ModTek vs RED4ext

ModTek is a free mod loader for HBS’s BattleTech PC game. It loads mods at game startup when they use the mod.json format, allowing modders to package self-contained changes without overwriting game files. It resolves dependencies and controls load order without requiring edits to VersionManifest.csv. The project says newer versions include DLC support not present in BattleTech’s built-in 1.7 loader. It supports BattleTech installations from Steam and GOG on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Installation uses a downloadable ZIP extracted into the game’s installation folder; the instructions warn that the game should be outside Program Files because Windows UAC protection can interfere. Version 3 and later use UnityDoorstop to load ModTek without modifying game files. The repository documents JSON and DLL mods, advanced JSON merging, manifest manipulation, and HarmonyX support. The project is licensed under LGPL-2.1. Linux instructions describe a system-wide ASLR change as an obsolete, insecure workaround and provide an environment-variable fix instead.

RED4ext is a free Windows script extender and plugin manager for Cyberpunk 2077. It gives modders access to the game's scripting system so plugins can add features, alter behavior, add scripting functions, or call existing game functions. RED4ext loads plugins only for supported game runtime versions, while also allowing plugins aimed at the latest defined runtime or independent of runtime versions. RED4ext.SDK exposes the scripting virtual machine, native classes and functions, and reversed game structures. Developers can use any toolchain that produces x86-64 output with the __fastcall calling convention, including CMake, Premake, or Visual Studio. Plugins can attach custom game states around game-system availability and are placed in red4ext/plugins. Each plugin receives a logger, with named logs under red4ext/logs. Configuration is TOML stored in red4ext/config.ini, where plugin loading and individual plugins can be disabled. The MIT-licensed project lists v1.30.0 as its latest release.