# Beyond games: software, firmware and system reconstruction

Author: DecompHub
Updated: 2026-10-10
Language: en
Canonical: https://decomphub.com/guides/decompilation-beyond-games

Reverse engineering extends beyond games to application compatibility, operating systems, firmware and hardware documentation. Searching only for “decompilation” can miss projects that describe their work as reimplementation, compatibility or device research. Start with the behavior or platform you want to understand.

## Software and operating systems

[Darling](https://github.com/darlinghq/darling) works on running Darwin/macOS software in a Linux environment. [ReactOS](https://reactos.org/what-is-reactos/) develops an operating system aimed at compatibility with Windows software and drivers. These are useful starting points for studying compatibility goals; neither example establishes universal application support.

Ask which interfaces are implemented, which programs are tested and where limitations are documented. A compatibility matrix or reproducible test can be more informative than a single completion percentage. Browse [software](https://app.decomphub.com/categories/applications) and [operating-system projects](https://app.decomphub.com/categories/operating-systems) separately when you want to distinguish an application replacement from a broader execution environment.

## Firmware and hardware research

[coreboot](https://www.coreboot.org/) is a starting point for open firmware work. Check support for the exact board before assuming related hardware behaves the same way. Replacement firmware is not automatically a decompilation of a vendor image.

The [Asahi Linux documentation](https://github.com/AsahiLinux/docs) records Apple Silicon research, while [Project Trellis](https://github.com/YosysHQ/prjtrellis) documents Lattice ECP5 FPGA architecture and supports an open tooling ecosystem. These examples illustrate why useful reverse-engineering work may consist of structured knowledge and tools rather than a reconstructed application.

## Search with a concrete target

Combine a product, chipset, file format or API name with `reverse engineering`, `reimplementation`, `compatibility` or `documentation`. Verify the repository's scope and follow its official documentation. Similar project names do not establish a relationship or endorsement.

Record the hardware revision or software version, the project's stated goal and the evidence you would need to use it. Do not infer support from a repository's stars, language or category alone. If you specifically need reusable OSS, examine the actual license rather than treating public visibility as permission.

Use the [firmware](https://app.decomphub.com/categories/firmware) and [hardware-research](https://app.decomphub.com/categories/hardware) catalogues to continue. The [work-type guide](/guides/decompilation-reimplementation-recompilation) helps interpret the different goals you will encounter.