Source code is among some of the most valuable finds that archivists can make. Thanks to some auction purchases, one preservationist now has the code for Turok: Dinosaur Hunter and NBA Jam Extreme.
Last month, the folks at SiliconClassics got their hands on workstations and discs from Acclaim Entertainment. The company went bankrupt in 2004, with assets sold at auction. Among the data on those stations was the source code for Nintendo 64 first person shooter/fog simulator Turok: Dinosaur Hunter.
A new discovery has unearthed what appears to be the source code for NBA Jam Extreme a 3-D entry in the popular basketball franchise. The files seem to indicate that the project was known by the odd codename “Squid.” An additional copy of Turok‘s source code was also found.
As companies fold and data storage deteriorates, it is harder and harder to preserve games either in their original state or remasters. SiliconClassics claims that Nightdive Studios CEO has expressed interest in the source code. Kotaku has reached out to Nightdive Studios for more information.
Dev kits and data often find their way to auction. Finding important source code or lost projects helps keep game history alive. Finds like this give insight to game development including cut features or design trick used in making the games. Who knows, the next time there’s an auction, maybe you’ll find something special hidden on the hard drive.
Comments
8 responses to “Guy Finds Turok, NBA Jam Source Code On Auctioned Computers”
Fog simulator, nice.
Which often pisses publishers off because it defeats their goals of making their content expire like consumable foods thus making the ground rich for them to try and force a royalty on second hand sales.
i wonder how long it will take for some one to claim ownership of them
Could be Smaug the Dragon. Like the fictional beast, there are holders that just go after rights just so they can nickel and dime a royalty yet won’t do anything productive with the right in question.
Edge trademark anyone?
yep its what im expecting. i know hollywood does it all the time, they buy the rights to something to prevent it from being made or to just collect royalities
Hang on, doesn’t Nightdive have the code already? Or is the PC version of Turok on GoG just emulated?
Isn’t the code for Turok is already claimed?
I am sure I read the devolper of the Turok remake/re-relase on Steam was using the N64 code and assets as a base.
Maybe it was just the assets though.
Really curious about the legality of this, surely it’s not as simple as finders keepers?