Rogue Legacy Dev Releases Source Code to Promote Knowledge Sharing

In a generous move described as “in the pursuit of sharing knowledge,” indie game studio Cellar Door Games has made the source code of its beloved 2013 roguelike Rogue Legacy freely available for download. The decision, shared publicly via Twitter (X), marks over a decade since the original game's launch and opens new doors for aspiring developers and fans alike.

Rogue Legacy Source Code Now Publicly Accessible

Cellar Door Games announced the release with a simple yet powerful message: “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.” Fans were directed to a dedicated GitHub page where the full scripting for Rogue Legacy 1 is hosted under a non-commercial-use license. This means the source code can be downloaded and studied for personal use or educational purposes.

The repository is maintained by developer and Linux porter Ethan Lee, who is also known for contributing to similar open-source efforts for indie titles like Blendo Games’ Flotilla. The release was met with widespread appreciation from the gaming community on social media, with many applauding the gesture as a valuable resource for learning and inspiration.

A Step Toward Game Preservation and Education

Beyond just offering insight into the game’s development, making the source code public plays a key role in digital preservation. Should the game ever be removed from storefronts or become otherwise inaccessible, having the code available ensures that it—and the knowledge within—won’t be lost to time. This resonated with Andrew Borman, Director of Digital Preservation at the Rochester Museum of Play, who reached out to Cellar Door Games proposing an official partnership to preserve the title for future generations.

While the source code includes all localized text and scripts, assets such as icons, art, music, and graphics are not included in the release, as they remain under proprietary licensing. Those looking to incorporate these elements would still need to obtain permission or licenses directly from the rights holders.

On GitHub, Cellar Door Games emphasized the intent behind the release: “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.” They further encouraged anyone wishing to distribute derivative works beyond the scope of the provided license to contact them directly.

This thoughtful act not only honors the legacy of Rogue Legacy but also reinforces the importance of transparency, education, and long-term accessibility in the world of indie game development.