Game's Code Released Openly for Knowledge-Seeking

Indie Developer Cellar Door Games Releases Rogue Legacy Source Code for Educational Purposes

Game Assets Remain Proprietary, but Collaboration is Encouraged

Cellar Door Games, the developer behind the acclaimed 2013 roguelike Rogue Legacy, has made a significant contribution to the gaming community by releasing the game's source code to the public. This generous act, driven by a desire to foster knowledge sharing, allows anyone to download and utilize the code for personal, non-commercial projects. The code is available on GitHub under a specialized license, accessible via a link shared on Twitter (X).

This initiative, spearheaded by developer and Linux porter Ethan Lee (also known for his work on other indie game source code releases), has been met with widespread praise. The open availability of the code not only provides invaluable learning opportunities for aspiring game developers but also safeguards the game's legacy against potential future inaccessibility, serving as a valuable contribution to digital game preservation. This prompted Andrew Borman, Director of Digital Preservation at the Rochester Museum of Play, to suggest a collaboration with Cellar Door Games.

It's important to note that while the source code is freely available, the game's assets—including art, graphics, and music—remain under a proprietary license and are not included in the release. Cellar Door Games clarifies that the intention is to facilitate learning, inspire new projects, and enable the creation of tools and modifications for Rogue Legacy 1. However, those wishing to distribute work that extends beyond the license's terms or incorporates assets not included in the GitHub repository are encouraged to contact the developer.