Category Archives: Games

I finally got Simcity 3000 for Linux working in Debian Etch! Woo! I also got the movies working in Never Winter Nights! I am thrilled! I finally stumbled upon a useful page! He shows how to get most games from Loki running.. The thing is, it was not complete. I still got another error. However, from there, I was able to discover a bit about Ubuntu with Simcity 3000. It seems the first thing I was missing that helped a lot was:

./sc3u-2.0a-x86.run –keep –target SC3Ufiles

This creates a directory called SC3Ufiles underneath the directory for Simcity. You then do an ./update.sh inside of the directory SC3Ufiles. It is all detailed here. I did however download the patches from the new site from Tuxgames. The other big thing was getting the files to work. Which was all detailed on the other page. I am so excited.

The only thing I was lacking to get NWN working on Debian with the movies was the libelf and libelf-dev. Otherwise, it was no problem. 🙂 I am very happy with Debian, becoming more so all the time!

 I recently tried to install Simcity 3000 on Debian Etch, and got an error as I was trying to patch it.. Kinda a bummer. No joy so far on finding answers, will have to keep messing with it, but if anyone figures it out, leave me a comment. I am getting the following error when attempting to apply the patch :

Verifying archive integrity…tail: Warning: “+number” syntax is deprecated, please use “-n +number”
OK
Uncompressing SimCity 3000 Unlimited 2.0a Updatetrap: usage: trap [-lp] [arg signal_spec …]

Then just stops. Never appears to apply the patch. Still does not run with any of the tricks I detailed in one of my original posts on the blog. 🙁

Ok, so I have covered a lot of other game and game types for Linux. Now it is time to cover the FPS types. And there are several, of all types!

1. Unreal Games – There are several versions available on Linux. They are all very good games! Some of the Best.
2. Tremulous – A nice Aliens & Humans FPS/RTS Game. Nice graphics, and decent game play.
3. Cube Games – There are several good Games built on this Engine, including a RPG.
4. ID Software Games – These guys are old school Linux Guys. They been supporting Linux Longer then most people were aware of Linux. If you look around, you can find many of their Doom and Quake offerings, as well as Enemy Territory stuff available for Linux! Many of them free. There are also many mod sites for their stuff on the net.
5. Postal 2 – A weird Game. Be careful of the website, it has slightly adult content. But so does the game. If you are looking for a shootem up kill fest, this game is for you!
6. Dark Horizons : Lore – Load into a Mech and go kill the enemy. This is an interesting FPS taking place in large robots.
7. Nexuiz – is a 3d deathmatch game project. Has pretty graphics, and runs on any platform. Looks nice, plays well, probably cause it is also based originally off the Quake Engines.
8. Warsow -is a fast paced first person shooter with graphics based on the ideology of cyberpunk which is achieved by cartoon-like graphics coupled with cel-shading as well as mixing dark, flashy and dirty textures. It was originally started off a project created on the Quake II Engine.

Linux Gamers Game Faq is a nice resource for figuring how a lot of different problems with Games.

Ok, lets go for something a tad silly.. Or simple, but fun. These may not be the best graphics, but they are what I kill my time with when I do not have a lot of time but need a break.

1. Wormux – If you ever played Scorched Earth or a Worms Game.. This is similar.. Only even sillier! Good fun! Worth taking a look at.
2. Tux Racer– A silly game where you are racing Tux down a hill on his belly getting fish and beating times. There is also Planet Penguin Racer which will soon be moving to Extreme Tux Racer. All good fun! They all look like the same game, but there are multiple versions, so who knows.
3. Pingus : If you ever played Lemmings, this will seem familiar to you, only thing is, now it is Tux that you are trying to save!
4. Frozen Bubble : Yeah, you are just shooting little colored balls.. It is silly, and strangely addictive. Enjoy!
5. Globulation 2 : Ok, not the best RTS game I ever played, but it is decently done, and it has a tutorial and everything else for the kids and beginners! So it is worth a few minutes to check out and see if it is addictive for you!
6. Kbounce : Did you ever play Jezzball on Windows? Well, this is the new version, and on it’s own, it is kinda boring.. However, if you make it use digital pictures from your family album or whatever, it adds a whole new twist, cause you find yourself trying to see enough of the picture to identify etc. Good fun!
7. Konquest : Yeah, it is pretty simple, but it is still a good way to kill a few minutes. You start out with a planet creating 10 ships per turn. The idea, conquer the board. Good luck!
8. Nererball and Neverputt : Yep, silly games, but still strangely fun! Check them out and waste some time!
9. Tribal Trouble : Rather silly, but lots of fun for a RTS game. Help the vikings, or the natives kick the others off the island. Each level goes fairly quick, so a good way to kill a bit of time.
10. Garage Games : Can’t name just one. They have a lot of cute little games that are addictive and fun. I get a lot of fun out of the Bridge Construction Set. All of them are a good way to kill a few minutes though, and to each their own! And these guys support Linux, so take the time to go buy a game and support them right back!
11. Uplink : Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a hacker? Well, here is a fun game to allow you to be one! You get to hack into major corps networks, but don’t get caught!

