Oolite [1] is implemented in Objective-C and scripted in Javascript. The "strict mode" base game has the look'n'feel of the original - there's even an option for wireframe display somewhere - but its vast ecosystem of mods (500+ last time I played, some years ago) is much more interesting.
I don't play it anymore because I'm more interested in building games and game building now (with Luanti [2]), but it is IMO one of the top FOSS titles.
Yes. The original Elite was reverse-engineered into C by Christian Pinder as part of the Elite: The New Kind project. The source is out there. It's a brilliant bit of work.
Would you have any objection to your version being used as an AI test?
It seems plausible that AIs could port this code to other architecures. It seems like a good large scale task that most systems probably can't manage right now, but perhaps soon.
Although C probably counted as a modern language back then (after all it's not B) today I think "modern" probably means at least Java and likely something from this century like Rust or Typescript.
"Modern" means "we fixed the deficiencies of the old project and introduced our own". When I read "modern" I understand it's likely to be a variation of the second system effect [1]. When it's not just advertisement/PR BS.
When it's part of a request, it generally means "I don't know tech XYZ but I'm pretty sure I could enjoy it and contribute if it was using a tech I know". Which is generally a form of procrastination.
I dislike Javascript and I don't know Objective-C, and it didn't prevent me to tinker with Oolite, which uses both, because I like the game (now, tbh assembly is "hardcore" so OP's request is legitimate).
