Other Commercial Games


You usually can't walk into your local stores to buy commercial Linux games; they are not popular enough yet for most stores to bother stocking the games. To buy commercial Linux games, you can go to the game makers' Web sites. You can also check Amazon.com's listings. Even if you choose not to buy from Amazon, this is a good way to browse a few of the big titles available for Linux. Another great site to check out is Tux Games (see http://www.tuxgames.com/), a small reseller site that specializes in Linux games.

Linux gaming will move forward only through the force of its users. There is a perception in the software industry that Linux users won't pay for good software. Sure, it is true that we enjoy the free availability of so many Linux programs, but most people will pay for quality software. Gamers aren't any different. So, if you are a gamer, let the industry know that there is a demand out there for Linux games. Walk into game stores such as Electronics Boutique and Babbage's, and ask if you can order Linux titles. Patronize a site such as Tux Games. Show the money-minded decision makers that we are out here and will pay a reasonable price for good games on the operating system of our choice.

A Tale in the Desert

Program Info

Program URL

http://www.atitd.com


This game is a MMORPG. I like trying to pronounce that acronym. It's like learning to speak Czechoslovakian. A MMORPG is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game, such as EverQuest, Star Wars Galaxies, and Ultima Online. A Tale in the Desert is an ambitious try at an open source entry into the popular game genre. ATITD places you in ancient Egypt, where you can level up your character with skills and technologies. The game has gotten a lot of good reviews from prominent game magazines. A Tale in the Desert is free, but it's not free. The free part is that you don't have to shell out the initial $50 like you have to with EverQuest and its ilk. The game is free, with a free 24-hour trial period for the servers. After that, there is a subscription price to keep playing.

Railroad Tycoon 2: Gold Edition

Program Info

Program URL

http://www.lokigames.com/products/rt2 (buy at Tux Games, Amazon, or other sites)


A great title that was ported by Loki Software, Railroad Tycoon 2, is dated now but still fun for budding entrepreneurs in the Linux gaming world. You start a railroad company and have to shepherd your small company to become a railroad empire. There are shareholders and market fluctuations to deal with, as well as development and logistical problems. It's fun to get to play a game and have to think at the same time.

Requiem for Loki

Once upon a time, there was a fantastic Linux game company, Loki Entertainment Software (see http://www.lokigames.com/). Loki acquired porting rights from game developers to create Linux versions of popular Windows games. The games usually cost a bit more, but you felt good supporting the effort. Loki games were also easy to install and play. Unfortunately, the company had problems and had to close its doors. If you're a gamer and wish a company like Loki was still around, make noise. Things will happen only if software makers see a demand and an opportunity for profit.


Quake 3 Arena

Program Info

Program URL

http://www.idsoftware.com/games/quake/quake3-arena/ (buy at Tux Games, Amazon, or other sites)


Doom 3 is the latest id Software game to set new graphics and system requirement standards, but Quake 3 Arena was once the game all gamers foamed at the mouth over. You fight in a large arena against other players with no larger aim than to kill the most and be killed the least. Single-player and multiplayer modes are pretty much the same game, with bots replacing online opponents when you move from playing multiplayer to single player. There is no storyline. Game options vary, with lots of weapon choices, capture-the-flag, and death match.

SimCity 3000

Program Info

Program URL

http://www.sc3000.com/ (buy at Tux Games, Amazon, or other sites)


Yes, there is now SimCity 4, but SC 3000 is the one that got ported over to Linux for us by Loki Software a few years ago. I can't tell you how much of my life has been lost to the many versions of SimCity. You are the mayor of a new town and must build up the town from nothing, starting zones for commercial, industrial, and residential construction. You need to give your town adequate utilities and make decisions on taxes, business deals, and disaster response. It might sound mundane until you see that most of us just build giant mayoral mansions and have fun raising taxes on the citizens.



Linux Desktop(c) Garage
Linux(R) Desktop Garage
ISBN: 0131494198
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 141

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