# openblack: rebuilding Black & White from original game data

> openblack reimplements Black & White (2001) in C++ with OpenGL and Vulkan rendering, loading assets extracted from the user's original game. Its repository includes utilities for game formats such as GLW visual effects and a library for LHVM script bytecode. Several non-desktop builds are described as experimental.

- 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/openblack/openblack>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/openblack/openblack/blob/744c0febf53b128bebc82ba3782dac7be08ee3e6/readme.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/openblack-engine-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/openblack-engine-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/openblack-engine-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Requires assets extracted from an original Black & White installation.
- **Prerequisites:** Building uses CMake and a C++ toolchain; the documented setup uses vcpkg for dependencies.
- **Limits:** Several cross-platform builds, including Android and iOS, are experimental.
- **License:** Licensed under GPL-3.0.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/openblack/openblack/blob/744c0febf53b128bebc82ba3782dac7be08ee3e6/readme.md>
2. <https://github.com/openblack/openblack/blob/744c0febf53b128bebc82ba3782dac7be08ee3e6/apps/glwtool/readme.md>
3. <https://github.com/openblack/openblack/blob/744c0febf53b128bebc82ba3782dac7be08ee3e6/components/ScriptLibrary/README.md>

## More in Games

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- [openc2e: reimplementing the Creatures game engine](https://awesomerea.org/resources/openc2e-creatures-case/index.md) · Case study
- [openchrome: rebuilding a Dying Light runtime from game data](https://awesomerea.org/resources/openchrome-case/index.md) · Case study
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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.