List of open-source video games


This is a list of open-source video games which are ; open-source video games are assembled from and are themselves open-source software, including public domain games with public domain source code. This list includes games in which the game engine is open-source but the game content may be under a more restrictive license.

Open engine and free content

The games in this table are developed under a free and open-source license with free content which allows reuse, modification and commercial redistribution of the whole game. Licenses can be public domain, GPL, BSD, Creative Commons, zlib, MIT, Artistic License or other.
TitleFirst releaseLast releaseGenreEngine licenseContent licenseDimensionsOther information
0 A.D.20092018RTSGPLv2+CC BY-SA 3.03DHistorical, cross-platform RTS, using an original engine named Pyrogenesis. Game source-code released July 10, 2009.
204820142014PuzzleMITMIT2DA sliding block puzzle game.
Abuse19962011Run and gunPublic domain softwarePublic domain2D
Ancient Beast20122020TBТGPLv3+CC BY-SA 3.02.5DHeavily inspired by Heroes of Might and Magic III's combat system.
Argentum Online19992018MMORPGGPLv3+GPLv3+2DFirst Open Source MMORPG developed in Argentina.
Armagetron Advanced20012016RacingGPLv2+GPLv2+3DA multiplayer, 3D Tron lightcycle racing game.
AstroMenace20072019ArcadeGPLv3+GPLv3+, CC BY-SA 4.03DA top-scrolling space shooter.
Ballerburg19872008 Artillery gamePublic domain softwarePublic domain2DPublic domain software on the authors website with source code. Later ported to other systems such as Linux, MacOS, iOS, etc.
The Battle for Wesnoth20052020TBТGPLv2GPLv22DTurn-based tactical strategy game with RPG elements. Includes single-player campaign and skirmish modes as well as multiplayer.
Biniax20052012Puzzlezlibzlib2D
Blob Wars20032009Platformer, Action-adventureGPLv2GPLv2, CC BY-SA, other open source2D, 3D
Bos Wars20042013RTSGPLv2GPLv2Isometric 2D2D RTS running on a modified version of the Stratagus engine.
BZFlag19972018Tank FPSLGPLv2.1LGPLv2.13DA first-person shooter 3D tank based multiplayer online game.
C-Dogs SDL20022018Run and gunGPLv2CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA2DOverhead run and gun, with hotseat co-operative and deathmatch play for up to four players.
Cart Life20112017SimulationCart Life's Free License Cart Life's Free License, Freeware2DIn March 2014 the source code and game was made available by Richard Hofmeier for free online, saying he was finished supporting the game. Winner of the IGF 2013 award. Mirrored on github.
'20132020RPG/RoguelikeCC BY-SACC BY-SA2DA post-apocalyptic, survival roguelike with an open-ended gameplay. Had a successful crowdfunding campaign on kickstarter.com on 22 June 2013.
Chromium B.S.U.20002016ArcadeClarified ArtisticMIT2DA fast-paced, arcade-style, top-scrolling space shooter
Cocaine Diesel20182020FPSGPLv3+GPLv3+3DA Fast-paced FPS based on qfusion with a big emphasis on drug promotion and criminal lifestyles.
Colobot20012018RTS, EducationalGPLv3+GPLv3+3DSource code released in October 2014
Colossal Cave Adventure19761995Text adventurePublic domain softwarePublic domainTextThe original text adventure game by Crowther / Woods.
Core War19841984Programming gamevarious variousTextOriginal created by D. G. Jones and A. K. Dewdney, continued until today by the community.
Crossfire19922019MMORPGGPLv2+GPLv2+Crossfire originally started as a Gauntlet clone developed by Frank Tore Johansen at the University of Oslo, Norway.
Diamond Trust of London20122012TBSPublic domain softwarePublic domain2DFollowing a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign Diamond Trust of London was developed by Jason Rohrer and published by indiePub. On August 28, 2012 it was released for the Nintendo DS. The game has been placed in the public domain, hosted on SourceForge, like most of Rohrer's games.
DRL20132016RoguelikeGPLv2+CC BY-SA 4.02.5DBased on Doom and Doom II.
