eqemu-server/README.md

<h1 align="center">EQEmulator Server Platform</h1>

<p align="center">
 <img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/11942e15-b512-402d-a619-0543c7f1151e" style="border-radius: 10px">
</p>

<p align="center">
<b>EQEmulator - A Fan-Made Project Honoring a Legendary MMORPG</b>
</p>

<p align="center">
<a href="https://github.com/eqemu/server/graphs/contributors"><img src="https://img.shields.io/github/contributors/eqemu/server" alt="Contributors"></a>
<a href="https://discord.gg/QHsm7CD"><img src="https://img.shields.io/discord/212663220849213441?label=Discord&amp;logo=discord&amp;color=7289DA" alt="Discord"></a>
<a href="https://docs.eqemu.io"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-MkDocs%20Powered-blueviolet" alt="Docs"></a>
<a href="./LICENSE"><img src="https://img.shields.io/github/license/EQEmu/Server" alt="License"></a> 
<a href="https://github.com/eqemu/server/releases"><img src="https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/eqemu/server" alt="Latest Release"></a>
<a href="https://github.com/EQEmu/Server/releases"><img src="https://img.shields.io/github/release-date/EQEmu/Server" alt="Release Date"></a>
<img src="https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/eqemu/server/total.svg" alt="Github All Releases"></a>
<a href="http://drone.akkadius.com/EQEmu/Server"><img src="http://drone.akkadius.com/api/badges/EQEmu/Server/status.svg" alt="Build Status"></a> 
<img src="https://img.shields.io/github/issues-pr-closed/eqemu/server" alt="GitHub Issues or Pull Requests">
<img src="https://img.shields.io/docker/pulls/akkadius/eqemu-server" alt="Docker Pulls">
<a href="http://drone.akkadius.com/EQEmu/Server"><img src="http://drone.akkadius.com/api/badges/EQEmu/Server/status.svg" alt="Build Status"></a> <img src="https://jb.gg/badges/official-plastic.svg" alt="Official"> 

</p>

***

<p align="center">
EQEmulator is a <b>passion-driven</b>, <b>open source server emulator</b> project dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacy of a groundbreaking classic MMORPG.
</p>

<p align="center">
For over two decades and continuing, EQEmulator has served as a <strong>fan tribute</strong>, providing tools and technology that allow players to explore, customize, and experience the legendary game's iconic gameplay in new ways. This project exists solely out of <strong>deep admiration</strong> for the original developers, artists, designers, and visionaries who created one of the most influential online worlds of all time.
</p>

<p align="center">
We do not claim ownership of the original game or its assets. <strong>All credit and respect belong to the original creators and Daybreak Game Company</strong>, whose work continues to inspire generations of players and developers alike.
</p>

<p align="center">
EQEmulator has for over 20 years and always will be a <strong>fan-based, non-commercial open-source effort</strong> made by players, for players—preserving the legacy of the game while empowering community-driven creativity, learning and joy that the game and its creators has so strongly inspired in us all.
</p>

***

<h3 align="center">
 Technical Overview & Reverse Engineering Effort
</h1>

<p align="center">EQEmulator represents <strong>over two decades of collaborative reverse engineering</strong>, building the server from the ground up without access to the original source code. This effort was achieved entirely through <strong>community-driven analysis, network protocol decoding, and in-game behavioral research</strong>.</p>

<h1 align="center">
 💡 How We Did It
</h1>

<p align="center">
 <img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b6b48cf7-f64a-4497-9750-71f442a3d132" height="300px">
 </p>


<p align="center">
 <strong>Reverse Engineering</strong> 
Every system, packet, opcode, and game mechanic has been reconstructed through countless hours of live packet sniffing, client disassembly, and in-game experimentation by dedicated contributors over the years.
</p>

<p align="center">
 No proprietary code or server sources were ever used.
</p>

<p align="center">
 All implementations are the result of clean-room engineering.
</p>


<h1 align="center">
 🛠️ Technology Stack
</h1>

<p align="center">
 <img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/df5ea809-86c5-439d-a8fa-651fb04ba477" style="border-radius: 10px">
</p>

**C++ Core Engine**

* High-performance networking and gameplay logic built in C++
* Cross-platform support for Linux and Windows

**MySQL / MariaDB Backend**

* Fully structured schema with over 200+ tables
* Supports content customization, expansions, and custom worlds

