Well? Beyond 32,812 .COMs...

Edit: May the / an admin / mod move my post to Main? My question is not DOS-specific. Thank you.

What are you asking? Can a file be 2GB in size? Can fasm create a 2GB file? Can <OS> load a 2GB file? Someone gave you a 2GB file and you want to know what it is? Something else?

I want to run a 2GB flat binary from boot. I read that .COM has a 64KB limit. I need 2GB of memory total for my game.

I mean, my original plan was to have a 2GB .COM with all code and data.

I am trying to avoid using any headers or anything Microsoft-specific. No headers, libraries, object files, or linkers.

Game loop / logic / net-code = ASM, and somehow implementing bit arrays for assets. (Taken from 32-bit bitmaps).

It will be running at 1920*1080.

My goal is to program as low-level as possible, so that I can make a networked game that runs independent of any OS.

I'm aware I have to implement drivers, which I am A-OK with. Better than being held hostage by microsoft if and when they decide to implement a tax for using their OS =P.

That depends upon your bootloader and your file system. If you use FAT32 (or other FS that allows large files) and a custom bootloader that maps 2GB contiguous RAM then yes you can.

Is it necessary to use a filesystem at all?

Oh you mean the boot device.

Well, realistically, anyone running this from boot will be using a USB key.

Anyone else would be using a mounted virtual USB key in a VM.

If you decide to go completely low level then you don't need a FS. Just make a custom bootloader and hardcode the location of the 2GB data into it at compile time.

Just use Linux then? (just the kernel, no userland)

Of course, unless you want to do it for fun then sure, but drivers will be a major pain. Even drivers working just for your specific hardware will be painful... and that's just getting started.