77 for Hollow Knight 1.5.78.11833, with checksums for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The supported game is Hollow Knight, and supported operating systems are Windows, Linux, and macOS. The project is distributed under the MIT license, which supplies the software as-is and disclaims warranties and liability. Steam and GOG users are instructed to verify or repair the game installation when removing it. There are no paid tiers or usage limits stated.

MWSE adds scripting capabilities to The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind beyond those provided by the game's Construction Set. It gives mod authors ways to add features or behavior that would otherwise be impractical or impossible. From version 2.1, modifications can use Lua for event-driven behavior, with hooks for events such as level-ups, collisions and world activations. MWSE exposes APIs through Lua 5.1, with extensions from Lua 5.2 and Lua 5.3. Mods are not sandboxed, so they can include packaged Lua modules and native code. Included patches raise the mod limit from 256 to 1024, and crash dumps and logs help diagnose mod problems. MWSE is free software under the GNU General Public License and comes with no warranty. It supports Windows and Linux through Wine. Installation requires the x86 Visual Studio 2022 Redistributable, Morrowind Code Patch and Morrowind Graphic Extender XE. MGE XE bundles MWSE-Update.exe, which downloads the latest automated build. The project directs scripting advice and discussion to the Morrowind Modding Community Discord.