LINUXGAMES

Christopher Robato Yao has written a review of Heavy Gear II for 32BitsOnline: The Best Robot Game comes to Linux. The review covers an overview of the game, the robot simulation genre, DirectX porting, single and multi-palyer gameplay, robot design, and weapons.

Version 0.1.3 of Scorched Earth/Tanks clone XScorch has been released. Changes since 0.1.1 include:

• Bug prevented compiling without sound support, now fixed
• Napalm now has flames
• Pause feature
• Fix crash on startup
• Made Spider weapons avoid potential lockup
• Fixed fatal bug with –geometry, when dimensions given were small
• Sound support is present – see below for comments.
• Minor enhancements to interface
• `Unknown’ AI added
• `Random’ landscape generator and `Random’ sky selection
• `Mass Kill’, in the System Menu, is implemented
• Icon-related code updated

In regards to sound support, the ChanegLog notes:

Sound support is present, but as you’ll quickly notice, there are no sounds yet. Neither of us is particularly musically gifted, so if someone out there is willing to write modules and sound effects, that would be great! The system is currently looking for XM files, although any format playable by libmikmod is fine.

If you’re interested in doing music, I’ve been thinking of splitting it into five parts, prelude, inventory screen, main game, end round, and end game.

XScorch source: xscorch-0.1.3.tar.gz

Version dn9a0530 of the classic console system emulator DarcNES has been released. Changes since dn9a0305 include:

• Fixed the SVGALib, and GTK versions
• Added automatic dependancy support to the Makefile
• Changed a couple headers to compile cleanly with a C++ compiler
• Added support for expansion cards and the language card, and code to load more roms to the Apple ][ emulation
• Added preliminary Apple ][ disk support
• Fixed color on Apple ][ text mode
• Added Apple ][ hires graphics mode
• Added a first approximation of Apple ][ lores graphics mode
• Added a new 6502 core
• Made many improvements/fixes to the emu68k core
• Fixed genesis memory access to mask down to 24 bit addresses
• Fixed Apple ][ space bar key
• Changed most NES mappers to not need to know how large the PRG ROM is
• Cleaned up the NES sprite renderer slightly
• Changed the video interface to not use procpointers

DarcNES source: dn9a0530.tgz

The FreeSCI Sierra Creative Interpreter project has updated their documentation section in preparation for the upcoming 0.3.0 release. This new documentation covers new kernel commands, new debugger functionality, and a description of the FreeSCI implementation of the SCI Parse/Said algorithm.

Games.Linux.com has posted an interview with Loki’s Stephane Peter, lead programmer for the Linux port of SimCity 3000 Unlimited. Among other things, Stephane states that SC3k will likely go gold in “a week or two”; Stephane also gives his programming background, and relates the process by which he joined up with Loki.

Markus F.X.J. Oberhumer wrote in to announce the release of PySol version 4.41, a collection of hundreds of various solitaire card games; this version implements 5 new games. PySol requires Python 1.52 to run, which can be downloaded from here.

PySol 4.41 Package:
http://wildsau.idv.uni-linz.ac.at/mfx/download/pysol/pysol-4.41.tar.gz

Rene Reucher sent in the following update concerning Voodoo 4/5 support under Linux:

Although not officially supported by 3dfx, there IS already a workingVoodoo 4 & 5 2D-only driver for XFree86 4.0 in the tdfx-2-0-branch (3Daccelleration should follow in a few weeks); this I have been told byDaryll Strauss when I asked for V5 support on the dri-devel mailing listabout a month ago. See http://dri.sourceforge.net/cvs.html for moreinformation…

Ant wrote in to point out a Computer Games Online news post that gives a shipping date of today for the Linux version of Soldier of Fortune, which seems rather unlikely given that at last report SoF is still in beta testing (I’m ignoring the schizophrenic claim that SC3KU is “available now” when it’s stated only a line before that it “is gettingcloser to complettion[sic]“). In any case, it shouldn’t be too long before both of these titles begin shipping; you can pre-order from Loki here.

