Blocky zombie survival sim Unturned releases its source code so players can build a 'lasting legacy' for the game 'regardless of the changes we make'

Smartly Dressed Games, the developer of the popular free-to-play zombie survival simulation Unturned, has made the game's source code available for non-commercial use. The source code and project files are now freely accessible on GitHub. The decision to release the code stems from the desire to support the community's creative efforts.

According to the developers, the game's strength lies in its passionate community, and releasing the source files allows players and modders to expand upon the game and build a lasting legacy. There are certain conditions for using the source code: it must be strictly non-commercial, and players must be able to access all features and content of their mods for free.

Some elements of the code have been removed due to rights issues, such as anti-cheat systems and third-party pathfinding programs. The release does not make Unturned open source, as the non-commercial license does not meet the Open Source Initiative's definition. Smartly Dressed Games hopes to re-license the U3 SDK under the MIT License in the future, once they finish another game and can re-acquire certain rights.

Since its release in 2014, Unturned has maintained a strong player base, with thousands of players actively participating daily. Recent updates have significantly expanded the game's map, quests, and endgame content.