# OpenBattlefield2: an unfinished Refractor 2 engine reimplementation

> A C++20 reimplementation of Battlefield 2’s Refractor 2 engine reads original game data and documents menu rendering, level loading and server interoperability. Published crosshair research cites REA/Ghidra evidence IDs and binary addresses; major gameplay systems remain unfinished.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Binary · Game
- Category: Community REA investigations
- Relationship: Author-reported mixed workflow
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-01
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-01
- Original resource: <https://github.com/Moxnatiy/OpenBattlefield2>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/Moxnatiy/OpenBattlefield2/blob/1486ef18f52cb0070c8ae8ae06277a413ecb3977/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/openbattlefield2-refractor-engine-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/openbattlefield2-refractor-engine-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/openbattlefield2-refractor-engine-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Requires an owned Battlefield 2 1.5 installation, CMake 3.24+, Ninja, a C++20 compiler and SDL3; the Flash menu additionally needs Rust and Ruffle.
- **Attribution:** Published crosshair research cites REA Evidence IDs; CLAUDE.md describes the mixed REA/Ghidra workflow and its payload and temporary-project limitations.
- **Testing evidence:** macOS arm64 is the primary platform; the Windows preset is kept building but is not exercised. Tests needing game files can pass with a note when those files are absent.
- **Limits:** Ammunition/reloading, recoil, projectiles, audio, driving and full commander/squad interaction remain unfinished; this is an engine research project, not a complete game port.
- **License:** MIT covers the project code; no original Battlefield 2 game content is redistributed.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/Moxnatiy/OpenBattlefield2/blob/1486ef18f52cb0070c8ae8ae06277a413ecb3977/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/Moxnatiy/OpenBattlefield2/blob/1486ef18f52cb0070c8ae8ae06277a413ecb3977/CLAUDE.md>
3. <https://github.com/Moxnatiy/OpenBattlefield2/blob/1486ef18f52cb0070c8ae8ae06277a413ecb3977/docs/functions/hud-crosshair.md>

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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.