# HotaSim: reconstructing Horn of the Abyss battle mechanics

> HotaSim reimplements selected Heroes III: Horn of the Abyss battle mechanics in C++ and uses them in a battle simulator. The author describes reverse-engineering game code, recording Cheat Engine addresses and annotating AI disassembly. The simulator currently handles simple melee units without additional abilities.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-08
- Original resource: <https://github.com/patrulek/hotasim>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/patrulek/hotasim/blob/21f604163180170a64507fee407f627523f517fa/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/hotasim-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/hotasim-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/hotasim-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Visual Studio and the Horn of the Abyss game are needed for the documented build and analysis workflow.
- **Limits:** Simulation is limited to simple melee units, and the outcome replay is buggy.
- **License:** MIT license.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/patrulek/hotasim/blob/21f604163180170a64507fee407f627523f517fa/README.md>

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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.