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup20062019RoguelikeGPLv2+CC02DAn open-source fork of the 1997 game Linley's Dungeon Crawl.
'20052020science fiction/AI simulation gameGPLv2GPLv22DWritten in Python by EMH, later continued by the community.
Enigma20032014PuzzleGPLv2GPLv22DOxyd clone.
Fish Fillets NG20042011PuzzleGPLv2GPLv2Released commercially as Fish Fillets in 1998. Source released in 2002 under the GPL.
FlightGear19972019Flight SimGPLv2GPLv23DMicrosoft Flight Simulator inspired clone.
Freeciv19962020TBSGPLv2GPLv2Isometric 2DCivilization II clone.
FreeCol20032015TBSGPLv2GPLv2Isometric 2DSid Meier's Colonization clone.
Frozen Bubble20022008PuzzleGPLv2GPLv22DPuzzle Bobble clone.
Gang Garrison 220082018ShooterMPLv2MPLv22DA retro "demake" of Team Fortress 2. The project was previously under GPLv3.
Glest20042008RTSGPLCC BY-SA3D3D RTS game with two factions, A.I. and same-platform networking support. Development ceased in 2008. Two forks exist, named MegaGlest and Glest Advanced Engine.
Globulation 220082009RTSGPLv3GPLv32DIn open beta.
GLtron20032016RacingGPLGPL3DBased on the light cycle portion of the film Tron.
GNOME Games19972018VariousGPLGPLA collection of games accompanying the rest of the GNOME desktop environment.
GNU Chess19842017TBSGPLv3GPLv32DChess playing engine developed by the GNU Project
GNU Go19992009TBSGPLv3GPLv3Go playing engine developed by the GNU Project
Hikou no mizu20102020FightingGPLv3FAL, other open source2DA platform-based fighting game featuring anime-styled graphics
HyperRogue20112020Puzzle/Roguelike/EducationalGPLv2GPLv2HyperbolicPuzzle roguelike in the hyperbolic plane.
kiki the nano bot20032007PuzzlePublic domain softwarePublic domain3DMixture of Sokoban and Kula World.
Lincity19992013City-building gameGPLGPL2.5DSimCity clone.
Liquid War19952015Maze gamesGPLGPL2D2D game in which you control particles and move them to defeat the opposing side.
Lugaru20052017Action Third PersonGPLv2+CC BY-SA3DA game by Wolfire Games where the player is an anthropomorphic rabbit who seeks revenge when a group of enemy rabbits kill their family.
Maelstrom19922010Shoot 'em upGPLCC-BY2D
MegaGlest20102016RTSGPLCC BY-SA3DCross-platform 3D RTS for up to eight players on seven factions. MegaGlest is a fork of Glest.
MegaMek20052018TBТGPLGPLSimulates the Classic BattleTech board game.
Moria19831999RPG/RoguelikeGPLGPL2DA roguelike RPG based heavily on J. R. R. Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings.
NetHack19872020RPG/RoguelikeNethack GPLNethack GPLTextA single player dungeon exploration game.
Netrek19882011Shoot 'em upMITMIT2DSuccessor to 1986's Xtrek, Netrek was first played in 1988. It was the third Internet game, the first Internet team game, and as of 2011 is the oldest Internet game still actively played.
Nexuiz20052009FPSGPLGPL3DForked into Xonotic
NoGravity1997 2005Space shooterGPLv2GPLv23DSource code of the Wing Commander inspired game released by realtech VR on February 16, 2005.
One Hour One Life20182018SurvivalPublic DomainPublic Domain2DMultiplayer co-op survival game
Oolite20062018Space SimGPLv2GPLv23DElite clone.
OpenArena20052012FPSGPLv2GPLv23DQuake III clone.
OpenCity20032008City-building gameGPLGPL3DSimCity clone.
OpenClonk20102018Action, PlatformISCCC BY2DSuccessor of the Clonk shareware series.
Passage20072007Side-scrollerPublic domain softwarePublic domain2DIn 2007 Rohrer released the game's source code and assets into the public domain, while asking for donations and selling the iOS version for $0.99.
Pingus19982011PuzzleGPLGPL2DLemmings clone.
Pioneer20062020Space simGPLv3CC BY-SA3DInspired by '.
PokerTH20062017CardGPLGPL2D
PySol20012020Card, PatienceGPLv3Public domain and GPLv32D
Rigs of Rods20072020Vehicle SimGPLv3GPLv33DRigs of Rods was initially created as an off-road truck simulator, but has developed into a versatile physics sandbox.
Rocks'n'Diamonds19952018PuzzleGPLv2GPLv22DA scrolling tile-based computer puzzle game that can be described as a combined Boulder Dash, Supaplex, Emerald Mine, and Sokoban clone.
