LINUXGAMES

GamersInfo.net conducted a three-partinterview (PartOne, PartTwo, PartThree) with Daniel James and Jon Demos of Three Rings, who developed the massivemultiplayer game Yohoho! PuzzlePirates. The game’s origin, design, and future features are discussed; youcan also read GI’s review of Puzzle Pirates here.

Puzzle Pirates Free Trial Download: [ puzzlepirates.com]

Mistlands (screenshots), an open source online RPG project, recently reached its fourth milestone release. Features now include combat, spellcasting, shopping, and player leveling. There’s also support for GLSL shaders, a new lighting system, environmental effects, and engine optimizations. Moreover, there’s a masterserver application which tracks player-run Mistservers, which users can customize with the included level editor. Mistlands utilizes an in-house engine, ZeroFPS, which Zero Point Gameplay has been developing for about three years.

Mistlands Milestone 4 Download: [ zeropointgameplay.com ]

Phoronix has posted a review of the Acer AL1714CB-8 LCD monitor:

The last time we were engaged to look at an Acer product was when reviewing two Acer AL1715b 17″ LCD displays. Today, Acer is floating around Phoronix again as we take a look at another recent offering, the AL1714CB-8. This 17″ LCD is very similar to that of the AL1715b except it offers a blazing fast 8ms response and other competitive features for the budget consumer.

A reader forwarded a notice stating that the first PyWeek Game Programming Challenge has been scheduled to run from Sunday August 28th to Sunday September 4th. Here are the details:

• Invites all Python programmers to write a game in one week from scratch either as an individual or in a team
• Is intended to be challenging and fun
• Will hopefully increase the public body of python game tools, code and expertise
• Will let a lot of people actually finish a game
• May inspire new projects (with ready made teams!)

Game entries must be developed during the competition, and they also must incorporate a theme announced at the start. Hit the rules page for more info.

Version 0.31 of Stendhal has been released; changes can be found here. Stendhal is a MMORPG developed with the Arianne multiplayer game system. It’s also noted that the combat system may be rebalanced in the near future, and a game manual is available here.

Stendhal 0.31 Download: [ sourceforge.net

A reader pointed out a new site hosting several Linux gaming HOWTOs: Linux Gamer Guide. Currently, there’s documentation on NVIDIA driver, Neverwinter Nights, and Quake 3 installation, as well as various other tips and tricks.

The developers of CodeRED: Alien Arena, a free online deathmatch game (screenshots), let us know that it will be released for Linux in approximately one week. CodeRED is an open source project based on the GPL’ed Quake II source which features standard deathmatch, team deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and an All Out Assault Mode with vehicles. More info:

The Linux port will use the new 4.01 version of the CRX engine, featuring new eye candy such as light blooms, multitexture combine, real-time dynamic vertex lighting, shaders, glass objects, reflective water, textured particle effects and much more. The game features an in-game server browser that queries the master server. Players can play online against each other, or in a tournament against the bots, which feature advanced combat techniques such as dodging and rocket jumping, all in a polished, eerie retro sci-fi atmosphere.

What’s stated as being the final version of Osmose, a Sega Master System emulator, is now available. What’s new:

• Corrected a major bug in paddle control emulation. Woody pop and other now have smooth displacement instead of discret one. European paddle is not emulated. Please use -jap and -paddle option together.
• Modify Osmose to store its files into clean subdirectory, instead of all files into current path. Screenshots are saved into ./screen directory, tiles into ./tiles, sound capture into ./snd and battery backed memory in ./bbr directory.
• Bertram provide new wxOsmose version and debian packages.
• Correct I/O emulation things in IOMapper. This should improve paddle emulation accuracy.

Osmose 0-6-30 Download: [ emu-france.com ]

The TO: Crossfire site was updated to point out a forum post by one of the developers which showcases the shotgun model/skin from their upcoming tactical-themed FPS project, a stand-alone sequel to the Unreal Tournament mod Tactical Ops. The post demonstrates how the weapon model was created and the texture art was applied.