**Scripting Engine**

* Native support for **Perl** and **Lua** scripting
* Powerfully extendable for quests, NPC behaviors, and custom events

**Open Source Content Database**

* Includes ProjectEQ’s world data up through *Dragons of Norrath*
* 100% customizable to create entirely new game worlds

<h1 align="center">
 🚀 Why It Matters
</h1>

<p align="center">🧬 EQEmulator stands as a <strong>technical preservation project</strong>, ensuring that the magic of classic and custom servers lives on for future generations of players, tinkerers, and game designers.
</p>

> We humbly acknowledge and thank the original developers for creating one of the most influential online experiences in gaming history.

<h1 align="center">
 🧑‍💻🖥️ Supported Clients
</h1>

|Titanium Edition|Secrets of Faydwer|Seeds of Destruction|Underfoot|Rain of Fear|
|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
|<img src="http://i.imgur.com/hrwDxoM.jpg" height="150">|<img src="http://i.imgur.com/cRDW5tn.png" height="150">|<img src="http://i.imgur.com/V48kuVn.jpg" height="150">|<img src="http://i.imgur.com/IJQ0XMa.jpg" height="150">|<img src="http://i.imgur.com/OMpHkKa.png" height="100">|

## 📚 Resources

| Resource             | Badges                                                                                                                                                    | Link                                                                                              |
|---------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **EQEmulator Docs**  | [![Docs](https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-MkDocs%20Powered-blueviolet)](https://docs.eqemu.io)                                                             | [docs.eqemu.io](https://docs.eqemu.io/)                                                           |
| **Discord Community**| [![Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/212663220849213441?label=Discord&logo=discord&color=7289DA)](https://discord.gg/QHsm7CD)                         | [Join Discord](https://discord.gg/QHsm7CD)                                                        |
| **Latest Release**   | [![Latest Release](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/eqemu/server)](https://github.com/eqemu/server/releases) <br> [![Release Date](https://img.shields.io/github/release-date/EQEmu/Server)](https://github.com/EQEmu/Server/releases) <br> [![All Releases](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/eqemu/server/total.svg)](https://github.com/eqemu/server/releases) | [View Releases](https://github.com/eqemu/server/releases)                                         |
| **License**          | [![License](https://img.shields.io/github/license/EQEmu/Server)](./LICENSE)                                                                                | [View License](./LICENSE)                                                                        |
| **Build Status**     | [![Build Status](http://drone.akkadius.com/api/badges/EQEmu/Server/status.svg)](http://drone.akkadius.com/EQEmu/Server)                                     | [View Build Status](http://drone.akkadius.com/EQEmu/Server)                                       |
| **Docker Pulls**     | [![Docker Pulls](https://img.shields.io/docker/pulls/akkadius/eqemu-server)](https://hub.docker.com/r/akkadius/eqemu-server)                                | [Docker Hub](https://hub.docker.com/r/akkadius/eqemu-server)                                      |
| **Contributions**    | [![GitHub PRs](https://img.shields.io/github/issues-pr-closed/eqemu/server)](https://github.com/eqemu/server/pulls?q=is%3Apr+is%3Aclosed)                   | [Closed PRs & Issues](https://github.com/eqemu/server/pulls?q=is%3Apr+is%3Aclosed)                |

## 🛠️ Getting Started

If you want to set up your own EQEmulator server, please refer to the current [server installation guides](https://docs.eqemu.io/#server-installation). We've had 100,000s of players and developers use our guides to set up their own servers, and we hope you will too!

## 🗂️ Related Repositories

| Repository         | Description                                                                      |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [ProjectEQ Quests](https://github.com/ProjectEQ/projecteqquests)  | Official quests and event scripts for ProjectEQ                       |
| [Maps](https://github.com/Akkadius/EQEmuMaps)                     | EQEmu-compatible zone maps                                            |
| [Installer Resources](https://github.com/Akkadius/EQEmuInstall)   | Scripts and assets for setting up EQEmu servers                       |
| [Zone Utilities](https://github.com/EQEmu/zone-utilities)         | Utilities for parsing, rendering, and manipulating EQ zone files      |


## Contributors

<a href="https://github.com/EQEmu/server/graphs/contributors">
  <img src="https://contributors-img.firebaseapp.com/image?repo=EQEmu/server" />
</a>