Celestial Guardians Unleash Knowledge with Open Source Release

Cellar Door Games, the indie developer behind the acclaimed 2013 roguelike "Rogue Legacy," has generously released the game's source code to the public. Their stated goal? To share knowledge and promote learning within the game development community.

Cellar Door Games Open Sources Rogue Legacy

Game Assets Remain Proprietary, but Collaboration is Encouraged

In a Twitter (now X) announcement, Cellar Door Games shared a link to a GitHub repository containing the complete source code for Rogue Legacy 1. The code is available under a specialized, non-commercial license, allowing free download and personal use.

The initiative has been lauded by gamers and developers alike, providing a valuable learning resource and fostering future game development. The GitHub repository is managed by Ethan Lee, a developer known for his work porting indie games to Linux.

This open-source release also serves as a crucial step in game preservation. Should the game become unavailable through digital storefronts, the source code ensures its continued accessibility. This proactive approach has even attracted the attention of Andrew Borman, Director of Digital Preservation at the Rochester Museum of Play, who expressed interest in partnering with Cellar Door Games.

While the source code is freely available, the game's art, graphics, music, and icons remain under a proprietary license. Cellar Door Games clarifies that the repository's purpose is educational and encourages the creation of tools and modifications. They invite contact for inquiries regarding distribution of work that extends beyond the license terms or incorporates assets not included in the repository.