Kyle Albert, President and CEO of Three Axis, wrote in asking us to let everyone know that they have two openings for full-time programmers right now. Accepting a job would not require relocation to Colorado Springs, but it would be nice. Here are the specifics:

Description: Candidates will play a key role in the design, development and implementation of porting existing Windows programs to Linux. You will be responsible for the optimizing and re-architecture of code, developing tools, and porting source code from Windows to Linux. You should have Linux/UNIX system knowledge and a solid understanding of C++ and object oriented programming techniques. You must be willing to jump in and learn new and untested technologies, and must work well in an unsupervised environment within a small, tightly knit team.

Required Skills:

Fluent in C/C++, Object Oriented Design

3D programming in either OpenGL or Direct3D

Linux/Unix programming skills

Excellent communication skills

Desired Skills:

Working knowledge of X Windows

Avid Interest in games and game programming

Application level network programming (TCP/IP, UDP)

Cross platform development between Win32 and Linux

Versions 2.22 and 3.31a of the OpenGUI graphics library have been released. Changes in version 2.22, the stable series, are:

• some minor improvements
• fixed bug in ~Window()

Changes in version 2.31a, the development series, include:

• added feature – Alpha Blending
• removed absolete methods:
• added int DrawBuffer::set_clip_rect(x,y,width,height);
• class FGShape removed with class DrawBuffer (as parents of the all)
• added DrawBuffer::clip(int xs, int ys, int ws, int hs);
• added DrawBuffer::clip(int xs, int ys, int ws, int hs, int xmin, int ymin, int xmax, int ymax);
• added DrawBuffer::bitblit(int xdst, int ydst, int xsrc, int ysrc, int width, int height, DrawBuffer *src, int);
• added struct FGRect { short x,y; unsigned short w,h; };
• compile switch changed: -ggdb -> -g for smallest code results
• added mtrr code to all linux makefiles
• many other cleanups, re-implementations etc.
• fixed bug in ~Window();

OpenGUI downloads:
2.21 source: STABLE.TGZ
2.31a source: OpenGUI.tgz

Gamer.nl has posted an interview with Scott Draeker, founder and president of Loki. The interview covers development systems, software, and staff, SDL, Indrema and the upcoming Linux-powered console, XFree, and GPL games.

Neil Halelamien sent in a release announcement for ClanMecha 0.1.3, a ClanLib-based 2D platform shooter. Changes:

• Revamped collision detection (again) by adding a DisplacementGrid,resulting in a fairly large performance boost
• Slowed down the minimum frame time to compensate for the performanceboost resulting from the DisplacementGrid
• Altered the SunderBlast to make only one sound at a time instead ofmultiple; hopefully this will prevent some crashes
• Added a maximum mech velocity
• Altered mech animation to make it actually stop when it should stop

Neil also states that he’s looking for additional developers to aid him with the project; if interested, e-mail him at fleaplus@users.sourceforge.net.

ClanMecha 0.1.3 Source:
http://sourceforge.net/project/filelist.php?group_id=929

• Rust has posted a screenshot of Linux Q3Radiant, the Q3A level editor recently released with Loki’s port of the Q3SDK.
• PlanetQ3F has launched; the site will be devoted to providing news, files, reviews, and tactics for Q3F, the team class-based mod for Quake 3: Arena.
• Alain le Sage sent in a link to his HOWTO regarding the installation and configuration of NVIDIA’s drivers under Linux, including a list of common issues (and solutions) that may be encountered.
• Erik Johansson sent in a transcription of relevant quotes from Tony Tamasi’s (of NVIDIA) audio interview withPlanet GeForce:
  

  “The entire driver architecture has been ported to linux.”

  “We can’t really OpenSource it in a traditional sence, because weco-developed it with SGI and VA-Linux, this is real OpenGL and notfakeGL [...] there’s intellectual property that’s not ours, that wecan’t OpenSource.”

