# Benilla-Wotlk: reconstructing the World of Warcraft 3.3.5a client

> Benilla-Wotlk reconstructs the World of Warcraft 3.3.5a client in Rust and Bevy, using the original client as a behavioral reference and loading assets from the user's installation. It implements MPQ, BLP and world-format readers, FrameXML and Lua interfaces, and the game's authentication and world-session communication.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game · Protocol
- 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/Onixaz/benilla-wotlk>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/Onixaz/benilla-wotlk/blob/ef3f745a6afdf924f0c873b45cace83ce6fd96f8/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/benilla-wotlk-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/benilla-wotlk-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/benilla-wotlk-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** An English World of Warcraft 3.3.5a build 12340 installation is required.
- **Prerequisites:** A compatible 3.3.5a server with Warden disabled is required.
- **Prerequisites:** Building requires stable Rust and a C compiler; Linux also needs ALSA, udev development packages and pkg-config.
- **Limits:** The 3.3.5a port is in progress; some data and gameplay layers retain 1.12.1 behavior.
- **License:** Code is dual licensed under MIT or Apache-2.0.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/Onixaz/benilla-wotlk/blob/ef3f745a6afdf924f0c873b45cace83ce6fd96f8/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/Onixaz/benilla-wotlk/blob/ef3f745a6afdf924f0c873b45cace83ce6fd96f8/reference/README.md>

## More in Games

- [benilla: reconstructing the World of Warcraft 1.12.1 client](https://awesomerea.org/resources/benilla-wow-client-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Benno4j: reconstructing a game world from GAM saves and BSH graphics](https://awesomerea.org/resources/benno4j-game-world-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Bermuda Syndrome: an engine rebuilt from the Windows executable](https://awesomerea.org/resources/bermuda-syndrome-engine-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Blues Brothers: rewritten engines for three Titus games](https://awesomerea.org/resources/blues-brothers-engine-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Bravo: a reverse-engineered Minecraft server](https://awesomerea.org/resources/bravo-minecraft-server-case/index.md) · Case study
- [BreadFlowerDos: reimplementing the Refractor 2 game engine](https://awesomerea.org/resources/breadflowerdos/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.