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Case study

LineWars II: a portable SDL3 reconstruction

Provides an SDL3 backend for a portable-C reconstruction of the 1994 DOS game. Its build configuration links the reconstructed engine to video, input and audio adapters; the upstream documents differential gates against original machine code.

Requirements and limitations

  • Builds target Windows and Linux using C99, CMake 3.16+ and SDL3; the reviewed build notes specify SDL 3.4.12 built with the same compiler as the game. This is a port of the separate LineWarsII-DOS reconstruction, not a claim to original source ownership.
  • The reconstructed/ported source uses PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0. NOTICE reports original-author Patrick Aalto’s July 16, 2026 permission for freeware distribution of the original game material; it does not grant commercial-use permission. SDL keeps its separate zlib license.
  • The upstream reports renderer and menu comparisons and captured PCM levels within about 10% of its DOS reference; higher-resolution rendering changes the presentation. No game binaries or assets were downloaded, and no port, emulator or verification suite was run here; no REA integration is established.

About this entry

Type
Case study
Category
Independent reconstruction cases
Relationship
Independent reconstruction project
Targets
Binary · Game

Sources reviewed

The description was reviewed against primary sources. This does not establish runtime testing, security auditing or verified compatibility.

Primary sources

  1. README.md GitHub · fredangstadt-lang/LineWarsII-SDL · Revision 343bb50
  2. CMakeLists.txt GitHub · fredangstadt-lang/LineWarsII-SDL · Revision 343bb50
  3. platform/sdl3/hal_sdl.c GitHub · fredangstadt-lang/LineWarsII-SDL · Revision 343bb50
  4. docs/PORTING_CHECKLIST.md GitHub · fredangstadt-lang/LineWarsII-SDL · Revision 343bb50
  5. LICENSE.md GitHub · fredangstadt-lang/LineWarsII-SDL · Revision 343bb50
  6. NOTICE.md GitHub · fredangstadt-lang/LineWarsII-SDL · Revision 343bb50