5 Great Linux Games
Spring – (Linux, Windows) If you’re looking forward to 2008 rather than backward to 2007, then look to Spring (also known as TA Spring or Total Annihilation: Spring) as the open source game of the year. TA Spring currently can execute most of Total Annihilation’s original gameplay flawlessly with its original units in their original format. Large battles are limited only by your computer’s power, with support for up to 5,000 units. You’ll wage those battles on large, highly detailed 3D maps with camera modes that allow you to view the battle scene from almost any angle. Games are played using one of a number of mods. Price: The core game is released under GPL License. Fortunately as of now, there are also two mods which have been released under the GNU/GPL, and several more which do not have clear licence terms (owned by their modder). However, there are also several mods for which some parts are still under copyright of Atari. For these you need to own the original TA game if you want to play.Download.
Tremulous – (Linux, Windows, Mac) This is a free open source team-based first-person shooter (FPS) with a game play similar to Gloom for Quake 2. NS. Tremulous features a two team FPS, humans and aliens, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Players on both teams are able to build working structures in-game RTS elements. The overall objective behind Tremulous is to eliminate the opposing team. This is achieved by not only killing the opposing players but also removing their ability to respawn by destroying their spawn structures. The game has been downloaded over 200,000 times. It was voted “Player’s Choice Standalone Game of the Year” in Mod Database’s “Mod of the Year” 2006 competitio, and it placed fifth in the annual Moddb.com competition among Indie games in 2007. This, despite the fact that a new version hasn’t been released since early 2006. Price: Free.Download (Linux, Windows) Download (Mac).
FreeCiv – (Linux, Windows, Mac) The open source game FreeCiv begins in prehistory where your mission is to lead your tribe from the stone age to the space age. This game is similar to the popular PC Civilization series created by Sid Meier. Freeciv is a turn-based multiplayer strategy game, in which each player becomes the leader of a civilization that fights to become the greatest civilization in history. Your goal is to build cities, collect resources, organize your government, and build an army. This is probably one of the most addictive and widely acclaimed open source empire-building strategy games around. The game supports three rulesets, an almost mind-numbing array of features, tweaks, and options, along with a set of unofficial options that will keep you busy for the rest of your life. The game is so popular that it’s been translated into twenty-nine different languages. Freeciv supports up to 30 players and LAN/Internet play. Price: Free. Download.
Nexuiz – (Linux, Windows, Mac) Nexuiz has been in development for close to 5 years by a team of amateur developers called Alientrap, lead by Lee Vermeulen. Their goal is to create fun action games that remain free, yet that compete with commercial game titles. Nexuiz is a 3d deathmatch game made entirely over the internet. The purpose of the game is to bring deathmatch back to the basics, with perfect weapon balancing and fast paced action, keeping itself away from the current trend of realistic shooters. It uses HFX textures by Evil Lair, and currently has 27 maps to frag in. With an advanced UI, the user can select between 15 different player models to use, with an average of two skins for each, and can connect to a master server to play people from all over the world. This game is an open source, cross platform, first person shooter. The current version, 2.2.3, was released in January 2007. Price: Free. Download.
Alien Arena – (Linux, Windows) Alien Arena’s real-time turn-based strategy action has been frantic, fast, and fun. The game contained a single player campaign, but the multi-player action was outstanding. Why are we speaking in the past tense? Because gamers now can enjoy version 6.10 of Alien Arena, with major changes, enhancements, and surprises. Alien Action first was released in October, 2004. Since that initial release, nearly every aspect of the game has been revamped. It’s like an entirely new game. The newest version includes seven brand new arenas with sound, a more balanced and responsive weapon set (including a new weapon – the Violator!), and the ability to 1-to-1 through a duel mode. Input and netcode are improved, resulting in fluid gameplay even at 150+ pings. Last, but not least, CURL is implemented, allowing for much faster map and content downloads. Price: Free. Download (If you already have Alien Arena 2007, you will need to install version 6.10 over top of your existing installation in order to patch it.)
