# Devilution: reconstructing Diablo's original source

> Devilution reconstructs source for the original Diablo game from surviving symbols and debug information in PlayStation and PC releases. Its C++ code builds a replacement for Diablo.exe that uses the user's original game files. The project preserves original behavior, including bugs, and treats Hellfire support as future work.

- 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/diasurgical/devilution>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/diasurgical/devilution/blob/9f01757243412bb154d02d9af65c804159e6e0ea/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/devilution-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/devilution-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/devilution-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Requires an original Diablo copy, including DIABDAT.MPQ; game assets are not supplied.
- **Prerequisites:** Running the replacement executable requires files from a Diablo installation patched to 1.09(b), including DiabloUI.dll, SmackW32.dll, Standard.snp and Storm.dll.
- **Limits:** Hellfire support is not yet included.
- **License:** Sustainable Use License 1.0; the source is restricted to noncommercial use.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/diasurgical/devilution/blob/9f01757243412bb154d02d9af65c804159e6e0ea/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/diasurgical/devilution/blob/9f01757243412bb154d02d9af65c804159e6e0ea/LICENSE.md>

## More in Games

- [Digimon World 4: a work-in-progress GameCube decompilation](https://awesomerea.org/resources/dw4-gc-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Dishonored Recompilation: rebuilding the 2013 Win32 game executable](https://awesomerea.org/resources/dishonored-recompilation-case/index.md) · Case study
- [DisMKW: an in-progress Mario Kart Wii disassembly](https://awesomerea.org/resources/dismkw-case/index.md) · Case study
- [DoConfig-Decompilation: reconstructing Cave Story's options program](https://awesomerea.org/resources/doconfig-decompilation-case/index.md) · Case study
- [DOD13-Client: reconstructing the Day of Defeat 1.3 client library](https://awesomerea.org/resources/dod13-client-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Donkey Kong Country 2: an SNES disassembly](https://awesomerea.org/resources/donkey-kong-country-2-disassembly-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.