$ show skyrim-multiplayer/skymp
This repository is the **skymp** (Together Reborn) project, a comprehensive open-source multiplayer mod for Skyrim Special Edition. It is a monorepo containing a dedicated game server (`skymp5-server`), a client plugin (`skymp5-client`), a custom web frontend (`skymp5-front`), and a suite of supporting libraries. The server is a Node.js process with a C++ native addon that runs the core game simulation, manages player state, and handles networking via RakNet. The client runs inside Skyrim through the Skyrim Platform, synchronizing player actions and world state. The frontend provides a Skyrim-themed UI for login, chat, and dice rolling. The architecture is a classic client-server model with a strong emphasis on server-authoritative state. The C++ codebase is notably well-structured, featuring several high-quality, reusable libraries. These include a standalone Papyrus scripting VM (`papyrus-vm`), a comprehensive ESM/ESP plugin file parser (`libespm`), a template-based serialization framework (`serialization`), and a general-purpose utility library (`viet`). These components are largely decoupled from the game-specific logic and could be extracted for use in other modding tools or game engine projects. While the core libraries exhibit strong craftsmanship, the project as a whole shows signs of technical drift and complexity. It is tightly coupled to specific versions of Skyrim, SKSE, and CommonLibSSE-NG. The client-side TypeScript services contain some risky patterns (e.g., `eval` usage) and are tightly integrated with the optional SweetPie mod. The build system is complex, relying on specific toolchains (clang, vcpkg, Node.js). Despite this, the project is actively maintained with a robust CI/CD pipeline and a clear vision for multiplayer Skyrim.
The LLM identified 5 files worth highlighting for reuse:
A standalone implementation of Bethesda's Papyrus scripting VM. It reads compiled .pex bytecode, manages a stack-based execution environment, handles opcodes (arithmetic, control flow, object manipulation), and supports native function registration via an interface (IGameObject). It is completely decoupled from Skyrim's game engine, making it directly reusable for any Papyrus-based game (e.g., Fallout 3, Oblivion) or as a general-purpose embedded scripting VM. The code is cleanly separated into Reader, VirtualMachine, and OpcodesImplementation.
A comprehensive C++ library for parsing Skyrim's ESM/ESP plugin files. It handles the complex binary format including compressed fields, group headers, record types (NPC_, WEAP, SPEL, etc.), and browser data. This represents a significant reverse-engineering effort packaged as a clean, modular library. It is highly reusable for any modding toolchain targeting Skyrim or other Gamebryo games using the same format.
A template-based serialization framework using C++ concepts (Arithmetic, ContainerLike, Optional, Map). It provides multiple archive implementations (BitStream, Json, SimdJson) that share a common Serialize API. This is a high-quality, reusable library for any project needing type-safe, performant serialization to multiple formats. The concept system is an elegant and non-obvious solution to compile-time archive validation.
A general-purpose C++ utility library providing Promise, Timer, TaskQueue, MappedBuffer, and abstract database/storage interfaces (IDatabase, ISaveStorage, AsyncSaveStorage). The AsyncSaveStorage template is a particularly well-crafted pattern for queuing asynchronous operations with callback dispatch and retry logic. This library is highly reusable across any C++ project requiring async utilities or abstracted persistence.
A library for reading and writing Skyrim save files (.ess). It handles the complex binary format including headers, plugin info, global data tables, and change forms. The SFSeekerOfDifferences is a clever utility for diffing save states. This is a prime candidate for extraction into a standalone tool or library for the Skyrim modding community.