LINUXGAMES

Version 1.1.0 of Tremulous, a team-based multiplayer first-person shooter with real-time strategy game elements, has been released. Tremulous began as a modification for Quake 3: Arena, but as of this release is now a stand-alone project utilizing the GPL’ed Q3A source (specifically, the ioq3 source tree).

A quick-start guide and manual are available online. The dev team has also produced a trailer to showcase Tremulous’ gameplay, which was inspired by the Quake 2 mod Gloom (High Quality | Low Quality).

Screenshots: [ View ] Download: [ Tremulous 1.1.0 ]

DOSBox version 0.65 has beenreleased; the game-oriented project emulates an Intel x86 PCforrunning DOSapplications. Changes include:

• 4/15/16/32bpp VESA mode support
• Lot’s of fixes for better vga compatibility
• Improved CGA composite output
• Added video capturing to avi
• Improved screen updating for more speed
• PCjr machine mode added
• Speedup cpu cores and fix endian issues
• FPU core speedup with assembly
• Improved keyboard and bios handling
• Lockfree mouse mode added again
• Improved builtin dos with umbs and better fat support
• Added VCPI emulation and fixed some issues with ems
• Improved support for booter games
• Modem and IPX support improved for multiplayer

There’s also a game compatibilitylist.

Download: [ DOSBox0.65 ]

Version 0.5.4 of FakeNES, aNintendoEntertainment System emulator utilizing the Allegro library, is now available. This is awork-in-progress release and considered less table than 0.3.1. Changes:

• Switched to zlib/libpng license.
• Cleaned up input configuration dialog a bit.
• Added ability to calibrate joystick devices.
• Added Blargg’s ‘nes_ntsc’ as a selectable blitter (palettes are notsupported).
• Removed support for image offset/zooming (as these features were neverused anyway).
• Renamed ‘light_adjustment’ to ‘brightness’ and changed it’s absolute rangefrom 63 to 100.

Download: [ FakeNES0.5.4 ]

plastk:net has updated their coverage of the multi-screened Quake 3: Arena setup at Virginia Tech we mentioned previously with 2 videos of gameplay. It’s also noted that they are now using a gyroscopic mouse for input. Twelve Linux servers render the game with the aid of Chromium and Distributed Multihead X.

Of note for game developers: CNET is reportingthat Sun Microsystems was at theGame Developers Conference to promoteProject Darkstar, which aims to simplify cross-platform game development. Among Darkstar’s efforts is the Sun Game Server, their Java-based “game agnostic, platformagnostic server technology” intended for use in massive multiplayer gameprojects. An early access release of SGS has been made available, along withAPI documentation.

Sun Game Server Downloads: [ java.net ]

The stable source tree for the ubiquitous Linux kernel is now at version 2.6.16.1(changelog);a more comprehensive list of changes in 2.6.16 can be found at the KernelNewbies Wiki. Ofnote gaming-wise is official support for the Cell processor, the CPU utilizedby the PlayStation3.

As always, you can probably upgrade via your distribution’s package management utilities;for those that don’t, the source code is available @kernel.org.

Recently, version 1.0.6 of the glider simulation Silent Wings was released after a long testing time, introducing the promised online multiplayer mode with a choice of servers, showing the current activity.
Other changes are:

• Ingame chat, press Enter to open it.
• Turbulence. The turbulence model is modeled so that you can find it where you would expect it in real life, i.e on the lee side of ridges, in wind shears, etc.
• In-flight help screen with a list of all keyboard commands (press ‘h’ to enable/disable).
• Output of movie files. You can now record your flying directly to MPEG1/2 or DivX. (Enable movie capture on the config page, and press ALT-R in flight to toggle recording).
• Improved thermal algorithms. Thermals will now follow ridge lines and release near the top.
• Improved performance: No more pauses while loading data. Better fps, especially on windows platform.
• Keyboard commands to steer the tow plane left or right (Y and U) during aerotows.
• Screen shot button (ALT+P). Images are saved in the Silent Wings folder.
• Improved in-flight waypoint menu (CTRL+D and ALT+D).
• Some cleanup of the launcher GUI, especially the configuration setup and main menu.
• Improved menus and GUI elements in the simulator.
• Some tuning of the flight models, especially the Ventus.

In the meantime two new flight models were released fo’ free. And while other scenery is offered likewise, another detailed scenery of the south east part of Norway (where the developers reside) was released for 49€.

Silent Wings and the new scenery are shareware and thus both playable for the famous “two weeks” before payment is necessary. Instead of downloading the many GBs of data, you can now order the game media itself for 9€ (including S&H) on DVD.

