Indie developer Cellar Door Games has generously released the source code for its critically acclaimed 2013 roguelike, Rogue Legacy, to the public. This decision, driven by a commitment to knowledge sharing, allows anyone to download and utilize the code for free. The code is available on GitHub under a specialized, non-commercial license, meaning personal use is permitted.
While the source code is freely accessible, it's important to note that the game's assets, including art, graphics, and music, remain under proprietary license and are not included. Cellar Door Games encourages those interested in using assets outside the license's scope or incorporating elements not present in the released code to contact them directly.
This act of generosity has been met with widespread praise from the gaming community. The release ensures the game's longevity, providing a safeguard against potential delisting from digital storefronts and contributing to digital game preservation. The availability of the source code also offers valuable learning opportunities for aspiring game developers. The initiative even sparked interest from the Rochester Museum of Play, prompting a proposal for a collaborative donation.
The GitHub repository, managed by developer Ethan Lee, contains all localized text from Rogue Legacy. Cellar Door Games emphasizes the code's purpose: to facilitate learning, inspire new projects, and enable the creation of tools and modifications for Rogue Legacy 1. The company welcomes communication from individuals looking to explore uses beyond the license's stipulations or incorporate assets not included in the released repository.
