In a commendable move to foster learning and game development, indie developer Cellar Door Games has released the source code of their acclaimed 2013 roguelike, "Rogue Legacy," for free. The announcement, made via Twitter (X), highlights the studio's commitment to sharing knowledge. "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 the developer, directing enthusiasts to a GitHub repository managed by Ethan Lee, a developer known for his work on other indie titles like Blendo Games' Flotilla.
The release of the source code under a non-commercial-use license allows individuals to download and use it for personal learning and development purposes. This move has been met with widespread appreciation on social media, as it not only provides a valuable resource for aspiring game developers but also contributes to the preservation of digital games. In the event that "Rogue Legacy" becomes unavailable on digital storefronts, the public availability of its source code ensures its continued accessibility.
The initiative caught the attention of Andrew Borman, Director of Digital Preservation at the Rochester Museum of Play, who expressed interest in partnering with Cellar Door Games for an official donation to the museum. This underscores the broader impact of the studio's decision on game preservation efforts.
While the source code repository includes all the game's localized text, it does not contain the icons, art, graphics, or music, which remain under a proprietary license. Cellar Door Games emphasized that the purpose of releasing the code is to educate, inspire new projects, and facilitate the creation of modifications for "Rogue Legacy 1." They encourage anyone interested in using the code for purposes beyond the license's terms or in incorporating any other elements of the game to contact them directly.
