Rogue Legacy Dev Releases Source Code to Educate Gamers

In a commendable move towards open knowledge, indie developer Cellar Door Games has released the source code of their highly acclaimed 2013 roguelike game, "Rogue Legacy," making it freely available for download. The decision to share the source code, announced via Twitter (X), underscores the studio's commitment to education and game development. "It's been over 10 years since we released Rogue Legacy 1, and in the pursuit of sharing knowledge, we are officially releasing the source code to the public," stated Cellar Door Games, directing enthusiasts to a GitHub repository where the code can be accessed under a non-commercial-use license.

The repository, managed by developer and Linux porter Ethan Lee, also known for his contributions to other indie games like Blendo Games' Flotilla, has garnered appreciation across social media platforms. The release not only serves as an educational resource but also supports game preservation efforts. This move ensures that "Rogue Legacy" remains accessible even if it were to be delisted from digital storefronts. Andrew Borman, Director of Digital Preservation at the Rochester Museum of Play, expressed interest in collaborating with Cellar Door Games, suggesting an official donation of the source code to the museum.

While the source code, which includes all localized text from the game, is freely available, Cellar Door Games clarified that the game's art, graphics, music, and icons are not included in the release due to their proprietary nature. These elements remain under a separate license that requires payment for use. "The purpose of making the contents of this repo available is for others to learn from, to inspire new work, and to allow the creation of new tools and modifications for Rogue Legacy 1," the studio explained on GitHub. They encourage those interested in using any part of "Rogue Legacy" not included in the repository or in distributing work beyond the terms of the license to contact them directly.