Learning Debian GNU/Linux
By Bill McCarty1st Edition September 1999
1-56592-705-2, Order Number: 7052
360 pages, $34.95 , Includes CD-ROM
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Learning Debian GNU/LinuxBy Bill McCarty1st Edition September 1999 1-56592-705-2, Order Number: 7052 360 pages, $34.95 , Includes CD-ROM |
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9. Playing Linux Games
In the last chapter you learned how to use Linux to help you work; in this chapter you'll learn how to use Linux to help you play. A variety of challenging and exciting games is available for Linux; many of them are free. In addition, you can use WINE to run a variety of commercial games originally written for Microsoft Windows.
9.1 A Survey of Linux Games
Linux includes several popular games. In addition, many Linux games are available on the Web. Table 9.1 lists some of the most popular sites offering Linux games and Table 9.2 describes some of the most popular Linux games. However, you'll find almost every game you could want on the Debian web site, http://www.debian.org/.
Table 9.1: Popular Linux Game Web Sites Web Site
URL
Freshmeat
Linux Game Tome
Linux Games Page
Linux Quake Page
linuxquake.com
Loki Games
Slashdot
Tux Games
Table 9.2: Some Popular Linux Games Game
Type
Description
BZFlag
Action
Multi-player tank battle game.
Civilization: Call To Power
Strategy
A commercial Linux version of the sequel to Micropose's Civilization. Supports network play.
CrossFire
Role Playing
Resembles Rogue. Supports multi-player network play.
DOOM
Action
Classic action game. Requires doom.wad file from licensed copy of game.
Freeciv
Strategy
Resembles Microprose's Civilization. Supports network play.
Illust Logic
Puzzle
A paint-by-numbers puzzle, wherein you strive to paint cells of a canvas.
Koules
Arcade
Multi-player action game. Supports console or X11 play.
NetHack
Role Playing
A quest game resembling Rogue. Supports console or X11 play.
Netrek
Arcade
Multi-player 2-D battle simulation with a Star Trek theme.
PySol
Card
Twenty different versions of solitaire.
Quake
Action
A Linux version of the commercial game Quake. Requires the PAK file from the game CD-ROM diskette. Supports console or X11 play.
Quake II
Action
In the opinion of many, the definitive multi-player 3D action shoot 'em up. Requires license fee. Supports console or X11 play.
Snes9X
Utility
A portable, freeware emulator of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Allows you to run Nintendo64 games on a PC.
Starcraft Linux-installation HOWTO
Document
Describes the procedures for installing and running the commercial game Starcraft on a Linux system using WINE.
XBomber
Arcade
Resembles the classic Bomberman game.
Xmame
Arcade
Emulator for popular arcade games. Requires ROM image from the original game.
XPat2
Card
An assortment of solitaire games.
XShipWars
Action
A graphical MUD (multi-user dungeon) with a space exploration theme.
As you can see, many types of games are available, including action games, arcade games, card games, puzzles, role playing games, and strategy games. Some Linux games can be played from the console; others require X. Many Linux games let multiple players compete at separate computers connected via a network, such as the Internet. Linux games may be freeware, shareware, or commercial software. In addition, Linux software such as Snes9X and WINE lets you play games originally written for systems other than Linux.
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| 8.2 Other Approaches to Desktop Computing |
 | 9.2 Closeups of Some Popular Games |
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