# Fallout 2 Reference Edition: reverse-engineered C source of the original engine

> Restores C source for Fallout 2’s Windows engine from the original binary, keeping as close to the original as possible with all its imperfections. The resulting fallout2-re.exe is a drop-in replacement for fallout2.exe that runs on the user’s own GOG or Steam copy. README says a few non-essential functions remain undecompiled; the code became the basis of the separate Fallout 2 Community Edition, and its author calls wide publication legally questionable.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-10-19
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/alexbatalov/fallout2-re>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/alexbatalov/fallout2-re/blob/b135fc46ef40c4aecd156f3cebcf88ec531bb8ac/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/fallout2-reference-edition-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/fallout2-reference-edition-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/fallout2-reference-edition-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- A personal Fallout 2 installation, including the GOG or Steam editions, supplies the game data. Copy the built fallout2-re.exe into that directory in place of fallout2.exe.
- CMake 3.13 or newer builds a 32-bit Windows executable; CI uses Visual Studio 2019 for Win32. The project uses Win32 and DirectX interfaces.
- A few non-essential functions remain undecompiled. CI compiles the executable; the repository has no tests or binary matching checks.
- Sustainable Use License 1.0 permits internal, personal and non-commercial use and free non-commercial distribution. Bundled zlib and fpattern retain their own licenses.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/alexbatalov/fallout2-re/blob/b135fc46ef40c4aecd156f3cebcf88ec531bb8ac/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/alexbatalov/fallout2-re/blob/b135fc46ef40c4aecd156f3cebcf88ec531bb8ac/LICENSE.md>
3. <https://github.com/alexbatalov/fallout2-re/blob/b135fc46ef40c4aecd156f3cebcf88ec531bb8ac/CMakeLists.txt>
4. <https://github.com/alexbatalov/fallout2-re/blob/b135fc46ef40c4aecd156f3cebcf88ec531bb8ac/.github/workflows/ci-build.yml>
5. <https://github.com/alexbatalov/fallout2-re/tree/b135fc46ef40c4aecd156f3cebcf88ec531bb8ac/third_party>
6. <https://github.com/alexbatalov/fallout2-re/releases/tag/nightly>
7. <https://github.com/alexbatalov/fallout2-re/issues/29>

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## 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.