Ryzom20042018MMORPGAGPLCC BY-SA3DAll textures and effects, 3D models, animations, characters and clothing are under CC BY-SA.
Scorched 3D20012014Artillery gameGPLGPL3DClone of Scorched Earth
Secret Maryo Chronicles20032014PlatformerGPLv3GPLv32D2D platformer inspired by the Super Mario series.
Seven Kingdoms19972017RTSGPLGPL2DSource code released in 2009.
Simutrans19972018Business SimArtisticArtistic2DSimilar to Transport Tycoon and its open-source clone, OpenTTD. The player must build a profitable transportation system.
Sintel The Game20122012RPGGPLCC BY, GPL3DA game based on the Blender Foundation movie Sintel.
Soldat 20022020ActionMIT licenseCC-BY 4.02DOn May 26, 2020 the source code of Soldat was released under MIT license on GitHub.
Sopwith19842014Shoot 'em upGPLGPLThe C and x86 assembly source code to Sopwith was released in 2000, at first under a non-commercial use license, but later under the GNU GPL at the request of fans.
Space Station 14
'		20202020RPGMITMIT, CC BY-SA 3.02DA 2D multiplayer role-playing game. While the original game was written in BYOND, the community around it created this continuation project written in C# using a custom game engine.
Speed Dreams20102018Sim racingGPLv2+FAL3DForked from TORCS in late 2008.
StepMania20012018Rhythm gameMITMIT2D, 3DA DDR clone, the player must hit buttons or keys in time with the music.
SuperTux20032020PlatformerGPLGPL2D2D platformer inspired by the Super Mario series.
SuperTuxKart20062020RacingGPLGPL3DArcade racing game similar to Mario Kart.
Teeworlds20072019PlatformerzlibCC BY-SA 3.0 2DA 2D online multiplayer side-scrolling shooter.
Tenés Empanadas Graciela19962015TBSGPLv2GPLv2Based on the boardgame Risk.
The Castle Doctrine20142014MMOPublic domain softwarePublic domain2DA game by Jason Rohrer, developed on a Sourceforge repository and sold on Steam for $15.99.
The Powder Toy20102019Sandbox gameGPLv3GPLv32DA falling-sand game
Tremulous20062009FPSGPLv2CC BY-SA 2.53DAlien VS human base building, defending, and attacking opposite team.
TripleA20022018TBSGPLv2GPLv22DA turn based strategy game inspired by Axis & Allies and board game engine. Development is ongoing.
Tux Racer20002009RacingGPLv2+GPLv2+3D
Tux, of Math Command20012011Educational gameGPLv3+GPLv3+2D
Uebergame20142018FPSMITCC03DModern Multiplayer Shooter with realistic graphics, comes with integrated editor.
'20062016TBТGPLv2+GPLv2+, CC BY-SA 3.03DInspired by the -series, but with 3D-combats on surface of the earth.
Ultimate Tapan Kaikki19982019Top-down shooterGPLv3GPLv32DThe classical Finnish freeware shooter's asset and source code were released in November 2018 on GitHub. Development continues.
UltraStar Deluxe20072020MusicGPLv2+GPLv2+2DSingStar clone.
Unknown Horizons20082019City-building gameGPLv2+GPLv2+, CC BY-SA 3.0, OFLv1Isometric 2DGenre-mix of city-building game and real-time strategy game, inspired by the Anno series.
Unvanquished20122018FPSBSD 3-clause, GPLv3+CC BY-SA 2.53DTeam-based first person shooter with strong RTS elements, derived from the Tremulous project.
Vega Strike20082012Space SimGPLv2+GPLv2+3D' clone and space simulator engine.
20192019FPSGPLv2+CC BY-SA 4.03DA fast-paced arena FPS with movement tricks.
Warmux20022011Artillery gameGPLv2+GPLv2+2DWorms clone.
Warzone 210019992020RTS, RTTGPLv2+GPLv2+, CC0, other open source3DPost-apocalyptic, cross-platform RTS.
Widelands20022019RTSGPLv2+GPLv2+Widelands is a RTS clone of The Settlers II.
WorldForge19982014MMORPGGPLv3GPLv2+3DAn open-source framework for massively multiplayer online role-playing games.
Xconq19872005TBSGPLv2+GPLv2+4X strategy game engine.
X-Moto20052020PlatformerGPLv2+GPLv2+2DElasto Mania clone.
Xonotic20102017FPSGPLv2+GPLv2+3DA fork and direct successor of the game Nexuiz. Binary files for Linux and Windows is under GPLv3+.
XPilot19922010ArcadeGPLv2+GPLv2+2DA multiplayer Asteroids-like game.
Yo Frankie!20082009Action-adventureGPLv2+, LGPLv2.1CC BY 3.03D