So here are a bunch of little games that I either find fun now, or have found fun in the past. All of them are a good time! I recommend any, or all of them! Enjoy!

Ok, so as a fan of the Massively Multiplayer Online Games, I have checked out a lot of them for Linux. I am looking more at the Visually pleasing games, not Muds and other such basic things. So, I will list the MMO Games I am aware of that have an actual Linux client, and work from there. 🙂

1. Runescape : Runs on any platform that supports Java applets. Accounts can be free, or you can pay a subscription fee for additional abilities and content. The social aspect as well as the graphics will probably leave one wanting. Not an altogether bad game unless compared to newer more current commercial offerings. Free to play, but if you pay you get more content.
2. Eternal Lands : Graphics are not to bad. The interface is horrible. The people are nice. I suppose if you took the time to figure out the interface it could be a decent game with everything they have in there. This is a free game.
3. A Tale in the Desert : An interesting social game where there is no fighting. You skill up at things and work together to build a society and create the things you need to do so. I have tried it several times and lose interest everytime after a while just cause it would be nice to go break something or someone now and then. 🙁 Has a free trial, but then you need to pay.
4. Regnum Online : This is probably one of my favorite “standard” MMORPG’s for Linux. It has a nice intuitive interface, decent graphics, and decent content. It still falls short of games like Everquest or World of Warcraft, but hey, they actually took the time to create a Linux Client, so show them some love and maybe things will get even better in an already well done game. The game is basically free, but they y have an interesting Pay for Premium Content business Model that could prove interesting.
5. Vendetta Online : This is a very nice Space MMO game. It has pretty graphics, fairly intuitive interface, and they support pretty much all OSes. Show them some love! In this one, you are a space pilot, doing jobs of some sort and fighting pirates and other players while trying to make some cash. The combat is all “twitch” based or reaction time based, so if you are not high strung with good twitch skills, you may wanna look into doing some trade runs. They have a Free Trial, but if you wanna keep playing, it will cost ya.
6. Planeshift : Planeshift has been in development for a long time. It has improved by leaps and bounds everytime I look at it. The graphics used to be pretty horrid, but looking now they look like they are improving. The interface is not to bad, and new features seem to be getting added, so it should be a solid game as time goes on. It also happens to be free, so might be worth a look. 🙂
7. Second Life : Although not really my thing, I feel like they deserve a mention. Second Life is just that, a second life. You can create all sorts of things, and do all sorts of things in this game. They have a free basic membership, but if you want to own land, you will have to fork out the bucks. Not the standard MMO fair. They have a large number of users, so it might be worth a look.
8. Puzzle Pirates : Never really played this, but some people rave about it. Would love to see some comments on what you think of it. The graphics look pretty limited to me, but this is more about puzzle solving by the looks of it. There is free content, and Premium Content.
9. World Forge : Interesting Free MMORPG Base Project. Not sure how playable anything is, but should be mentioned, and might even be worth a look.

There are of course many Flash type games out there as well that should and could run in Linux. Games such as DragonFable. You can also play many of the MMORPG’s for Windows using Cedega. For help on getting those running in Cedega, your best bet is probably to look at the Cedega Wiki. Good luck!

I have been a fan of Space Games since way back. I used to play a Space Trading and Conquering Game on my fathers TRS-80 Model 4 back in the early 1980’s. There have been a lot of games with the same basics since then, but the graphics sure are better now!

Well, I recently started finding more and more of those types of games for Linux, so thought I would post about them here.. Hope you enjoy them!

