OpenMW FAQ
10 months ago
- #Game Development
- #Morrowind
- #OpenMW
- OpenMW is a free, open-source engine that re-implements and extends the 2002 Gamebryo engine for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.
- OpenMW includes OpenMW-CS, an editor for creating mods or original games, both written from scratch without third-party program support.
- OpenMW is not a mod but a separate engine requiring legal ownership of Morrowind for gameplay, as it doesn't include Bethesda's copyrighted content.
- OpenMW can run original games created with OpenMW-CS, such as OpenMW-Template and OpenMW-Example-Suite, showcasing the engine's capabilities.
- OpenMW aims for feature parity with Morrowind's original engine, with future plans to expand beyond it, including de-hardcoding game mechanics and improving mod tools.
- Mod compatibility varies: content mods for original Morrowind may work, but those requiring engine modifications like MWSE or MGE are incompatible.
- OpenMW is more stable than the original Morrowind engine, with version 1.0 marking feature parity and future enhancements.
- Support for 32-bit Windows and Xbox versions of Morrowind is discontinued, focusing on GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows, with experimental support for other platforms.
- Multiplayer is not a current focus, but TES3MP, a fork of OpenMW, is developing multiplayer functionality.
- Bethesda Softworks acknowledges OpenMW with certain conditions, including not promoting Morrowind on Android or mobile platforms.
- Contributions to OpenMW are welcome through forums, issue trackers, and supporting developers via Patreon.
- OpenMW utilizes various open-source tools and libraries, with optimizations ongoing for performance despite Morrowind's inherently inefficient assets.
- Legal disclaimers emphasize no association with Bethesda, requiring legal game ownership, and adherence to open-source licensing for distributed content.