Eric S. Raymond: AI Decompiled AAA Games, Software Secrecy Is Over

What did Eric S. Raymond say about software secrecy?

Eric S. Raymond declared on X that 'the end of software secrecy is almost upon us.' He based this on AI's ability to decompile entire AAA games, which are among the most complex binaries ever shipped. If they can be cracked, he argues, anything can be, eliminating the secrecy moat around proprietary software.

Raymond, a key figure in the open source movement, initially thought AI-assisted decompilation was just a fun stunt. But he later learned that people are now applying the technique to full AAA games. This changed his mind about the scalability of the technology.

He wrote: 'If they can be decompiled, anything can be.' This implies that the traditional protection of closed-source code—keeping the source hidden—is no longer effective against AI-powered reverse engineering.

Why is AI decompilation of AAA games such a big deal?

AAA games are massive, intricate software artifacts that ship as compiled binaries. Decompiling them manually was impractical. AI makes it possible to reconstruct source code from binaries at scale, proving that even the most protected software can be exposed. This undermines the core assumption that compiled code keeps secrets.

For decades, companies relied on compiled binaries to protect their intellectual property. While reverse engineering was always possible, it was labor-intensive and limited to smaller programs. AI changes that by automating the process and handling complexity.

Raymond notes that if entire AAA games can be decompiled, then any software—from productivity tools to operating systems—could be at risk. This shifts the balance of power from creators to those who want to study or copy code.

• AAA games contain millions of lines of code and complex asset pipelines.
• Manual decompilation of such games would take years; AI can accelerate it dramatically.
• The technique could be applied to any binary, including proprietary business software.

How can software companies protect their code now?

According to Raymond, the only remaining moat is SaaS: keeping executables on servers and delivering functionality via the cloud. This prevents users from accessing the binary directly. Legal protections, like anti-reverse-engineering laws, may also help, but they are not foolproof.

SaaS shields work because the code never leaves the provider's infrastructure. Users interact with the software through APIs or a browser, never receiving the compiled program. This makes reverse engineering much harder, though not impossible if a vulnerability allows access.

Raymond also mentions that some laws will prevent mass decompilation, but he seems skeptical about their long-term effectiveness. He predicts closed-source software may be 'wiped out in a technoapocalypse' rather than gradually fading due to cost pressures.

1. Move critical logic to cloud-based services.
2. Use legal agreements to prohibit reverse engineering.
3. Monitor for unauthorized decompilation and enforce rights.
4. Consider open-sourcing non-core components to build community trust.

Does this mean open source has won?

Not exactly. While Raymond declares victory for open source principles, the end of secrecy doesn't automatically mean all software becomes open. Companies may shift to SaaS to keep control. Open source may become the default for code that is distributed, but proprietary logic could still live in the cloud.

Raymond's statement is more about the inevitability of code exposure than about open source licensing. If all binaries can be decompiled, the distinction between open and closed source blurs. However, open source projects already embrace transparency, so they are less affected.

The real shift is for proprietary vendors who must now rethink how they protect their investments. Some may open-source parts of their stack to build trust and community, while keeping key services proprietary.

Bottom line

Eric S. Raymond's declaration signals a major shift: AI has made software secrecy obsolete. Companies must adapt by moving to SaaS, using legal protections, or embracing open source. The era of hiding code in binaries is ending, and those who ignore this warning risk losing their competitive edge.