Download: [ Everything Silent Wings ]

The version 1.1 point release of Quake 4 has been released by id Software and Raven Software. Fixes and changes in this release:

• fixed pure server system
• new AddonPak autodownloading system
• forcemodel option
• brightskins
• smooth stairjumping
• one-minute warning for tournament matches
• various multiplayer fixes
• Quakemas maps

Additionally, there are 4 new maps (screenshots below):

Outpatient (q4dm10)
Cold, blood-stained hallways and flickering fluorescent lights set the mood in this once active Strogg medical complex. The heart-pounding pace of this map will keep players racing through the winding corridors, but only the quickest will survive. In addition to traditional DM, Outpatient can also be played in Team Deathmatch and Tourney modes.

Skeleton Crew (q4dm11)
The dark empty void that surrounds this stranded space station offers no pity for those lost in battle. This multi level arena generates fast paced action that commands the attention of players in all skill levels. Expert navigation of the twists and turns that lead from deck to deck will be your only ally. Engage your foes in Deathmatch or Team Deathmatch games. As an added challenge you can also battle it out 1v1 style in Tourney mode.

Mind the Gap (q5ctf6)
This massive processing factory uses alien technology to mine from the core of Stroggos itself — be sure to Mind The Gap in each base which only leads to an inescapable abyss and your death. This multi-tiered structure defies description and will leave only the heartiest and most cunning soldiers as the victors! Contest your team’s supremacy in CTF or Arena CTF modes.

Double Edged (q4ctf8)
Double Edged revisits the Quake II(tm) classic… with a twist – Capture the Flag! The battle arena has been doubled so brush up on your long range weapon skills, but don’t fret if your Rail isn’t exactly “impressive”. You’ll also find some tight corridors for those of you more comfortable with in-your-face combat. Destined to be a classic in its own right, settle those team grudge matches in this remix of a classic in CTF or Arena CTF battle.




Also, this release has brought us a new version of the SDK for mod-makers. More info on this point release can be found in the README.

Quake 4 1.1 Download: Patch has been pulled pending resolution of a Windows version issue.

S2 Games has issued apress releaseannouncing that Savage 2: A TorturedSoul will be offered online for free with tutorial, singleplayer practice (vs. an AI player), and LAN multiplayer game mode support. Internet multiplayer and persistent character statistics can then be enabled for $29.99 US.

Full Linux support at launch was also recentlyannounced.

Edit: rephrased this post a bit for clarity.

Version 1.5.3 of the space combat MMORPG Vendetta Online(screenshots)has been released forsubscribers. Changes:

• fixed /guild vote command
• quotes and semicolons are no longer removed from chat msgs
• HUD should be hidden when charinfo window comes up
• fixed problem with station rendering being reenabled when res/fontsizechanges
• disabled wordwrapping with cargo quantity in HUD addon element
• forced player select menu to have 66% height
• fixed /duel rating command
• fixed /verbose when run with no args
• fixed misc lua errors
• precache some textures/objects mostly fx textures and explosion bits
• fixed crash with combo boxes

The news page alsodiscusses plans for the next updates, such as economic and factionimprovements.

The first release of GalaxyMage that contains multiplayer support has been announced. This open-source tactical/strategic RPG is looking for help so if you have a few free cycles, lend them a hand.

Download: [ GalaxyMage 0.3.0 ]

It’s been a while since we’ve pointed out the Tremulous project. While thecurrent release isa modification for Quake III: Arena,the next release is transitioning to a stand-alone game due to the Q3A sourcerelease. The game itself is a team-deathmatch mod with RTS elementspitting humans versus aliens.

The most recent page update discusses efforts to balance gameplay, theinclusion of features from ioq3, andthe addition of a scriptable trail system and tutorial mode. Version 1.1.0 isin testing and should be released in the near-term.

Screenshots: [ screenshots ]

Sparklet, a 2D, top-down view space shooter, has been updated to a new release which has the following changes:

• Minor bugfixes
• Playability improvements.
• New map
• 5 new sounds.
• Bugfixes in the underlying libraries

Download: [ Sparklet 0.9.3. ]

Version 0.47 of Stendhal has been released. Stendhal is a multiplayer online adventures game developed using the Arianne game development system.Changes include the following:

• Add some new features including doors and keys,
• Added two new big game areas: Wofol, the kobold’s city that is suitable for team play of players around level 10-20 and N’mon, the lich fortress under the Orril castle, that is only for the most brave players.

