Reviving Classic Unix Games Through Software Archaeology
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On October 26, 1987, Edward Barlow posted to the comp.sources.games newsgroup, introducing a multi-player strategy game called Conquer, set in Middle Earth. This game was notable for its intricate gameplay, allowing players to manage nations, resources, and diplomatic relations in a text-based format.
However, by 2006, the game's source code was in legal limbo, prompting a quest by a university student in Spain to locate the original authors and secure permission to relicense the code under GPL. The search for Barlow and co-creator Adam Bryant was arduous, as many digital breadcrumbs had vanished over the decades.
The breakthrough came in 2011 when Bryant, after discovering an article about the project, granted permission for the original code's release. Yet, the chase for all contributors continued. A significant twist occurred in 2025 when Stephen Smoogen expressed interest in reviving Conquer Version 5, a complete rewrite with advanced features.
This version had a different legal history due to previous commercial arrangements, but Bryant agreed to GPL it as well. The journey also uncovered contributions from another developer, MaF, who had previously created essential PostScript utilities for generating game maps.
Sadly, the search for Richard Caley revealed a tragic end; he passed away in 2005. His contributions to Conquer couldn't be relicensed due to privacy laws, but his legacy lived on through his preserved online presence.
The revival effort not only highlighted the importance of preserving classic games but also illustrated the broader narrative of computing history. Modern packaging tools like Melange helped transition the game from its origins in USENET to contemporary distributions.
The final outcome is two versions of Conquer now fully licensed under GPL v3, representing a significant case study in software archaeology, showing how digital history can be preserved and appreciated.
This endeavor underscores the vital role that community and clear licensing play in maintaining the legacy of software, reminding us that what is seen as legacy today may be tomorrow's treasure.