Novalume

Novalume is a cross-platform modernization of the classic Roblox client and server source tree. It preserves the historical engine where compatibility requires it while replacing obsolete platform, rendering, networking, audio, and build infrastructure with maintained equivalents.

The active macOS Player runs the real DataModel, Luau scripts, simulation, bgfx/Metal renderer, GameNetworkingSockets transport, miniaudio runtime, and package-backed current Roblox resources. Standard R15, R15-plus, and supported Rthro rigs use hash-pinned assets from the designated Studio build. Modern RBXL/RBXLX compatibility is verified against the selected Backrooms fixture; the project also provides an RBXLP place package format for embedding authorized assets without changing authored place semantics.

This remains an active modernization project. See docs/modernization/STATUS.md for evidence and known incomplete work. In particular, the authentic current in-experience UI is preserved but its final semantic and visual acceptance is deferred until the remaining non-UI runtime and platform work is complete.

Repository layout

• apps/player — shared Player entry point and platform packaging
• apps/services — RCC and related server applications
• engine — subsystem-owned runtime libraries
• platform — host and platform integrations
• shaders — owned cross-platform shader sources and manifests
• content — preserved and imported runtime content
• tests — unit, integration, rendering, and compatibility contracts
• tools — dependency, packaging, import, and verification tools
• third_party — documented external and historical dependencies

macOS arm64 build

Requirements are CMake 3.28+, Ninja, Xcode, Python 3, and the pinned dependency sources fetched by CMake. Build the pinned OpenSSL archive first:

./tools/dependencies/build-openssl.sh macos-arm64
cmake --preset macos-arm64-release
cmake --build --preset macos-arm64-release -j 1
ctest --preset macos-arm64-release

The self-contained application is produced at:

out/build/macos-arm64-release/apps/player/RobloxPlayer.app

Reference-dependent resource imports require the exact external roots recorded in CMakePresets.json. Importers validate their manifests and hashes; missing or mismatched reference data is an error rather than permission to substitute or fabricate assets.

Compatibility and verification

The default build excludes the historical D3D9, D3D11, and OpenGL renderers but does not delete them. Current verification includes deterministic audio, network transport and DataModel replication, serialization, R15 animation and mesh loading, package-local asset delivery, and actual Metal Player runs.

Project boundaries and acceptance policy are documented in AGENTS.md, and the immutable execution checklist is in docs/modernization/TASKLIST.md.

Provenance

The source began from the public 2016 Roblox tree maintained at Julien-Rodot/Roblox-2016-. Third-party licensing and attribution are preserved in THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md and the files under third_party.