Download: [ Stendhal 0.47 ]

Enemy Lines 7 0.5
Enemy Lines 7 is a singleplayer first-person 3D shooter. Shoot down enemy bombers threatening your city.
Screenshots [ View ] Download [ Enemy Lines 0.5 ]

Kye 0.6.1
A clone of the classic puzzle game Kye to Linux.
Screenshots [ View ] Download [ Kye 0.6.1 ]

SDLHana 0.32
A SDL-based Hanafuda game.
Screenshots [ View ] Download [ SDLHana 0.32 ]

Sepp - Sliding Evil-Piece Puzzle 03/24/2006
Sepp, the Sliding Evil-Piece Puzzle, implements a computer version of the classic sliding puzzle game, which has 15 sliding tiles in a 4-by-4 matrix and is also known as the 15 puzzle, in which the properly ordered tiles would form a picture.
Screenshots [ View ] Download [ Sepp 03/24/2006 ]

Versus 0.2
Versus is a game in which two plain triangles try to kill each other by shooting one another.
Download [ Versus 0.2 ]

Wah!Cade 0.9.1
Wah!Cade is a front end for the M.A.M.E. arcade game emulator, and has been designed with arcade cabinet controls & projects in mind.
Screenshots [ View ] Download [ Wah!Cade 0.9.1 ]

The hardware review site Phoronix has discovered a new revision of NVIDIA’s Linux graphics driver in an unusual place:

When continuing our investigation for a recent article, it was found that Hewlett-Packard is hosting a NVIDIA Linux display driver that is numbered 1.0-8183. The interesting part about this is that the latest drivers available from NVIDIA’s official site are 1.0-8178, which was released toward the end of last year. If you had read our other related articles, you will also know that we have been testing the 1.0-8751 Beta display drivers for most of this month now, and NVIDIA is not expected to release a new set until early April. What is inside the drivers that are entitled 8183 Revision 1? What are the details involved? We have a small report today on these findings, as well as a download.

The driver description notes that it is an incremental update for Hewlett-Packard computers only, specifically the xw4200, xw4300, xw6200, xw8200, and xw9300 workstations.

S2 Games has issued a press release for the Linux gaming community:

ROHNERT PARK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 15, 2006–Independent Game Developer S2 Games announced today that it will be supporting the Linux® community by offering Native Linux Client support at launch for its upcoming triple-A title, Savage 2: A Tortured Soul. Savage 2 is the much anticipated sequel to Savage: The Battle for Newerth and will be available in Fall of 2006 as a digital download from the S2 Website.

In order to facilitate the use of a Linux Client at launch, the S2 Games team is working diligently to convert their DirectX® K2 engine, a next-gen game engine built from the ground up specifically for Savage 2, to that of Linux’s OpenGL system. The conversion is a necessity as the high-end renderer (DirectX) in the new engine is a Microsoft® product and does not work with Linux. With help from the Linux community and two of Savage’s top enthusiasts — Uttar and WhiteDwarf — S2 is converting the DirectX renderer, one of the more impressive aspects of the game engine, as the effort will enable Linux gamers to utilize their Linux Client when playing the game.

“We received tremendous support from the Linux community for our first title, Savage: The Battle for Newerth,” said Marc DeForest, co-founder and lead designer of S2 Games. “As an independent developer that tends to buck tradition and do things our own way, we feel a strong commonality with the Linux community, and we’re looking forward to supporting them again this round.”

Linux support is also prominently featured on the game’s homepage by way of a Tux icon :)

You can pre-orderSavage 2 for $29.99 US; however, please note that S2 Games’ Marc DeForest mentioned on their forums that the beta testing offer applies to the Windows version:

I don’t believe we will have a full beta process for the Linux version. We are currently porting the base code and engine. We will go through the entire play balancing and bug fixing problems with the Windows version and make a final port and testing before launch. The Linux client and Windows client will launch simultaneously.

Phoronix has posted an update on NVIDIA’s upcoming Linux graphics driver revision:

Up to this point there has been very little official information from NVIDIA in regards to their upcoming Linux/Solaris/FreeBSD drivers. Luckily, we have had the privilege from NVIDIA to share our acquired information a bit early in regards to these upcoming drivers, and a few NVIDIA Linux developers frequently post some information on the NvNews forums. We have also had the luxury of handling the Beta 1.0-8751 drivers and deliver its results on multiple occasions. We continually post new information at Phoronix as it is discovered from our in-house investigations with these drivers, as well as tapping additional information from our various sources. We have more information to share today as well as pertaining to the now early April release.

A new development release of Battle for Wesnoth, 1.1.2, has been released to the general public. The rather extensive changelog has the complete list of fixes for this development release. Please report bugs as you find them to their development team.

Screenshots: [ View] Download: [ Battle for Wesnoth 1.1.2 ]

We have posted 5 trailers of DropTeam for your viewing pleasure. As previously mentioned, there is a playable Multiplayer Test Demo available.