# Arkanum: reconstructing Arcanum archives and map sectors

> Arkanum reconstructs Arcanum game data formats as part of a Python engine recreation. Its code reads and extracts DAT archives and parses map-sector structures including tiles, roofs, scripts and blocked-tile arrays, with field layouts recorded beside the parsers.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/vleon1/Arkanum>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/vleon1/Arkanum/blob/ad58733e9f3e7c95055ae34f8c6d997e3b2d8d29/formats/map/sec.py>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/arkanum-arcanum-formats-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/arkanum-arcanum-formats-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/arkanum-arcanum-formats-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Arcanum data files are needed to use the archive and map parsers.
- **License:** No licence file in the repository.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/vleon1/Arkanum/blob/ad58733e9f3e7c95055ae34f8c6d997e3b2d8d29/formats/map/sec.py>
2. <https://github.com/vleon1/Arkanum/blob/ad58733e9f3e7c95055ae34f8c6d997e3b2d8d29/formats/dat.py>
3. <https://github.com/vleon1/Arkanum/blob/ad58733e9f3e7c95055ae34f8c6d997e3b2d8d29/undat.py>
4. <https://github.com/vleon1/Arkanum/blob/ad58733e9f3e7c95055ae34f8c6d997e3b2d8d29/README.md>

## More in Games

- [ArkWeb: a two-game movement and collision experiment](https://awesomerea.org/resources/arkweb-two-game-case/index.md) · Case study
- [AscNet: reconstructing a Punishing: Gray Raven server](https://awesomerea.org/resources/ascnet-punishing-gray-raven-case/index.md) · Case study
- [AvalonEmu: reconstructing an Albion Online local server](https://awesomerea.org/resources/avalonemu-case/index.md) · Case study
- [AZMCO: reconstructing Motor City Online and its renderers](https://awesomerea.org/resources/azmco-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Bandersnatch: an annotated ZX Spectrum code disassembly](https://awesomerea.org/resources/bandersnatch-zx-spectrum-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Banjo-Kazooie: rebuilding the game from base ROMs](https://awesomerea.org/resources/banjo-kazooie-rebuild-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.
