Roguelike Database

An AI-driven research project providing a comprehensive, searchable database of roguelike games. Built using Claude Code and Exa AI for systematic game discovery and documentation, with three core directories: media/ (Git LFS), data/ (YAML files), and web/ (Astro site with TypeScript and pnpm).

[!NOTE] > 🤖 AI-Powered Research: This database was systematically researched and documented using Claude Code with Exa AI web search capabilities. Every game entry contains comprehensive research data including historical context, technical achievements, cultural impact, and community analysis.

Features

Comprehensive Database: Extensive collection of roguelike games with detailed metadata
Rich Classification System: Multi-dimensional taxonomy for precise game discovery
Terminal Web Interface: Classic roguelike aesthetic with Astro, TypeScript, and React
Lineage Tracking: Fork relationships and game genealogy visualization
Automated Research: Claude Code integration for continuous game discovery
Media Management: Git LFS-based media storage organized by game slug

Project Goals

This database serves multiple communities:

Players: Discover new games based on detailed preferences and filtering
Researchers: Analyze genre evolution and game design patterns
Game Developers: Research roguelikes for inspiration and learning
Content Creators: Find games for reviews, streams, and articles

Project Structure

roguelikedb/
`-- media/                    # All images, videos (Git LFS managed)
    `-- nethack/              # Media files for nethack.yaml
        `-- screenshot.png
        `-- logo.png
        `-- trailer.mp4
    `-- slay-the-spire/       # Media files for slay-the-spire.yaml
    `-- ...                   # One directory per game slug
`-- data/                     # YAML game entries
    `-- nethack.yaml          # Individual game data files
    `-- slay-the-spire.yaml
    `-- ...                   # Filename = game slug
`-- docs/                     # Documentation
    `-- schema.json           # JSON Schema for YAML validation
`-- web/                      # Astro + TypeScript + pnpm
    `-- src/
    `-- public/media/         # Symlink to ../media
    `-- package.json
    `-- pnpm-lock.yaml

Prerequisites

Node.js (20+ recommended) and pnpm
Git LFS for managing images and large files
Claude Code for automated research (optional)

Installation & Getting Started

1. Clone the repository

git clone [repository-url]
cd roguelikedb
git lfs pull  # Download images and large files

2. Install web interface dependencies

cd web
pnpm install

3. Start the development server

pnpm dev  # Then visit http://localhost:4321

4. Build for production

pnpm build

Contributing

User contributions are more than welcome! While this database was built using AI-driven research, community contributions are essential for maintaining accuracy, adding missing games, and providing diverse perspectives.

Ways to Contribute

Add Missing Games: Submit new roguelike entries with comprehensive data
Improve Existing Entries: Enhance descriptions, add missing metadata, or correct errors
Contribute Media: High-quality screenshots, logos, or gameplay videos
Report Issues: Flag inaccuracies, broken links, or outdated information
Suggest Features: Propose new classification systems or database improvements

Adding New Games

Create YAML file in data/ using game slug as filename
Add media files to media/[slug]/ directory
Follow the JSON Schema in docs/schema.json
Submit pull request with game data and media

Example Game Entry

name: "Your Roguelike"
slug: "your-roguelike"
description: "Brief description of the game"
release_date: "2024-01-01"
developers:
  - "Your Studio"
platforms:
  - "Windows"
  - "Linux"
  - "macOS"

classification:
  primary_type: "roguelike"
  subgenres:
    - "dungeon_crawler"
    - "fantasy"
  gameplay_features:
    - "turn_based"
    - "permadeath"
    - "procedural_generation"
  difficulty: "moderate"

lineage:
  forked_from: "parent-game"
  parent_games:
    - "influence-1"
    - "influence-2"
  notable_forks:
    - "fork-1"
    - "fork-2"

links:
  official_website: "https://example.com"
  steam_page: "https://store.steampowered.com/..."

tags:
  - "indie"
  - "modern"

last_updated: "2025-08-29"

Development Workflow

Content changes don't require local development setup
Web interface changes require Node.js and pnpm
All YAML files are validated against JSON Schema during build
Media files automatically discovered by slug matching

