Case study

OpenApoc: rebuilding the X-COM: Apocalypse engine

OpenApoc reimplements the X-COM: Apocalypse engine in C++ and SDL2 using files from the user's original game. It adds modern display support, XML-based save editing, modding facilities, and experimental skirmish play while tracking unfinished original-game features.

Targets: Game
Category: Independent reconstruction cases
Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
Evidence class: C1 partial scope or analysis entry

Stars: 606
Last commit: 2026-09-16
Language: C++
License (GitHub): GPL-3.0

GitHub data as of 2026-11-10

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Evidence

Demo screenshot from the project's public documentation

Observed: Code, documentation, download and demo observed; a full-reconstruction candidate for manual Class 0 review.
Scope: Partial
Checked: 2026-11-09

How evidence classes are assigned

Requirements & limits

Prerequisites: Original X-COM: Apocalypse files are required; the build guide asks for an original CD image or extracted files.
Prerequisites: The project lists SDL2, Boost, Qt, LibVorbis, and platform build tools among dependencies.
Limits: The README describes the project as alpha with core original-game features still unfinished.
License: GPL-3.0 license.

Cite

BibTeX

@misc{openapoc-case,
  title = {{OpenApoc: rebuilding the X-COM: Apocalypse engine}},
  howpublished = {\url{https://github.com/OpenApoc/OpenApoc}},
  url = {https://github.com/OpenApoc/OpenApoc},
  urldate = {2026-11-06},
  note = {Awesome REA entry: \url{https://awesomerea.org/resources/openapoc-case/}}
}

Plain text

OpenApoc: rebuilding the X-COM: Apocalypse engine. https://github.com/OpenApoc/OpenApoc (accessed 2026-11-06). Awesome REA entry: https://awesomerea.org/resources/openapoc-case/

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About this entry

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Primary sources

README.md GitHub · OpenApoc/OpenApoc · Revision d06cc10