Rogue Legacy Dev Shares Game Source Code in Pursuit of Sharing Knowledge

Indie developer Cellar Door Games has generously shared the source code for its acclaimed 2013 roguelike, Rogue Legacy, with the gaming community. Their stated goal? To foster knowledge sharing and inspire future game development.

Cellar Door Games Opens Rogue Legacy's Source Code

Game Assets Remain Proprietary, But Collaboration is Encouraged

In a recent Twitter (X) announcement, Cellar Door Games unveiled the free availability of Rogue Legacy 1's source code. The code, released under a non-commercial license, is now accessible via GitHub, allowing for personal use and study. This act of generosity has been met with widespread praise, offering invaluable learning opportunities for aspiring game developers.

The GitHub repository is managed by Ethan Lee, a developer known for his contributions to other indie game source code releases. This open-source initiative also addresses the critical issue of game preservation in the digital age, ensuring continued access to the game's code even if the original platforms become unavailable. This proactive approach has already caught the attention of Andrew Borman, Director of Digital Preservation at the Rochester Museum of Play, who expressed interest in a potential partnership.

It's important to note that while the source code is freely available, the game's art, graphics, music, and icons remain under proprietary license and are not included. However, Cellar Door Games encourages contact for those interested in using assets beyond the scope of the provided license or incorporating elements not included in the released code. The developer's GitHub page clearly states the intention is to facilitate learning, inspire creativity, and enable the development of new tools and modifications for Rogue Legacy 1.