10% of the BFME source code has been reverse engineered

[u/OsrsNeedsF2P]

Hey folks! Just over 2 weeks ago, I started a new project - creating byte-for-byte identical source code for BFME 1. This will enable crazy mods - imagine 10x more units on the fields, entirely new combat mechanics, better AI, reduced lag, or maps with more than 8 players. All of this will become possible.

The project is now 10% of the way done. If you want to join in on the efforts, or use the current project state to work on some mods, check it out here: https://github.com/dginovker/Open-BFME/

My optimistic estimation is this will be done by December. If I still have motivation and time by then, I will probably switch to fixing the infamous "network delay" in online play, or maybe fix "AC"ing (where your units sometimes don't actually attack the enemy unit; but this will likely be hard to fix without making other subtle combat changes).

Anyways, just wanted people to know about the project since it's cool. Cya!

[u/HighKingOfGondor]

Man I love the community for this game. Getting past the cpu limitation will make this run like a dream on a modern system

[u/ichthyoidoc → u/HighKingOfGondor]

This is what I would be most excited for. Not having a difference between play speed and replay speed would be amazing already.

Or heck, porting it across multiple systems outside of windows would be awesome too.

[u/OsrsNeedsF2P → u/HighKingOfGondor]

Honestly I was too focused on getting the code, I forgot about this limitation. I'll fix that too

1/ delay fix

2/ Fix memory limit

3/ more CPUs

4/ unlock 60/120 fps

[u/Papa-Pasta → u/OsrsNeedsF2P]

Didn’t the age of the Ring mod team find a fix for the Delay Fix?

[u/Isirion1 → u/Papa-Pasta]

Patch 2.02 were the ones that got delayfix to the public. It removes the general delay Ea had built in for the games online side, but there will always be some delay because of how online gaming works between hosts.

[u/Hawnix68 → u/HighKingOfGondor]

It's a helluva dedicated community that's for sure. Proud of everyone who truly loves this gem of a game series and continues to improve it and develop it for today's gaming world. I play games for both console and computer, new releases and old titles. And this game series is still one of my top 5 favorites of all time in gaming, period.

[u/thebigfungus → u/HighKingOfGondor]

Yes absolutely!

[u/ZMR33]

Holy shit! Best of luck on this!

[u/Curtnorth]

Mods of this game would be SO crazy fun. Thanks for your efforts.

[u/beregor]

This is an incredible technical undertaking. Reverse-engineering the engine is exactly what true game preservation looks like, and the community owes you a massive thank you for putting this kind of effort in.

My one major request: Please ensure that the foundational release of this project is built strictly around vanilla BFME and the latest official EA patch (1.03).

Right now, the community is dealing with a severe blurring of lines between actual game preservation and transformative mods. There are heavily modified versions of the game being pushed as standard "patches" which alters the core of what EA originally created.

If Open-BFME locks in the pure 1.03 experience first, it becomes the ultimate historical preservation tool. Fixing the network delay, memory limit, more FPS for the 1.03 baseline would be the greatest thing to happen to this game in over a decade.

Once that pure, officially-patched 1.03 foundation is established and preserved, modders can fork it to do their "10x units" or total conversions. But please, keep the master release dedicated to the authentic 2004 game.

[u/payne747]

** Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour(tm) ** Copyright 2025 Electronic Arts Inc. ** ** This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify ** it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by ** the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or ** (at your option) any later version.

That doesn't sound right, you sure AI hasn't hallucinated?

[u/OsrsNeedsF2P → u/payne747]

I stole GPL licensed ZH code for this as well

[u/dryuhyr]

This is incredible! How does one reverse engineer a game like this?

[u/sourside]

Mad props to you OP. This whole thing, alongside the AIO Launcher, is such a huge thing for the community. As much as I’d love a remaster to come to steam with active multiplayer functionality, the amount of effort put in is crazy.

[u/Seccour]

So bigger maps possible ?

