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 act of knowledge-sharing allows aspiring game developers to learn from the codebase and fosters innovation within the gaming community.
Cellar Door Games Releases Rogue Legacy Source Code
Game Assets Remain Proprietary
In a Twitter (now X) announcement, Cellar Door Games stated that the source code is available for free download via GitHub under a specialized, non-commercial license. This means personal use is permitted, opening up opportunities for educational purposes and modification.
The GitHub repository is managed by Ethan Lee, a developer known for his contributions to other indie game source code releases. The decision has been met with widespread praise, recognizing the value of this resource for game development education and preservation.
The release also addresses concerns about game preservation. By making the source code publicly available, Rogue Legacy remains accessible even if it's delisted from digital storefronts. This proactive approach has garnered interest from the Rochester Museum of Play, with their Director of Digital Preservation suggesting a potential partnership.
While the source code is freely available, it's important to note that game assets—including art, graphics, music, and icons—are not included. These remain under a proprietary license. Cellar Door Games encourages contact for inquiries regarding the use of assets not included in the released repository. Their GitHub page clearly states the intent is to facilitate learning, inspire new projects, and enable the creation of tools and modifications for Rogue Legacy.
