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Friday Means FUN!

May 27, 2011  By Shawn Powers
 in

Today is Friday, and regardless of what Rebecca Black might say, we don't all gotta get down. Some of us just want to play games. If you're under the impression gaming is reserved for Windows users, you are sadly mistaken. Here's a few I like:

Arcade Fun - M.A.R.S.

M.A.R.S. is a silly little game with great graphics and fast gameplay. It's the sort of game you can start playing at the beginning of a commercial break, and be knee deep in fun by the time your show starts again.

M.A.R.S.

M.A.R.S. includes a great tutorial mode for people like me that struggle with games. If you're are an Ubuntu user, M.A.R.S. has a ppa for simple installation. The M.A.R.S. homepage is here.

Strategy - MegaGlest

MegaGlest is based on the game Glest, which is probably not too surprising based on its name. MegaGlest is a 3D realtime strategy game. The gameplay is similar to other RTS games, in that your job is to battle with your opponent to take over the world. Very Linux-minded.

MegaGlest

MegaGlest is simple to install by executing the downloadable installer. It installs into your home directory, so superuser access isn't required. The MegaGlest homepage is here.

First Person Shooter - Alien Arena

I often recommend Open Area to Linux users, because it's open source and lots of fun. I had to mention Alien Arena this time, however, because a FPS with a scifi theme is pretty cool. Like most first person shooter type games, the goal is pretty simple: Blow up the other guy. Alien Arena has some great graphics and excellent maps.

Alien Arena

Installing Alien Arena is a little tougher to install, as it requires you to compile from source. The compilation isn't too terrible, but it's definitely not a click and go endeavor. Here is their website, which offers download options.

While I'm not a "gamer" in the traditional sense, I do enjoy playing computer games occasionally. There is a big misunderstanding in the computer world about Linux having no gaming support. That's just not true. If you'd like me to blog more about Linux gaming options, let me know in the comment section. Oh, and sorry for that Rebecca Black link, but someone sent it to me, and misery loves company!

______________________

Shawn Powers is an Associate Editor for Linux Journal. You might find him chatting on the IRC channel, or Twitter

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Urban Terror

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/17/2011 - 15:37.

If you haven't tried it yet, Urban Terror is a fun team based FPS. It runs on the Quake 3 engine and is a mix between a realistic FPS and an arena style shooter. It doesn't have the eye popping visuals like Alien Arena, but I like the gameplay better.

Beneath a Steel Sky

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 11:05.

For me, finding "Beneath a Steel Sky" in my Synaptic Package Manager a couple of years back was a godsend for my boring, internet-less diggs while I was working in Wales.

I know it's a port of an old game, but it's concept and storyline is just class.

gaming

freds72's picture
Submitted by freds72 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 03:33.

Hi, here are some links to linux gaming.
I don't know what they are like, just found them with google.

http://www.linuxgames.com/

http://www.linuxgamingworld.com/

http://www.linux-gamers.net/

http://www.penguspy.com/#/All/free_and_commercial/open_closed/sort=1/vie...

cheers
fred

Spread the Game-bit Love

Nome's picture
Submitted by Nome (not verified) on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 13:30.

Really cool and informational post. More would be greatly appreciated but this is a great start for someone like myself who is just getting into the gaming aspect of Linux. Thanks and Kudos to the post once again.

More Games plox

ElderSnake's picture
Submitted by ElderSnake (not verified) on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 03:07.

Rebecca Black ruined Friday!!

But in all serious I'd love to see more on Linux gaming. Keep up the good work Shawn :^)

regular feature?

Mozai's picture
Submitted by Mozai on Sun, 05/29/2011 - 10:58.

Seems like every time I find a new Linux forum, the question that will not die is 'what games can I find for Linux?'. The answers that will not die are 'Frozen Bubble', 'Battle for Wesnoth' and 'Tuxracer'. I'm not saying these aren't good games, it's just that after more than seven years of asking the question, these games are the unchanging answers.

Can this be a regular feature? Even if it's just a 1/4 page spotlight... or 1/2 page, with two contrasting games (twich/brain, casual/hardcore, eyecandy/ASCII). Oh god, am I volunteering?

For more games try

Teo's picture
Submitted by Teo (not verified) on Sat, 05/28/2011 - 05:19.

For more games try http://www.penguspy.com/

lol

xMikaeru's picture
Submitted by xMikaeru (not verified) on Sat, 05/28/2011 - 05:16.

hahaha i love your post man, and for me, friday used to be fun, but next week i have exams :(

More casual gaming please :)

R. Steadman's picture
Submitted by R. Steadman (not verified) on Fri, 05/27/2011 - 17:04.

More casual gaming please :)

I'm game! Hah! I would love

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/27/2011 - 16:12.

I'm game! Hah! I would love to know more about the Linux gaming world now that I've completed all the levels of Super Tux.

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