Nexuiz version 1.1 is out; this patch for the open source first-person shooter (screenshots) adds bot support, adjusted default settings for low-end computers, a new level, tweaked gameplay (weapons and player movement), and the usual bugfixes. It’s also noted that the project is accepting donations; moreoever, the team is looking for artists and modelers for their next game – e-mail Lee Vermeulen if interested.

Nexuiz 1.1 Download: [ nexuiz.com ]

The version 1.1 patch has been released for Tribal Trouble by Oddlabs. Tribal Trouble (screenshots) is a real-time strategy game which utilizes the Light Weight Java Game Library and features multiplayer for up to 6 players, variable terrain, and several unit/building types. The new patch includes a singleplayer campaign, a new terrain type, and various other fixes. The retail version can be ordered online here ($24.95 USD).

Tribal Trouble 1.1 Demo Download: [ oddlabs.com ]

The hardware review site Phoronix has posted a new benchmarking article: this one examines the performance of AMD’s Athlon 64 single cores.

As most of you are aware, AMD’s Athlon 64 flagship single core is currently the San Diego, in fact the Athlon 64 FX-57 is based upon the San Diego. The key difference between the San Diego and its Venice counterpart is the amount of L2 Cache. But just how well do these two cores compare clock-for-clock? In this review we will be running two of these CPUs at 2.0, 2.2, and 2.6GHz to see the performance difference between the two AMD cores.

DOOM III is utilized in the comparison.

Forgot to mention this earlier: BioWarehas released a new premiummodule for the Dungeons andDragons RPG (set in the ForgottenRealms) Neverwinter Nights: Pirates of the SwordCoast. Features:

• A dozen hours of gameplay
• Multiple endings
• Single and multiplayer support
• New creatures (sharks!)
• New tilesets (undersea cavern, tropical)

A previous premium module BioWare developed (which is also available forLinux), Kingmaker, wonRoleplayingGame of the Year from the Academy ofInteractive Arts and Sciences.

Screenshots from Pirates of the Sword Coast can be found here;there’s also a wallpaper available.

Neverwinter Nights: Pirates of the Sword Coast Download ($9.99 USD): [ bioware.com ]

Version 0.30 of Stendhal(screenshot),a MMORPG developed with the Arianne open source multiplayergame system, is now available. There’s an onlinemanual available, and here are the requisite release notes:

To get new items you need to buy them from Xin Blanca at thetavern. This release unfortunately doesn’t adds inventory support because weneed a GUI framework to do it. I am actually working on it and hope to have itdesigned in one week so we can write a specification and start coding it. Thisrelease also features a new RP system where weapons have effect in combat, sodon’t forget to wear them. We will really love to read from any problem you mayhave with the game or any suggestion you may have.

Stendhal 0.30 Download: [ sourceforge.net]

Version 3.01 of the award-winningUnreal Tournament 2004modification Strike Force 2004has been released. A (somewhat Windows-centric) guide for new players isavailable; new features:

• 12 multiplayer maps
• 8 characters
• 13 weapon-based classes
• Team Deathmatch gametype

Screenshots from the maps can be seen at their news page; it’s also notedthat two new gametypes and a new inventory system are in development for thenext patch. Moreover, a retail version of Strike Force, Strike Force RedCell, is in production.

Strike Force 3.01 Download: [ strikeforce2004.com ]

Version 3.3. of Red Orchestra (screenshots), the World War II Unreal Tournament 2004 total conversion, has been released. There’s a changelog available, which includes a revised player momentum system, improved bot AI with regards to vehicle operation, rendering optimizations, and various gameplay tweaks.

Red Orchestra 3.3 Download (Patch/Full): [ clanservers.com ]

There’s a new build of the open source racing simulation VDrift (screenshots); new features include:

• elevated tracks
• replay system
• new car
• in-game menus
• improved input handling
• starry sky at night
• more camera modes
• many many bug fixes

The developers recommend that you play with a gamepad, joystick or steering wheel; bugs can be reported in the project’s forums.

VDrift 6-25-2005 Download: [ sourceforge.net ]