Reverse Engineering
Ongoing coverage on Reverse Engineering.
Latest coverage
AmiGTA1 - A native AmigaOS 68k port of Grand Theft Auto is in the works
Developer Grzegorz Korycki is creating AmiGTA1, a native AmigaOS 68k reimplementation of the original Grand Theft Auto engine. This project aims for authentic classic hardware setups and requires players to supply their own game files for conversion. The alpha release already demonstrates a functional Liberty City with smooth performance, showcasing core mechanics like movement and carjacking.
If you're not paying attention to retro game recompilations, you're missing the most exciting thing in gaming…
The article argues that retro game recompilations, which involve reverse-engineering and rewriting old game code for modern hardware, represent the most exciting development in gaming. These fan-made projects offer enhanced graphics, accessibility options, and improved performance, often surpassing official preservation efforts. While facing challenges like low-effort AI-generated content, the scene is rapidly growing with numerous notable recompilations and more anticipated.
Raptor: Call of the Shadows - An Amiga 68060 RTG / PiStorm port is in the works!
A new port of the 1994 PC DOS shoot-'em-up Raptor: Call of the Shadows is in development for the Commodore Amiga, utilizing AI assistance and open-source code. The project has achieved milestones like menu and input support on RTG graphics, with ongoing work to optimize performance on PiStorm and other accelerators. Community testing will begin once audio bugs are resolved, requiring users to provide their own original game data.
Game History and Preservation
Developers from Anthem, SpaceCraft, and Warframe discuss the significant challenges of reverse engineering always-online games for preservation purposes. The 'Stop Killing Games' campaign highlights these efforts.
What if Stop Killing Games win? Anthem, SpaceCraft and Warframe devs on the "massive undertaking" of reverse engineering an always-online game
The article discusses the challenges and importance of game preservation for live service titles, using Warframe as a primary example. It explores the difficulties of reverse engineering always-online games and the efforts of groups like Stop Killing Games to advocate for offline modes and legal requirements for game longevity. Experts like Scott McGregor and Mark Darrah weigh in on the technical and financial hurdles, while the piece also touches on the potential impact of such regulations on the future development of live service games.
Are Emulators Legal? Everything You Need to Know in 2026 | TAG
Emulators are legal in the US, a fact established by court cases like Sega v. Accolade and Sony Computer Entertainment v. Connectix. However, downloading ROMs of games you do not own is copyright infringement, and the legal landscape for current-generation consoles like the Nintendo Switch is complicated by DMCA Section 1201, which prohibits circumventing technological protection measures. Nintendo actively targets emulator developers and ROM distribution sites, not individual users of retro emulators.
Dusk is a reverse-engineered reimplementation of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
A new open-source project called Dusk has been released, offering a reverse-engineered reimplementation of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for PC. This project allows players to experience the game on platforms like PC and Steam Deck, with a native Linux version available. Dusk does not include copyrighted assets, requiring users to provide their own copy of the original game.
Grayson Wendell Fire & Ice RGX 2026 Guest of Honor
Professional programmer Grayson Wendell, a veteran of the game industry since 2007, will be a Guest of Honor at Fire & Ice RGX 2026. Wendell has worked at companies like id Software, EA, and Activision on titles such as Enemy Territory: Quake Wars and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile. He will also host a panel on N64 reverse engineering and randomizers at the event.
After years of 'extensive reverse engineering', you can play a janky Mirror's Edge prototype in all its…
A playable prototype of the original Mirror's Edge, dated nine months before its 2008 launch, has been restored by fans after extensive reverse engineering and hundreds of fixes. This early build, playable on a custom RPCS3 build for PlayStation 3, offers a glimpse into the game's development with different mechanics, cut content, and a more gruesome combat system.
Heretic II has a new reverse-engineered source port
A new reverse-engineered source port, Heretic2R, has been released for the classic 1998 first-person shooter Heretic II. This community-driven project brings several enhancements including widescreen support, improved loading times, and bug fixes. While it currently runs via Proton on Linux, efforts are underway to create a native build.
