Show HN: I spent 3 years reverse-engineering a 40 yo stock market sim from 1986

3 months ago

Wall Street Raider, a complex financial simulator, was created by Michael Jenkins, a Harvard Law graduate with no formal programming training, who taught himself to code in the 1980s.
The game's depth and complexity made it nearly impossible for professional developers to modernize or port, with multiple high-profile attempts failing over decades.
Ben Ward, a 29-year-old software developer from Ohio, successfully modernized the game by creating a new interface around Jenkins' original code, rather than rewriting it.
Wall Street Raider has had a significant impact on players' careers, with over 200 CEOs and investment bankers crediting the game for shaping their financial knowledge.
The game's code, written over 40 years, reflects Jenkins' evolving understanding of finance, creating a unique, chaotic market simulation.
Jenkins and Ward's collaboration, despite a 50-year age gap, preserved and revitalized a piece of gaming history, ensuring its legacy continues.

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