1. Wing Commander Privateer Gold : As Grayson Burrows you inherited a small old scout class ship from your grandfather, to start over as a Privateer in a new and sparsely populated sector of the Confederation. Take your chance and become a pirate, merchant or bounty hunter upgrade your ship and experience the hard truth in a border sector where no one has anything to give away… Based off the Vega Strike Engine.
2. Free Orion : an open-source game inspired by Master of Orion, is a turn-based game of epic space strategy that builds on the classic ‘4X‘ model by incorporating the nation-building elements of games such as Europa Universalis 2 and a versatile tactical combat engine. While its modular, open-source design allows for a significant degree of customization of the game engine and the story elements by the community, the FreeOrion team is dedicated to the construction of a living, breathing universe in a ‘grand campaign’ model.
3. X2: The Threat : is of a new generation of space simulator games, you play the role of Julian Gardna who continues the story set by X: Beyond The Frontier. The updated graphics engine gives the universe a fresher feel with newly designed ships and stations adding to the complexity of the universe. You can order it for Linux from Tuxgames!
4. Vega Strike : is an Open Source 3D Action-Space-Sim that lets you trade, fight, and explore in a vast universe. It has been used as the base for several other projects which are all listed on their website. 🙂 Including several of the Privateer and Wing Commander types.
5. Oolite : A simple fly from planet to planet trading and making money and destroying pirates game. Not bad to kill a bit of time.
6. Terminus : Terminus is, at its heart, a space combat simulation. Many of these “space sim” elements are similar to other games, such as the Freespace series. You can pilot a variety of single seat spacecraft, ranging from fighters to gunboats to transports. With these ships at your disposal, you can carry out a wide range of missions or contracts.
7. Vendetta Online : A Great Space MMORPG. As pilots in the Vendetta universe, the progression of the player’s character is up to each individual. The starting Nation affiliation gives the player certain benefits and liabilities that fit the particular culture of that Nation, but this merely serves as a starting point for the character. Very cool Game if you like MMORPG’s in space. 🙂

Some of these are commercial, but have demos, some of them are free, and some of them are ports of popular Windows Games. All of them are fairly fun. 🙂 Post if you have more!

Ok, so I am seeing articles a lot that try to show Linux Gaming has something to offer. They then hold up a dozen first person shooters as proof that Linux Gaming is alive and well. I dunno about everyone else, but I do eventually get sick of playing FPS type games. Give me a nice RTS (Real Time Strategy) Game or a nice Sim of some sort. So I thought I would put a list together of Games that I have found that were a bit different, and lots of fun. And I refuse to fill this list with the standard Arcade style Games.

