RED4ext vs Starfield Script Extender
RED4ext
docs.red4ext.comStarfield Script Extender
sfse.silverlock.orgSide by side
| Figure | RED4ext | Starfield Script Extender |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Mod Loaders | 8.1 (#5) | 7.2 (#20) |
| Installation | Installation involves downloading the latest ZIP, extracting it into the game directory, and launching the game. | The official site says to install via Steam or use the installer, and warns against using anything from the Windows App Store. |
| Plugin compatibility | A plugin can declare the game runtime versions it supports, and RED4ext will load it only when the game's version matches; plugins can also target the latest defined runtime or be runtime-independent. | The changelog says some game updates have required plugins to be recompiled or to update their compatibility data. |
| Plugin features | Plugins can add features, modify game behavior, add scripting functions, or call existing game functions. | The changelog lists a plugin manager, a Scaleform menu plugin interface, and preliminary support for custom Papyrus native functions. |
| Purpose | RED4ext is a script extender for Cyberpunk 2077 that lets modders interact with or extend the game's scripting system. | SFSE adds additional scripting capabilities and functionality to Starfield. |
Plans
In their own words
RED4ext
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.
Starfield Script Extender
Starfield Script Extender (SFSE) adds scripting capabilities and other functionality to Starfield on Windows. It supports only the latest Starfield version available through Steam; the Windows Store and Game Pass editions are excluded. The official site lists build 0.2.21 for Starfield version 1.16.244. SFSE supports plugin loading by injection, with a plugin manager, a Scaleform menu plugin interface and preliminary support for custom Papyrus native functions listed in its changelog. Updates to Starfield have sometimes required plugins to be recompiled or their compatibility data changed. Installation uses Steam or the installer, followed by copying the DLL and EXE files into the Starfield folder rather than its Data folder. The game must then start through sfse_loader.exe. SFSE components use a code signature intended to reduce virus-scanner false positives. The software is free, with a listed plan price of free.