Game Source Code Released: Rogue Legacy Dev Embraces Openness

Cellar Door Games, the indie developer behind the acclaimed 2013 roguelike "Rogue Legacy," has generously released the game's source code to the public. Their stated goal: to promote knowledge sharing and game development education.

Cellar Door Games Opens Rogue Legacy's Source Code

Game Assets Remain Proprietary, but Collaboration is Encouraged

In a recent announcement on Twitter (now X), Cellar Door Games shared a link to a GitHub repository containing the complete source code for Rogue Legacy 1. The code is available under a specialized, non-commercial license, allowing free download for personal use and study.

The initiative has been lauded by the gaming community, offering valuable learning opportunities for aspiring developers. The GitHub repository is managed by Ethan Lee, a developer known for his contributions to other indie game source code releases.

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. The announcement even caught the attention of Andrew Borman, Director of Digital Preservation at the Rochester Museum of Play, who expressed interest in partnering with Cellar Door Games.

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. Cellar Door Games encourages contact for inquiries regarding the use of these assets or any projects extending beyond the scope of the provided license. The developer's GitHub page clearly states the intention is to facilitate learning, inspire new projects, and enable the creation of tools and modifications for Rogue Legacy 1.