1. Regnum Online : This is a nicely done MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game.) Many quests already, and more still being added. It is a Kingdom vs Kingdom type of Game. As in, you get big, and then try to take over areas by fighting other players who belong to other Kingdoms. Kinda fun, and adds a new twist. Or an old one if you ever played DAoC. (Dark Age of Camelot) Currently has some slow spots, but is a nice solid game, and has a new and interesting pay for premium content business model. Worth a look if you like MMORPG’s!
2. Majesty Gold : A cool little Kingdom Sim. You are the ruler, you pay your heroes to go out and do things like rescue a princess, or get a book, or go out and kill the evil mage. Decent graphics, although slightly out dated now. Still a lot of fun to play!
3. Knights and Merchants : A RTS(Real Time Strategy) game. Again, like Majesty, you are the ruler of your own Kingdom, this time though, you take direct control of your soldiers. If you ever played games like Dune 2/C&C(Command and Conquer)/Warcraft 2 and enjoyed them, this is probably a good game choice for you. Sadly, the graphics are a bit out dated, but it is still a good game.
4. Alpha Centauri : When the colony ship from Earth reaches Alpha Centauri, the crew, once a united group, have splintered into seven factions. You are the leader of one of these factions as you explore this new world and attempt to gain the upper hand against the other groups. Research new technologies, make alliances, and betray your friends, all whilst defending your territory from those annoying aliens that seem to think they have some right to this planet.
5. Dune Legacy : Lead one of three interplanetary houses, Atreides, Harkonnen or Ordos, in an attempt to harvest the largest amount of spice from the sand dunes. Exchange your spice stockpiles for credits through refinement and build an army capable of thwarting attempts of the other houses to stop your harvesting! This is based off the first ever RTS game as far as I am concerned, and is a good game. I got it running pretty well on Mepis 6.0 just by following their directions on the page I linked to.
6. Penumbra : Overture is a first person adventure game which focuses on story, immersion and puzzles. Instead of using violence to progress the player has to use his/her wits to guide Philip on his quest to unravel the past. Similar in thought and play to Games like Mist. Adventure and solve puzzles.
7. X2 – The Threat : X2 features stunning graphics, beyond anything seen before in the space genre.
   Open ended gameplay allows you to choose your path freely, in a universe that would take you almost 2 days playing time just to fly from one end to the other. Pilot any of over 60 classes of ship ranging from the tiny Argon Discoverer, a one man fighter, all the way to the Teladi Albatross, a huge carrier class ship over 2km long, capable of carrying a squadron of fighters, all at your command. Complex yet intuitive interface allows complete control of your empire. Be it a trading fleet of merchant vessels flying between the factories and stations littering space, or a fighter wing of deadly Split Raptors.
8. Danger from the Deep : A cool Submarine Simulation Game. You are in control of a WWII German Sub. Very cool game, and the graphics are even pretty cool. 🙂 Worth a look!
9. Flight Gear : A cool flight Simulator. Decent graphics, cool game play, good physics. If you are into Flight Sims, this is worth a look!
10. Thunder&Lightning : Thunder&Lightning is a futuristic action flight simulator game that takes place in a large 3D environment. Jump into the pilot seat of your Lightning aircraft and fight against Thunder tanks in a fierce battle for control of the island! In the long run, Thunder&Lightning will incorporate features from the 80’s classics Carrier Command and Midwinter . There will be multiple Islands to conquer, each with its own defense strategy.
11. Neverwinter Nights : is a computer game set in a huge medieval fantasy world of Dungeons and Dragons. This role-playing game (RPG) puts you at the center of an epic tale of faith, war, and betrayal. As a player, you are able to choose what skills and abilities you will develop as you voyage though the complex and dangerous fantasy world of Forgotten Realms. Be a deadly and dangerous Rogue moving through the shadows using stealth and secrecy, be a scholarly Wizard and wield powerful magic against your enemies, be a hulking Barbarian whose lust for battle is matched only by his terrible rage, be an armor-clad Paladin who protects the innocent and vanquishes his foes, be a crusading Cleric who heals the sick and defends the helpless… be all this and more.
12. Tribal Trouble : A bunch of clueless Viking raiders have stranded on a group of tropical islands – much to the annoyance of the local Natives. Help the tribesmen settle their disputes in this fast paced realtime strategy game.
13. Lunar Domination : This looks like a cool finance sim meets RTS, but I have never gotten the demo to run right on Mepis 6.5. So Can not really recommend it.  However, that being said, it looks really cool, so if you can get it to run, let me know!

Those are some of my favorite games that are not FPS types, and not arcade games. Do they make Linux a viable Gaming platform? Maybe not, but they are at least a bridge to get people to start using Linux. The more people we get into Linux, who then buy games to run on Linux, the more chance there is that we will be able to get more great games on Linux! So as I have always said,”Want Games in Linux? BUY GAMES IN LINUX!”

Ok, so a few months back, I noticed a MMORPG on one of the Linux RSS feeds I follow. It is called Regnum Online. It is free, with Premium Content, and it runs natively on Linux and Windows. As a big fan for Linux and MMORPG’s, I of course had to check it out. 🙂 It is a little simple compared to some games out today.. But it is still rather addictive.

As you can see, it is not the highest level graphics ever, however, that being said, it is really a rather cool game. The idea is that you level up on quests, then battle between the 3 kingdoms to own the most castles, towers etc.

Here is the full page.

You can have clans, and parties and all the regular stuff for MMORPG’s… except, they do not have professions. So you can not bake, cook, make potions, or much of anything else like that. It is pretty much an old fashioned Sword & Sorcery type of game. Which is just fine by me. It is also largely played by spanish speaking people as the developers are in Argentina I believe.

I had started out playing it alone, but since a reset where they took the servers live and ended the beta, Emmy and I have been playing together. It is a lot more fun with someone. Emmy and I have been hacking and slashing our way through as a couple of warriors. It is a lot of fun! 🙂 If you care to look us up in the game, we are members of the Syrtis Kingdom, and she is Kilenu, and I am Xirx or Mystak. Have fun all! 🙂 Hope to see you there!