Most users may not know that Linux is a good platform for gaming. There are several advantages in using Linux for games. It doesn’t hog system resources. There is lot of variety; a Google search will demonstrate that. Most of these games are free.
The Linux games are usually open source with GPU GPL which means that if you are a developer you can tweak them using source code to make them even better! Though there are scores of games out there and a few of them have been sampled below. This is just a start.
Battle for Wesnoth:
This is a cross platform game and is available for Linux, Windows, BeOS, Mac OS X and FreeBSD. It is a fantasy game. The game is built on 6 different factions or races. Each faction has plusses and minuses. There are several campaign missions and you can download more as well. Three levels of difficulty are built into the game. The graphics are crisp and very colourful. Sound is alright. The game is played on a hexgrid which essentially means your fighters can move in different ways. The game is open source and GPU GPL.
Wesnoth campaigns span single player and multi-player matches. There are 6 factions: Rebels, Knalgan Alliance, Loyalists, Northerners, Undead and Drakes. The factions compose of elves, dwarves, human cavalry, mages, orcs, goblins, trolls, nagas and dragons. Depending on the terrain and the time of day, the strengths and weaknesses of the factions vary. Their weapons also add to the strategy and consist of pierce, blade, impact, arcane, cold and fire. The factions are also capable of different types of attacks – melee and ranged.
Armagetron Advanced:
A good example of killer game play is Armagetron or more popularly known as Tron. Though graphics and sound are not great, the resolutions are good. The game delivers simplicity and plain fun very well. It is played on a massive grid. The characters are all on speed bikes that leave light trails. Of course, the light trails solidify and transform into walls. The players need to ensure that they don’t run into the walls that have been created by the light trails. You can play this game in various modes viz., local, LAN and online play. The game is open source and GPU GPL.
Tron is a multiplayer 3D game that is based on light cycles. The setting is on a grid arena where two or more players combat each other on dual wheeled motor cycles that leave colourful light trails which solidify into walls. Contact with these light trails or the arena walls will result in death and elimination from the game. The key in gaining an edge in the game is to “box” the other players so that they are eliminated. Players can turn in different directions like 45 degrees, 90 degrees or 180 degrees. Interestingly, the walls or colour trails act like magnets which means that if a player is close to a trail, their light cycle will move even faster. There are ‘V’ brakes or speed brakes depending on servers.
Americas Army:
This game has an interesting history. This was originally a tool by the USA Government to train potential army recruits. However, it went beyond their expectations and exploded into a very popular game. This is a free game. The theme is serious; however that is expected considering the goals of the game. The graphics are great with good sound. The game is all about the user who is pitted against the terrorist. There is lot of realism in how the game is designed along with strategy that needs to be adopted in playing it. This game is not open source.
America’s Army game was originally designed as a recruitment tool so that the public can experience virtual soldiers. It was meant to train and educate prospective soldiers while continuing to be engaging, entertaining and informative. The game is tactical shooter game which is team and round based. The players simulate the role of soldiers in the U.S Army. The game is very realistic and even has optional medical training designed to equip potential soldiers with the role of combat lifesaver as well. Simulations are also provided where players learn how to use weaponry and be part of airborne missions.
There are many more games in the Linux world that open source with a GPU GPL and free to boot. You can also try out Frozen Bubble, KMahjongg, Cube, Pingus, Never Ball, Nexuiz and Enemy Territory. Each one of them has its list of USPs and you may find them exciting discoveries to add to your gaming list.