Design Philosophy

Terminal Aesthetic Guidelines

No Modern UI Elements: No drop shadows, gradients, or rounded corners
Sharp, Pixelated Edges: Everything feels like a classic terminal interface
Monospace Typography: Uses monospace fonts for authentic roguelike feel
High Contrast: Classic terminal color schemes (amber on black, green on black, etc.)
ASCII Art: Box-drawing characters for visual elements
Grid-Based Layout: Align everything to character grids like classic roguelikes

Color Palette

Classic Terminal Colors: Amber (#FFB000), Green (#00FF00), White (#FFFFFF)
Dark Backgrounds: Pure black (#000000) or very dark grays
Accent Colors: Classic roguelike colors (red for danger, blue for magic, etc.)
No Gradients: Solid colors only, no smooth transitions

Data Schema

The database uses a comprehensive JSON Schema for validation. Key fields include:

Basic Info: name, slug, description, release dates, developers
Classification: primary_type, subgenres, gameplay_features, difficulty
Lineage: forked_from, parent_games, notable_forks, fork_type
Links: official_website, steam_page, github_repo, wiki
Media: logo, screenshots, videos (auto-discovered by slug)
Community: active_development, open_source, license, community_size
Technical: engine, source_language, system_requirements

Lineage System

The database tracks relationships between games:

Fork Types

direct_fork - Code fork with modifications
major_variant - Significant gameplay changes
spiritual_successor - Inspired by but rewritten
commercial_adaptation - Licensed/commercial version
community_continuation - Community takeover
inspired_by - Influenced by but not directly derived

Example Lineage

Rogue (1980)
  � Hack (1984)
    � NetHack (1987)
      � SlashEM (2000)
      � UnNetHack (2007)
      � NetHack 4 (2013)

AI-Powered Research Methodology

This database was systematically built using Claude Code with Exa AI for comprehensive game discovery and documentation:

1. Systematic Game Discovery

Comprehensive Web Research: Wikipedia roguelike lists, RogueBasin comprehensive listings
Platform Analysis: Steam, itch.io, and mobile app stores with roguelike tags
Community Sources: Reddit communities, Discord discussions, and gaming forums
Academic Resources: Research papers and game development journals
Cross-referencing: Multiple source verification for completeness

2. Deep Research Documentation

Historical Context: Game development backgrounds, release timelines, and cultural significance
Technical Analysis: Engine details, platform availability, and system requirements
Community Impact: Player base analysis, critical reception, and cultural influence
Commercial Metrics: Sales figures, review scores, and market performance
Educational Value: Learning resources, development insights, and genre contributions

3. AI-Enhanced Quality Assurance

JSON Schema validation: Automated data structure verification
Duplicate detection: Cross-referencing to prevent redundant entries
Link validation: Automated checking of external URLs and resources
Research verification: Cross-source fact-checking for accuracy
Comprehensive documentation: Every entry contains extensive research-backed information

Technical Stack

Frontend: Astro + TypeScript + React
Package Manager: pnpm
Styling: TailwindCSS (configured for terminal aesthetic)
Data Format: YAML with JSON Schema validation
Media Storage: Git LFS with slug-based organization
Research: Claude Code + MCP web search
Deployment: Static site generation

Sample Games Included

The database includes sample entries for:

NetHack (1987) - Classic traditional roguelike
Angband (1993) - Tolkien-inspired dungeon crawler
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup (2006) - Modern traditional roguelike
Slay the Spire (2019) - Roguelike deck-building game
Hades (2020) - Action roguelike with narrative
Dead Cells (2018) - Roguelike-Metroidvania

License

Code: MIT License
Game Data: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Media Files: Remain copyright of respective owners, included under fair use for educational/research purposes with proper attribution

Acknowledgments

Claude Code & Exa AI: AI tools that made comprehensive database research possible
Anthropic: For providing Claude Code development environment and AI capabilities
Roguelike Discord: Community inspiration and feedback
RogueBasin: Essential wiki and comprehensive roguelike resource
Contributors: Everyone who helps expand and improve this database
Classic Roguelikes: NetHack, Rogue, Angband, and others that inspired the terminal aesthetic
Open Source Community: Developers and maintainers of the many games documented here

statico/roguelikedb