Especially when the source code isn't exactly an asset at that point. The code behind most old games is probably too brittle/clunky/coupled to be reused in new

Especially when the source code isn't exactly an asset at that point. The code behind most old games is probably too brittle/clunky/coupled to be reused in new works, but enthusiastic fans would gladly breathe life into them, even non-commercially. The sources for big things like Starcraft and Age of Empires II gives you a monopoly on the new content though, so I understand why publishers keep those hits close to their chest. It's a shame they're not more liberal about the ones they aren't actively keeping up.