# ReHLDS: reconstructing the Half-Life dedicated server

> ReHLDS reconstructs the Half-Life dedicated server from DWARF debug information embedded in the Linux HLDS engine_i486.so for builds 6152/6153. Its replacement engine fixes reported defects and provides an extended API for mods and plugins.

- 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/rehlds/ReHLDS>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/rehlds/ReHLDS/blob/675e9f519aea9a31c1b98d214d77684d9e52d771/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/rehlds-hlds-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/rehlds-hlds-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/rehlds-hlds-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Requires a compatible pre-anniversary HLDS installation, engine version 8684 or earlier.
- **Prerequisites:** Runtime binaries require SSE, SSE2 and SSE3.
- **Limits:** The replacement is not binary-compatible with the original HLDS for plugins that analyze engine code.
- **License:** Licensed under MIT.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/rehlds/ReHLDS/blob/675e9f519aea9a31c1b98d214d77684d9e52d771/README.md>

## More in Games

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- [Rerun: rebuilding the Sonic Runners server](https://awesomerea.org/resources/rerun-server-case/index.md) · Case study
- [RestoRoom: researching a Rec Room server reconstruction](https://awesomerea.org/resources/restoroom-case/index.md) · Case study
- [retruxx: reverse-engineered Hard Truck Apocalypse](https://awesomerea.org/resources/retruxx/index.md) · Case study
- [Reverse Engineering Scorcher: extracting its resource archive and images](https://awesomerea.org/resources/reverse-engineering-scorcher-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Rex: SkoolKit disassembly of both ZX Spectrum game sides](https://awesomerea.org/resources/skrex-case/index.md) · Case study

## 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.
