Stronghold: 3 Open Source Clones Compared
Sourcehold doesn't require original Stronghold assets to run, but its own README says development is frozen specifically pending Firefly Studios' Stronghold Definitive Edition release, and it currently only reaches semi-playable status. Stone Kingdoms is the actively developed option among these three, but it does require original Stronghold (2001) image assets. Castlekeep is an early, halted, unplayable project with no further documented details beyond its one-line description.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Semi-playable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux, OSX
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 2y ago
- Stars
- 281
- Contributors
- 13
- License
- MIT
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoThe engine implementation does not require original Stronghold assets.
- Modding support
- YesSteam Workshop support for creating and sharing custom content.
- Multiplayer
- Online
Availability
- Status
- Semi-playable
- Platforms
- None
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 23d ago
- Stars
- 166
- Contributors
- 31
- License
- apache-2.0
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesStone Kingdoms uses image assets from Firefly Studios' Stronghold (2001).
- Modding support
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- None
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 7y ago
- Stars
- 16
- Contributors
- 1
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
| Title | Sourcehold | Stone Kingdoms | Castlekeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Semi-playable | Semi-playable | Unplayable |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, OSX | None | None |
| Play in browser | No | No | No |
| Mobile | No | No | No |
| Project health | |||
| Development status | Halted | Active | Halted |
| Last updated | 2y ago | 23d ago | 7y ago |
| Stars | 281 | 166 | 16 |
| Contributors | 13 | 31 | 1 |
| License | MIT | apache-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Engine | SDL2 | — | SDL2 |
| Compatibility | |||
| Requires original assets | NoThe engine implementation does not require original Stronghold assets. | YesStone Kingdoms uses image assets from Firefly Studios' Stronghold (2001). | — |
| Modding support | YesSteam Workshop support for creating and sharing custom content. | — | — |
| Multiplayer | Online | — | — |
| Preview | | |
Known limitations
- development: Project is frozen pending the release of Stronghold Definitive Edition from Firefly.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Stronghold clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
What license do these Stronghold clones use?
Sourcehold (MIT); Stone Kingdoms (apache-2.0); Castlekeep (GPL-3.0).
Do I need to own the original Stronghold to play these clones?
Sourcehold runs standalone, no original files needed; Stone Kingdoms requires original game assets to play.
Which Stronghold clone is the most actively maintained?
Stone Kingdoms is currently under active development, based on recent commit activity. See the "Development status" row above for every clone's current status.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Stronghold.