Osa - Skyrim Ascendancy Engine is a free user interface mod for Bethesda’s Skyrim Special Edition. This engine gives Skyrim mod developers more control over animated scenes with its animation framework. It also adds depth to character personalities beyond what exists in the base game. 

This mod requires updated versions of SkyUI and FNIS from Nexus Mods. Users will also need to download SKSE to run this engine. Other alternative user interface mod users can try are Immersive Hud, SkyUI, AddItemMenu - Ultimate Mod Explorer, and UIExtensions. 

Robust animation framework

OSA adds unique features in its animation framework that aren’t currently seen in Skyrim. The heart of OSA is an action script that manages, times, and runs all data. This engine is purely a development engine, adding nothing on its own for animation. 

It includes its navigation panel UI so developers can design even fast-paced combat scenes with ease. The scene menu is a utility menu that can be brought up to see which modules it can access. In this menu, all lighting and information can be configured and displayed on the screen.

Adds a module library overlay

On the left of the OSA panel is the Module Library overlay. This overlay lists all installed modules and allows you to add them to adjust your set. The panel on the right is a keybinding interface that enables you to assign keybindings to make it easier to assign modules. Binding a key will only work on modules that have two or fewer actors.

Character personalities expanded

Persona is the enriched character personalities that OSA uses to make the scene actors come to life. This section of the engine governs factors like eye direction, which has a significant impact on scenes. 

Developers can decide which way the eyes look during a scene, enhancing the emotions created by the actors. While animating in Skyrim gives no facial control, OSA’s engine allows a range of facial and mouth expressions.

Quality of life engine

OSA for Skyrim SE is a quality of life engine for mod developers to create rich and immersive content for players. It was voted Nexus Mods File of the Month in 2016 for being an innovative mod. These innovations make it stand out as a must-have mod for developers.