Smartly Dressed Games, the creative minds behind the immensely popular free-to-play zombie survival simulator, Unturned, have taken a significant step in fostering community engagement by releasing the game’s source code for non-commercial use. In a recent announcement on Steam, the developers expressed their enthusiasm: “Unturned’s source code and project files are now freely available!” They encouraged players to explore their creativity, stating, “Whether you have a new feature or total conversion in mind, the sky’s the limit.”
Empowering Community Creativity
In an accompanying FAQ, Smartly Dressed Games elaborated on their motivation behind this release, emphasizing their commitment to supporting the community’s creative endeavors. “Unturned’s greatest strength is our passionate community,” the studio noted. By making the source files accessible, they hope to empower players to expand upon the game, ensuring its legacy endures regardless of future changes or the passage of time.
However, the developers have outlined specific conditions for those interested in utilizing the source code. They clarified that any modifications or projects must be strictly non-commercial, and all features and content of any mod must remain free for players. Additionally, certain elements of the code have been excluded from the release due to licensing restrictions, including components related to anti-cheat systems and third-party pathfinding programs.
It is important to note that while the source code has been made available, Unturned itself is not classified as open source. The non-commercial license does not align with the Open Source Initiative’s criteria. Nevertheless, Smartly Dressed Games has aspirations for the future, expressing a desire to re-license the U3 SDK under the MIT License once they complete another game and can reacquire specific rights.
Unturned emerged as a notable title during the post-Minecraft and DayZ survival simulation boom. Created by Nelson Sexton during his teenage years, the game entered Steam early access in 2014 and reached its full release three years later. Nearly a decade later, Unturned continues to thrive, attracting thousands of players daily. In April, Smartly Dressed Games rolled out a substantial update that revamped the game’s California map, expanding it sixfold and introducing over 100 new quests, significantly enhancing the endgame experience.