Open-source games with non-free content

Only the game engines in this table are developed under an open-source license, which means that the reuse and modification of only the code is permitted. As some of the games' content created by the developers is proprietary or restricted in use, the whole games are non-free and restricted in reuse. The motivation of developers to keep own game content non-free while they open the source code may be the protection of the game as sellable commercial product. It could also be the prevention of a commercialization of a free product in future, e.g. when distributed under a non-commercial license like CC NC. By replacing the non-free content with free content, these games could also become completely free. In practice, many projects include a mixture of free and non-free own content.
TitleFirst releaseLast releaseGenreEngine licenseContent licenseDimensionsOther information
Angband19902016RoguelikeGPLv2GPLv2, ProprietaryText
AssaultCube20062010FPSzlibCC BY-NC-SA3DBased on Cube. A lightweight online FPS, with a built-in map maker and capable of being played with a 56k connection.
C-evo19992013TBТ, 4XPublic domain softwareProprietary2DInspired by Sid Meier's Civilization
Alien Arena20042011FPSGPLProprietary3DBased on ID Software open-source engine.
CorsixTH20132020SimulationMITProprietary 2DOpen-source clone of Theme Hospital
Cube20022005FPSzlibProprietary3DDeathmatch style multiplayer gameplay with map editing.
'20042013FPSzlibVarious non-free and some free licenses3DDeathmatch style multiplayer gameplay with map editing.
Frets on Fire20062008MusicGPLGPL, Proprietary3DGuitar Hero clone.
Frogatto & Friends20102013Platformerzlib licenseProprietary2DInitially for Windows, Linux, and Mac; hold and toss enemies, swim, talk; scripting language included.
Gravity Bone20082009PlatformerGPLv2freeware3DBrendon Chung built this game on base of the Quake 2 engine and released therefore the game's source code in 2008. In 2015 ported to Linux and the OpenPandora handheld.
H-Craft Championship20072015RacingzlibFree for personal use3DSci-Fi Racer for Linux, Windows and Android which is using the Irrlicht engine.
Hammerfight20092011physics based combatzlibcommercial2DFor the third Humble Indie Bundle Ryan C. Gordon ported the underlying game engine, "Haaf's Game Engine", to Linux and Mac OS X, and released source code under the zlib license.
Katawa Shoujo20122012Visual NovelMIT license CC BY-NC-ND2DA visual novel.
Narcissu20052005Visual novelGPLFreeware/PFSL2DIs a free visual novel by the dōjin group stage-nana, telling the story of a terminally ill young man and woman. The english version was made with the ONScripter engine.
OpenTTD20052020Business SimGPLv2GPLv2, CC Sampling Plus2DAn open-source clone of 'Transport Tycoon Deluxe'
osu!20072020Rhythm gameMIT licenseCC BY-NC 4.02DOpen-source clone of several games, including Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan!, Taiko no Tatsujin and beatmania IIDX. On August 28, 2016, osu! was open-sourced under the MIT License on GitHub, assets under CC BY-NC. Aims is to make osu!, written in C# with the.NET Framework, available to more platforms and transparent.
PlaneShift20012016MMORPGGPLProprietary3DFree to play MMORPG.
'20032020Third-person shooterGPLv2Proprietary3DSource code was released as GPLv2 by Raven Software and Activision following the dissolution of Lucas Arts in 2013.
