In gaming and modding, ESP usually means one of two things:

  • In modding: a .esp file is a Bethesda plugin file, short for Elder Scrolls Plugin. It’s used by mods for games like Skyrim or Fallout to add or change game data such as items, NPCs, quests, or settings.
  • In cheating/gaming slang: ESP can also mean Extra Sensory Perception , referring to a cheat that reveals hidden info like enemy positions through walls.

So if someone says “ESP” in a modding context, they probably mean the plugin file; in a multiplayer cheat context, they mean wallhack-style info display.

If you want, I can also explain the difference between ESP, ESM, and ESL in mod files.