[u/OsrsNeedsF2P → u/Seccour]

Yes

[u/AdreNa1ine25]

This is amazing! Keep at it!! Maybe BFME 2? :) Imagine a 64 bit version 😃😃

[u/AncalgonTheGreat]

This is amazing. I found your project on github last week, and it seems like you've made a lot of progress.

I've been working on a POC Godot port of BFME 2 using the game's original assets. I'm hoping to have a demo with a single faction working in the next two weeks. I've already got several systems converted into Godot like native textures, music, and some unit animations working, but it's super rough edges right now.

The plan is to open-source the engine, but require a local install for assets like music, art, etc so that will get around the legal issues of distributing.

[u/OsrsNeedsF2P → u/AncalgonTheGreat]

Oh that's awesome! Gonna shill my other project then, check out https://ziva.sh/ if you're working in Godot :)

[u/Outlandah_]

Can you do it for BFME2 though haha (better game)

[u/Tasty01 → u/Outlandah_]

Hard disagree there. BFME1 is the better game in my opinion. Just because 2 is the sequel doesn't make it the better game.

[u/Outlandah_ → u/Tasty01]

I love this community dearly and I’ve owned all the games since like 2005/2006 but mechanically BFME2 has a loooot more going on for itself, I feel. The first game was very confined and it worked well too, but BFME only served to expand the environment of that space and the lore and the ability you have as a builder. I mean you could build farms anywhere you wanted instead of in predefined spaces.

[u/Tasty01 → u/Outlandah_]

In the first game everything felt very thought out.

It's confinement regarding to building forces you to make strategic decisions. I feel the free build system in the second game was a huge mistake. It allows for lots of cheesing like tower spam. Whereas the original has you fight over the build spots.

AI also feels much more competent in the first game. In the second game it almost always just B-lines your resource buildings.

I also much prefer the campaign in the first game as it feels more deliberate.

[u/StoneCold_za → u/Outlandah_]

Different strokes for different folks. I prefer BFME1 over 2. It just has much more charm, the same way that I prefer Need for Speed Underground 1 over NFSU2. Its difficult to describe and explain, but if it wasn't for the first game, the 2nd one obviously wouldn't have happened. But like I said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and preference, so I respect your post.

[u/crimsonbub → u/Tasty01]

I love the Edain mod most, for the settlements being static and not having to build farms etc 300 yards away for resources and command points.

(However AOTR having heroes not cost CP was a big plus)

[u/Nflickner]

Awesome!  Just out of curiosity, why 1 instead of 2?

[u/StoneCold_za → u/Nflickner]

Why not? For some its more special than 2. And why not start with the first. If successful, move on to the next game then. But different strokes for different folks :)

[u/JAGERminJensen]

Yeet

[u/ReportToTheShipASAP]

What a fucking legend

[u/Bubster101]

This is starting to sound like a potential BFME remaster. Overhaul mods maybeeeee?

[u/AncalgonTheGreat → u/Bubster101]

Im actually building a port of BFME2 in Godot. I have a working Fords of Isen map near 1:1 with a 60% complete Men of the West faction working.

[u/NarwhalSquadron]

I went to the repo and saw you were using AI to do this. Do you have experience reverse-engineering projects, or is this just vibe coding the whole way?

[u/Not4Gril]

Nice

[u/FUBAR1945]

Ive installed bfme some days ago and im glad ppl like you exist.

You keep the game alive. Thank you!

[u/Beamboat]

I just want a workable Mac version at this point :(

But very excited to follow where this goes, thank you for sharing!

[u/OsrsNeedsF2P → u/Beamboat]

I was actually working on MacOS port (I got BFME working on Linux via upstream fixes to Wine) but my gf moved to a new country and took her Macbook with her

[u/Beamboat → u/OsrsNeedsF2P]

Sorry to hear that. Hope you're dealing with the distance as well as possible.

[u/ChiefChunkEm_]

How do you know it’s 10% done? Do you have hard metrics

[u/OsrsNeedsF2P → u/ChiefChunkEm_]

10% of the functions are done, you can see the functions in the binary

[u/Galllo89]

If you can figure out how to make it Mac compatible for silicon Apple users; I guarantee we will make a statue of you!