# Dejavu: reimplementing classic Game Maker

> Dejavu reimplements classic Game Maker in Rust to run existing projects and games on modern platforms. Its source includes GML parsing, compilation and interpretation, project reading, and a game runtime; the CLI accepts GMK projects, EXE games, and GML scripts. The implementation is early-stage, with GML and drag-and-drop code running while more APIs remain to be added.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: App · 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/rpjohnst/dejavu>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/rpjohnst/dejavu/blob/76983190dd125fefb0db43bd077ad137d0ecf2df/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/dejavu-game-maker-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/dejavu-game-maker-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/dejavu-game-maker-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** A nightly Rust toolchain is currently required.
- **Scope:** Input can be a Game Maker 8.0 GMK project, a game EXE, or a GML script.
- **Limits:** The implementation is in an early stage with partial API support.
- **License:** Dual MIT and Apache-2.0 licenses.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/rpjohnst/dejavu/blob/76983190dd125fefb0db43bd077ad137d0ecf2df/README.md>

## More in Games

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- [Desktop Games Nostalgia: a macOS and browser port](https://awesomerea.org/resources/desktop-games-nostalgia-rea-port-case/index.md) · Case study
- [DesktopAdventures: reconstructing the Desktop Adventures engine](https://awesomerea.org/resources/desktopadventures-engine-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Dig Dug – native PC port: reconstructing the arcade board](https://awesomerea.org/resources/dig-dug-native-case/index.md) · Case study
- [DirkSimple: reconstructing Dragon's Lair and Cliff Hanger game logic](https://awesomerea.org/resources/dirksimple-laserdisc-games-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Domino-Chain: recreating Pushover](https://awesomerea.org/resources/domino-chain-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.