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

Cellar Door Games, the indie developer behind the acclaimed 2013 roguelike "Rogue Legacy," has generously released the game's source code to the public. This initiative, driven by a commitment to knowledge sharing, allows developers and enthusiasts to explore the game's inner workings.

Cellar Door Games Open-Sources Rogue Legacy

Game Assets Remain Proprietary, but Collaboration is Encouraged

In a Twitter (now X) announcement, 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, making it free for personal use and study. This act of generosity has been widely praised on social media, offering valuable learning opportunities for aspiring game developers.

The GitHub repository is managed by Ethan Lee, a developer and Linux porter known for his contributions to other indie game source code releases. The release also addresses game preservation concerns, ensuring the game's continued accessibility even if it's removed from digital storefronts. This proactive approach has even garnered interest from the Rochester Museum of Play, with its Director of Digital Preservation suggesting a potential partnership.

It's important to note that while the source code is freely available, the game's assets (art, music, and icons) remain under a 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 repository. The developer's stated goal is to inspire new projects, facilitate tool creation, and enable modifications for Rogue Legacy 1.