This is a bit of a surprise! Someone going by the name 'GalaXyHaXz' has put up source code for the original Diablo that was apparently reverse engineered called 'Devilution'. It doesn't have the data, so you do need a copy of the original to work it.
The goal of Devilution itself is to recreate the original source code as accurately as possible, in order to ensure that everything is preserved. This goes as far as bugs and badly written code in the original game. However, it becomes a solid base for developers to work with; making it much easier than before to update, fix, and port the game to other platforms.
As a side goal, Devilution helps document the unused and cut content from the final game. Development of Diablo was rushed near the end--many ideas were scrapped and Multiplayer was quickly hacked in. By examining the source, we can see various quirks of planned development.
I don't know enough about that myself to say if it's legit, legal or anything, but it's still rather interesting. It's especially fun, since in the FAQ, the developer noted they plan a separate project to update it with a Linux port with OpenGL, modernize the UI and much more.
On the project page, the developer notes that it can apparently run in Wine on Linux right now.
It will be interesting to see what Blizzard do as a response to this. Find it on GitHub.
Thanks for the tip Roney.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
...but maybe I'll wait for a bit of clarity about the legal situation.
stretch611 Jun 20, 2018
In many cases, it is hard to tell how a company would react to 20-25 year old code being released illegally. Some companies may not exist anymore, and others would ignore it as it is not likely to be worth much more than a curiosity of a time long passed.
However, this is Blizzard/Activision... We have seen what they have done to people that have tried to extend their code before and it results in takedowns and lawsuits. Even people who create bots have been taken to court by Blizzard. Expect the same treatment here... a quick DCMA takedown notice to the site hosting the code, followed by a major lawsuit against the hacker.
legluondunet Jun 20, 2018
Someone tested it? You can play single game and the dev actually work on a multiplayer feature.
GustyGhost Jun 20, 2018
slaapliedje Jun 20, 2018
Quoting: GuestThis is awesome news! I love the Diablo games (as in 1 and 2...there was no 3 was there?)
There was the freeablo project to make an open engine, this moves that effort along much faster. Dunno if the freeablo developer will continue on his project, maybe he could help out on this one or take from it. Just hope i can finally play diablo on Linux soon.
(also somebody copy the source code before bizzard hears about this)
There is a Diablo 3, it just isn't good... like at all. About the only thing I would mark it as good are the graphics. Past that it is way too easy. Like I can set down my controller and leave the room and that is the only way I die, easy. The way they balanced it is ridiculous, and my brother and I were playing on the hoghest difficulty allowed.
This is cool though, Diablo 1 and 2 are still great games!
Quoting: slaapliedjeQuoting: GuestThis is awesome news! I love the Diablo games (as in 1 and 2...there was no 3 was there?)
There was the freeablo project to make an open engine, this moves that effort along much faster. Dunno if the freeablo developer will continue on his project, maybe he could help out on this one or take from it. Just hope i can finally play diablo on Linux soon.
(also somebody copy the source code before bizzard hears about this)
There is a Diablo 3, it just isn't good... like at all. About the only thing I would mark it as good are the graphics. Past that it is way too easy. Like I can set down my controller and leave the room and that is the only way I die, easy. The way they balanced it is ridiculous, and my brother and I were playing on the hoghest difficulty allowed.
This is cool though, Diablo 1 and 2 are still great games!
I'm pretty sure he was kidding, but yeah I thought Diablo 3 was a letdown too.
slaapliedje Jun 20, 2018
Quoting: shawnsterpQuoting: slaapliedjeQuoting: GuestThis is awesome news! I love the Diablo games (as in 1 and 2...there was no 3 was there?)
There was the freeablo project to make an open engine, this moves that effort along much faster. Dunno if the freeablo developer will continue on his project, maybe he could help out on this one or take from it. Just hope i can finally play diablo on Linux soon.
(also somebody copy the source code before bizzard hears about this)
There is a Diablo 3, it just isn't good... like at all. About the only thing I would mark it as good are the graphics. Past that it is way too easy. Like I can set down my controller and leave the room and that is the only way I die, easy. The way they balanced it is ridiculous, and my brother and I were playing on the hoghest difficulty allowed.
This is cool though, Diablo 1 and 2 are still great games!
I'm pretty sure he was kidding, but yeah I thought Diablo 3 was a letdown too.
Ha, well to be fair, I thought so as well, but then again I actually had forgotten it'd come out until I saw it for sale on the PS4, then thought I'd pick it up, and it was pretty terrible. Pretty much you stay alive as long as you mash buttons and pick the right skills. Friend of mine said you play it for the gear... and I was like "what's the point in that?" If I wanted to play for gear, I'd play an MMO.
Perkeleen_Vittupää Jun 20, 2018
We should clone the repository so we'll have a copy in case that it gets DMCA:d.... Microsoft is owning GitHub now so can't be too precautious.
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