Hi, I've read some of the postings here regarding the source code of games that havent had theirs released by their companies, for whatever reasons. I recently bought a decompiler program, which inputs an executable file, and outputs .o files with their respective assembly code, from which source code can be worked out. I was wondering, if that could be a method of obtaining the source code of the executable files of those games, and if that's considered legal and "fair use".
Thanks
JonoF at
Re: decompiling .exe files?
The question of whether it's legal depends on where you live in the world. The usefulness of decompiling the games is limited because what you get from a decompiler barely resembles the source code which produced the game in the first place, so if the plan is to port from decompiled object code, you may as well write the game from scratch.
Jonathon
kooltore at
Well, the decompiler program goes as far as producing readable assembly code, and even some C instructions, so it wouldnt be so much as to being in the dark, or starting everything from scratch. Where I live there's no law forbiding the dissasembling of an executable files AFAIK.
Tijnemans at
Hmm, that's sound interesting! :D Is it possible to get some usefull information with that decompiler out of the EXE of Redneck Rampage. Because that game is "just" a modded Duke3D...So with a bit more info about the timings, damage etc of the weapons and some other things it will make it a lot easier to mod JFDuke3D to a code remake of Redneck. (and mayby I will do that....When I have some time, and know C++ a bit better)
kooltore at
Great, Tijnemans, just let me know when you want to work on RR or any of the other games that dont have source released, and I will send you the output code that the decompiler produces.
Tijnemans at
I just got JFDuke3D to compile under VC++2005! :D So send the output to me, and I take a look at it. It may take a while, because I'm not a great programmer, but I will try to fix it...
(I have also send a PM)
kooltore at
Ok, Tijnemans, will do, as soon as I'm able to I'll send you the output! 8)
Tijnemans at
I checked the output some time and - (to make it simple) - can't understand it at all at the moment, so I think it's just a bit too difficult for me right now.... :( If anyone does have another idea, like running a debugger just let me know.
kooltore at
Why dont you try decompiling duke3d and look for the similarities between them both?