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OpenMW-CS
OpenMW-CS · founded 2008
What it is
OpenMW-CS is a free editor for creating or changing mods and making original games. Its editing tools cover files, world and mechanics data, characters, assets, record filters, and a cell view. The FAQ says OpenMW can run original games made with the editor, and those games do not require Morrowind. Playing Morrowind does require a legally owned copy because OpenMW does not include its game content or assets. Supported formats include ESM, ESP, .omwgame, and .omwaddon. Official releases are listed for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with additional distribution channels including Windows Chocolatey, Linux distribution repositories, and Flathub. The manual is intended as both an introduction and reference, including for people familiar with Morrowind modding, but notes that the application remains in development and the manual does not cover its shortcomings. Mods requiring MWSE, MGE XE, or MCP are incompatible because those tools modify the original Morrowind executable.
For and against
For
- Supports creating original games as well as mods.
- Editing tools include world, mechanics, and asset data.
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Supports ESM, ESP, .omwgame, and .omwaddon formats.
Against
- The application is still in development.
- Morrowind play requires a legally owned copy.
- Mods requiring MWSE, MGE XE, or MCP are incompatible.
The verdict
OpenMW-CS offers mod editing and original-game creation across desktop platforms. Note its development status and the incompatibility with mods that rely on the named executable-modifying tools.
Who it suits
OpenMW-CS suits people who want to edit mods or build original games with the OpenMW engine. Its manual is designed for newcomers as well as people familiar with Morrowind modding.
Plans and prices
OpenMW-CS
free and open-source editor · requires user-supplied Morrowind data when making Morrowind content
Read 15 Oct 2026 · openmw.org
On the record
- 64-bit requirement
- Official Windows releases are 64-bit only; 32-bit Windows support ended with version 0.46.openmw.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Alternative-platform support
- Android, FreeBSD and Raspberry Pi are described as having varying support levels rather than first-class status.openmw.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Beginner tutorial
- The manual walks through creating a magic ring without requiring previous Morrowind-modding experience.openmw.readthedocs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- Mods that require MWSE, MGE XE, or MCP are incompatible with OpenMW because those tools modify the original Morrowind executable.openmw.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Configuration paths
- Documented default configuration locations differ by OS, including ~/.config/openmw on Linux, Library/Application Support on macOS and Documents/My Games/OpenMW on Windows.openmw.readthedocs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Current release channel
- The downloads page identifies OpenMW 0.51.0 as the latest official release and provides Windows, macOS and Linux downloads.openmw.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Development status
- The user manual warns that OpenMW-CS is still in development and that the manual does not cover its shortcomings.openmw.readthedocs.io · read 29 Sep 2026
- Distant terrain
- Distant-terrain rendering is listed as an engine improvement.openmw.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The downloads page lists official releases for Windows, macOS, and Linux and names OpenMW 0.51.0 as the latest release.openmw.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Distribution channels
- The downloads page also lists Windows Chocolatey, Linux distribution repositories, and a Flatpak package from Flathub.openmw.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Documentation scope
- The OpenMW-CS manual is presented as both an introduction and a reference, with tutorials, file handling, startup dialogs and record tables.openmw.readthedocs.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Editing tools
- The manual covers file, world, mechanics, character, and asset tables, plus record filters and a cell view.openmw.readthedocs.io · read 29 Sep 2026
- Editor changes in 0.50
- The 0.50 release improved OpenMW-CS selection markers and added bulk indentation support to its script editor.openmw.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Editor workspace
- The manual documents multiple views and panels that users can arrange across windows.downloads.openmw.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Fedora packaging
- Fedora distributes OpenMW-CS as a separate construction-set subpackage.packages.fedoraproject.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Graphics baseline
- The FAQ says OpenMW can run on devices supporting at least OpenGL 2.0 with ARMv7 or newer for relevant alternative-platform builds.openmw.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Implementation
- The project says OpenMW and OpenMW-CS were written from scratch.openmw.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent description
- ModDB describes OpenCS as a from-scratch editor intended to support all OpenMW features and editor plugins.moddb.com · read 15 Oct 2026
