Your Annual Dose of Dungeons and Procedural Fun is Back
It’s that time of year again! The roguelike community is gearing up for its biggest event, the Roguelike Celebration. This year, the beloved conference is happening on Saturday, October 25, and Sunday, October 26, 2025. It’s a fully virtual event dedicated to celebrating everything that makes this genre special-from classic roguelikes to modern roguelites, procedural generation, and innovative narrative games. Whether you’re a seasoned developer, a die-hard fan, or just curious about why everyone loves games with permadeath, this is the place to be.
For over 30 years, roguelikes have carved out a unique space in gaming culture, and this event is all about honoring that rich history while looking toward an exciting future. It’s a community-powered gathering of players, creators, and scholars coming together to share their passion.
What to Expect at Roguelike Celebration 2025
This isn’t your average online conference. While all the talks will be streamed live for free on Twitch and YouTube, the real magic happens inside Roguelike Celebration’s custom-built multiplayer game/chat space. Attending the event with a ticket feels less like watching a stream and more like joining a party. It’s a unique MUD-like interface where you can interact with other attendees, chat with speakers after their talks, and participate in breakout discussions.
The schedule is always packed with fascinating talks from a diverse lineup of speakers. In the past, the event has hosted legendary creators, including Tarn Adams of Dwarf Fortress and the minds behind the original Rogue. This year promises another slate of insightful presentations covering game design, procedural generation techniques, and the evolving definition of what a roguelike can be. The full speaker list and schedule will be released on their website soon!
A Genre That Keeps on Giving
The celebration comes at a time when the roguelike genre is more popular and diverse than ever. The influence of procedural generation and high-stakes gameplay can be seen everywhere. The past year alone has seen a fantastic variety of releases that push the genre’s boundaries.
We’ve had traditional, turn-based titles like Rift Wizard 2 and the long-awaited full release of Caves of Qud. Then there are the action-packed roguelites like Windblown (from the creators of Dead Cells) and the vampire-survivor-like hit Halls of Torment. Even major franchises are getting in on the action, with The Last of Us Part II Remastered including a roguelike survival mode called ‘No Return’. This event is the perfect opportunity to see what’s next for this incredibly creative corner of the gaming world.
More Than a Conference, It’s a Community
At its heart, Roguelike Celebration is a volunteer-run event driven by passion. It’s a non-corporate space for people to connect, share ideas, and celebrate the games they love. In a world dominated by big-budget AAA titles, it provides a vital platform for the indie developers and creative thinkers who are the lifeblood of the roguelike genre. It’s a chance to go beyond social media and build genuine connections with fellow fans and creators in a space designed just for them.
Conclusion
If you have any interest in game design, procedural generation, or just enjoy a good, challenging game, you won’t want to miss Roguelike Celebration 2025. It’s an accessible, fun, and deeply informative event that captures the true spirit of the indie and roguelike communities. Tune in for the free talks on Twitch and YouTube, or grab a ticket to immerse yourself fully in the custom social space. Either way, you’re bound to learn something new and leave inspired.
FAQs
What is Roguelike Celebration 2025?
Roguelike Celebration is an annual virtual conference for fans, players, and developers of roguelike games. It features a weekend of talks, games, and conversations about roguelikes, roguelites, procedural generation, and related topics.
When is the event?
The main conference takes place on Saturday, October 25, and Sunday, October 26, 2025.
Is Roguelike Celebration free?
Yes and no. All the talks are streamed for free on Twitch and YouTube. However, to access the exclusive custom-built multiplayer game/chat space for Q&As and socializing, you need to purchase a ticket. The event also offers free tickets for those with financial need.
What’s the difference between a roguelike and a roguelite?
Generally, a classic roguelike features turn-based gameplay, grid-based movement, and permadeath where you lose all progress when you die. A roguelite often has real-time action and meta-progression systems, allowing you to carry over some upgrades or unlocks between runs, making subsequent attempts a bit easier.
Where can I watch the talks?
All talks from the conference will be live-streamed on the official Roguelike Celebration Twitch and YouTube channels. They will also be uploaded to YouTube shortly after the event.
Why should I buy a ticket if the talks are free?
A ticket grants you access to the custom social space. This is where you can participate in live Q&A sessions with speakers, join breakout discussions (unconferencing), and interact with other developers and fans in a unique game-like environment.