MWSE vs SMAPI

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.

SMAPI is a mod loader for Stardew Valley, with plugin support, mod profiles, dependency handling, and load-order control. Its listed plan costs nothing. SMAPI supports Linux, macOS, Windows, Steam Deck, and Android, and is compatible with GOG and Steam achievements. The stated requirement is Stardew Valley 1.6.14 or later on Linux, macOS, Windows, or Steam Deck. Version 4.5 adds in-game configuration, performance improvements, automated and attested builds, and detection of malicious files. SMAPI.io also provides modding documentation and source code for creators, plus a mod compatibility list, log parser, JSON validator, and mod stats page. The parser can analyze and share submitted logs and show suggested fixes for common issues. The compatibility list is no longer comprehensively updated each month, and its future is uncertain. Update checks send game, SMAPI, and mod versions as well as platform type, but users can disable them. Log and JSON submissions are stored in obfuscated form for 30 days. The maker says SMAPI can be uninstalled at any time and points users to Discord and Reddit for community help.