Indie developer Cellar Door Games has generously released the source code for its acclaimed 2013 roguelike, Rogue Legacy, to foster knowledge sharing within the game development community. The code is available for free download and use, marking a significant step in open-source game development.
Cellar Door Games Open-Sources Rogue Legacy
Art and Music Remain Proprietary, but Collaboration is Encouraged
In a recent Twitter (now X) announcement, Cellar Door Games shared the news, highlighting the decade-long anniversary of Rogue Legacy's release as the impetus for this generous act. The source code, accessible via GitHub, is released under a non-commercial license, permitting personal use and study.
The GitHub repository is managed by Ethan Lee, a developer and Linux porter with experience in open-sourcing other indie game projects. The move has garnered significant praise online, offering valuable learning opportunities for aspiring game developers.
This release also serves as a vital step in game preservation, ensuring the game's continued accessibility even if it's removed from digital storefronts. Andrew Borman, Director of Digital Preservation at the Rochester Museum of Play, expressed interest in partnering with Cellar Door Games, suggesting a potential donation to the museum.
While the source code includes all localized text, the game's art, graphics, and music remain under proprietary license and are not included. Cellar Door Games encourages contact for anyone seeking to distribute work beyond the license's scope or incorporate assets not included in the released code. Their goal, as stated on GitHub, is to inspire learning, innovation, and the creation of new tools and modifications for Rogue Legacy 1.