  “The reason you OpenSource the drivers are that you aren’t reallygoing to the drivers yourself.”

  “98% of the [the driver] code is the same [on Windows and Linux] [...]that’s why we can afford supporting Linux.”

• Patrick Mullen of The Duke of URL sent in a link to his Elsa Gladiac-GeForce 2 GTS Review which includes Linux benchmarks for the recently released 3D card.

• PC.IGN.com has posted previews of two RPG’s being developed for Linux: Neverwinter Nights, being developed by Bioware, and Anarchy Online, the sci-fi MMORPG being created by Funcom.
• Anarchy Online Lead Designer Tommy Strand has also posted a new Developer Journal entry at AO Vault, in which he discusses attempting to accomodate various styles of play in one game world.

Sergey Makovkin has released version 0.4 of csDoom, a Doom source port which adds open client/server support (i.e. clients do not all have to start a game at the same time). Sergey states that the only the server source will be available initially, and that the full source tree (including the client) will be available upon the release of version 1.0 (unfortunately, I’m not familiar enough with the GPL’s terms and conditions to state whether or not this is a valid schedule).

csDoom 0.4 Server Source:
http://download.sourceforge.net/csdoom/doomsv-0.4-src.tar.gz

csDoom 0.4 Linux Client:
http://download.sourceforge.net/csdoom/csdoom-linux.tar.gz

The May 26th snapshot of WINE, the open implementation of various Windows APIs, has been released. The full changelog can be read here; Geoff Simmons wrote in to point out that among the listed changes for this release is the entry:

Added support for OpenGL

The WINE project allows several Win32 game titles to run under Linux that haven’t already been ported, some of which can be seen here (everyone spam Alkini so that he’ll update the thing ;)).

Wine 20000526 Source:
http://metalab.unc.edu/pub/Linux/ALPHA/wine/development/Wine-20000526.tar.gz

The Loki Portal Page’s MaCaBrE wrote in noting that he’s posted three screenshots from the beta version of Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri at his personal site (http://www.utter-macabre.com/).

Furthermore, Loki’s Andrew Henderson sent in a screenshot of the design workshop, a SMAC innovation where the player can create new units utilizing a diverse range of technology:

Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri – Design Workshop

Finally, I’ve taken the liberty of posting two additional shots of my fledgling colony:

• Carving out territory
• Skirmish victory

• 3dfx has announced (thanks sCary) that the Voodoo 5 AGP cards which have already shipped are to be recalled for examination due to reports of a possible flaw. 3dfx has previously stated that the V5 Linux drivers will be available approximately one month after initial shipping.

• Mark Allan sent in a link to an audio interview with NVIDIA’s Tony Tamasi, which includes clarification on why NVIDIA has chosen not to persue open Linux drivers.
• Indrema issued a press release stating that their Linux-based console system will utilize a NVIDIA GPU for 3D graphics processing.
• Zander wrote in requesting help in maintaining the Newbie Linux 3D Project; if interested, e-mail him at zander@isn.net
• John Carmack updated his .plan last week to comment on the summer blitz of offerings from 3D card manufacturers, including commentary on each company’s marketing claims and how they apply to real-world performance.
• evil3D.net has posted Q3A benchmarks under Linux which include statistics for the VisionTek GeForce2 GTS (thanks Games.Linux.com).

The version 2.5.0 release of ZAngband, a Rogue-like RPG, has been announced. The rather extensive changelog can be perused here; the source itself is available in zip format from

ftp://export.andrew.cmu.edu/angband/Variant/zangband-250-src.zip

riptide has released version 0.3-5 of X11spy, a FPS multiplayer server browser tool. Changes:

• Game Rules
• a toolbar
• a right click menu.
• Fixed: Game launching had problems with the mouse.
• Fixed a few segfaults lurking in the code.
• Rewrote my file storage technique.
• Rewrote my qstat parsing technique.

X11spy 0.3-5 Source:
http://www.linux3d.net/x11spy/files/x11spy-0.3-5.tar.gz