SDA 4.4 Open Beta Is Here - Free for Everyone!

Hey everyone!
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TL;DR

SDA 4.4 Open Beta is out now and completely free for everyone! No Patreon membership or account is required.

• PC: Download the files attached to this post.

• Xbox/Bethnet: Download from the dedicated SDA 4.4 Open Beta Creations page.

• Current build: SDA 4.4.0 EA v1.5 SE

• SDA 4.4 replaces SDA 4.3.2 - do not install both at the same time.

• Existing saves are supported, including saves already using an earlier 4.4 Early Access build.

• The beta includes the new feeding system, expanded quest/vampirism content, radiant dialogue, outfit improvements, bug fixes, and much more.

• Submit Open Beta bug reports through Jotform only.

• If testing continues smoothly, the full unrestricted Nexus release is currently expected in approximately 3–4 weeks.

Full details, changelog, compatibility information, and installation instructions are below!

After months of development and testing, I’m thrilled to announce that the SDA 4.4 Open Beta is out now!

This Open Beta is completely free. You do not need to pay, become a Patreon member, or even create a Patreon account to download it. The PC files are attached directly to this public post, while Xbox and Bethnet players can download the Open Beta through its dedicated Creations page.

In fact, some particularly keen-eyed Xbox players may have already spotted it. Consider that a little extra treat for paying attention! Hahaha.

SDA 4.4 is one of the largest SDA updates so far, second only to Version 4.0 - and it has been one of the most creatively rewarding updates I’ve worked on. It explores new ground for Serana’s romance, vampirism, morality, quest awareness, and day-to-day life as your follower.

What’s new in SDA 4.4?

• A new optional, romance-gated feeding system*

• Extensive new Daedric quest commentary and quest awareness

• Expanded vampirism, cure, and post-cure content

• New radiant conversations and follower quality-of-life features

• Major custom-outfit improvements

• Numerous tested bug fixes and general polish

* Optional Devour and OStim support is included.

For the complete feature breakdown, changelog, compatibility notes, and installation instructions, visit the SDA 4.4 website:

Before installing

Do not use the SDA 4.4 Open Beta alongside SDA 4.3.2. The Open Beta replaces the main SDA installation.

PC:

1. Disable or uninstall your existing SDA 4.3.2 installation.

2. Install the attached SDA 4.4 Open Beta archive using your mod manager.

3. Allow the Open Beta to replace the previous SDA installation.

4. Confirm that SDA and its patches are enabled and correctly positioned in your load order.

Xbox and Bethnet:

1. Open the dedicated SDA 4.4 Open Beta Creations page using the button below.

2. Add the Creation to your library and download it.

3. Make sure it is enabled and correctly positioned in your load order.

4. If you installed an earlier Early Access build, update the entire Creation.

SDA 4.4 supports existing saves. Early Access players can update directly to the Open Beta, and Open Beta players will later be able to update to the full release unless a future release note specifically says otherwise.

Patch Hub update

The latest SDA Patch Hub 2.9.9-EA is also attached to this post.

Updating the Patch Hub is especially recommended if you use House of Horrors—Quest Expansion, as this version includes the latest integration-patch update.

Open Beta Updates and Hotfixes

Current build: SDA 4.4.0 EA v1.5 SE

4.4.0-EAv1.5 SE (Hotfix)

• Fixed a dialogue loop in Serana’s post-transformation vampirism coaching conversation that could repeatedly trigger the same check-in and block her other dialogue options.

• Corrected the conversation’s completion tracking so it now ends properly.

• This completes the earlier partial fix, which corrected the ending dialogue branch and its topic links.

• Includes all fixes from previous Early Access and Open Beta updates.

Known Issues (September 3rd, 2026):

The House of Horrors Quest Expansion files were accidentally left out of the latest Patch Hub release. This means the new SDA 4.4 content for HoH Quest Expansion won’t work, though the quest itself can still be completed as usual. I’ve also found a few QC issues to address in the patch, so I’ll fix those before uploading the latest Patch Hub EA update. The website documentation will be updated soon.

Feedback and bug reports

This is a stable and extensively tested build, but the purpose of an Open Beta is to expose SDA 4.4 to a much larger variety of mod lists, playthroughs, and player choices before it replaces the main Nexus release.

Jotform will be the sole place where I read and handle Open Beta bug reports. You’re welcome to discuss the update on Discord, but please don’t send beta reports to Taylor or through the regular Discord and Nexus support channels. Keeping reports centralized will help us spot patterns, investigate problems more efficiently, and ensure nothing slips into an Oblivion gate hehehe.

What happens next?

SDA 4.3.2 will remain on Nexus during the Open Beta. If testing continues to go smoothly, the unrestricted SDA 4.4 Nexus release is currently expected in approximately three to four weeks, although it may arrive sooner.

Work on Ashe 1.4 and the Ashe–Serana banter expansion, Asherana, has also been progressing smoothly. I briefly paused both projects so I could focus on getting SDA 4.4 released without completely overwhelming myself.

I also expedited an Asherana quality-of-life hotfix that makes conversations better spaced out, more varied, and less repetitive. Early Access for Ashe and Asherana is currently expected within the next one to two months.

Official PlayStation and PS5 mod support is now available as well. I plan to release official PlayStation versions of SDA and my other applicable mods, although they may not be available immediately while I work through the necessary development, testing, and upload setup. Existing unofficial ports that I previously authorized can remain available for now.

Thank you all so much for your patience, support, and feedback throughout SDA 4.4’s development. I’m incredibly excited to finally open this update to everyone, and I can’t wait for you to experience everything it adds!

Stay awesome!

Marty

Free Open Beta downloads attached (PC)