Steel Storm: Episode I20102010ActionGPLv2CC BY-NC-SA 3.0Based on DarkPlaces. An indie top-down arcade shooter with single-player, deathmatch, and co-op.
Smokin' Guns20092012FPSGPLv2Proprietary3DWestern-themed first-person shooter using the ioquake3 engine.
Tales of Maj'Eyal20122016RPG/RoguelikeGPLv3+GPLv3+, Proprietary2DDeveloped open-source from the beginning with the own T4E engine, while the assets are kept proprietary for commercialization on Steam and gog.com.
The Dark Mod20092020Stealth gameGPLv3+CC BY-NC-SA3DFirst person stealth game in the style of the Thief games using a modified Id Tech 4 engine
The Last Eichhof19931993Shoot-'em-up"Do whatever your want" license Freeware2DShoot-'em-up game released for DOS in 1993 by Swiss development group Alpha Helix. Source code released in 1995.
The Ur-Quan Masters20022018Action-adventureGPLv3CC BY-NC-SA 2.52DSource port of Star Control II.
The White Chamber20052006 / 2013AdventureMIT license / CC BY-NC-SA CC BY-NC-SA / Freeware2DThe White Chamber and its Wintermute source code have been released under CC BY-NC-SA Creative Commons license. That means anyone is free to share and modify the game as long Studio Trophis is credited, it is not for commercial gain and that the result is made available under a similar license. 2013 the Wintermute engines source code was released under MIT.
TORCS19972016RacingGPLFree Art License, Proprietary3DSome car models are non-free, but there is a DFSG-compliant version which doesn't include them.
Urban Terror20002018FPSGPLProprietary3DMultiplayer tactical shooter based on the id tech 3 engine.
VDrift20052012RacingGPLv3+GPLv3+, Proprietary3DSome datas are non-free, for example the "SV" car model, under a CC BY-NC-SA license.
Warsow20052017FPSGPLv2+CC BY-SA 4.0, CC BY-ND 4.03DA fast-paced arena FPS with movement tricks.
World of Padman20072008FPSGPLProprietaryOriginally a Quake 3 modification. Became stand-alone in 2007, now runs on ioquake3.
Zero-K20102020RTSGPLv2+various, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 3DZero-K is a multi-platform real time strategy game inspired by Total Annihilation, powered by the Spring game engine. Released 2018 on Steam.

Open-source remakes with non-free content from the proprietary original

The video game remakes in this table were developed under an open-source license which allows usually the reuse, modification and commercial redistribution of the code. The required game content is taken from a proprietary and non-opened commercial game, so that the whole game is non-free. See also the Game engine recreation page.
TitleFirst releaseLast releaseGenreEngine licenseContent licenseDimensionsOther information
OpenMW20082018RPGGPLv3+Proprietary / CC BY SA 3DEngine remake of.
OpenRA20092020RTSGPLv3+ Proprietary. As of 2020, it primarily uses proprietary content from the of the classic games.2DEngine remake for the classic games in the Command & Conquer franchise, in particular.
OpenGW20142016Shoot em upGPLv3+ Proprietary. It uses art assets and music from the original game.2DRemake of Geometry Wars.

Proprietary developed games, later opened under varying licenses

For games that were originally developed proprietary as commercial closed source product, see also :Category:Commercial video games with freely available source code.