Video games and Linux explained

Linux-based operating systems can be used for playing video games. Because many games are not natively supported for the Linux kernel, various software has been made to run Windows games, software, and programs, such as Wine, Cedega, DXVK, and Proton, and managers such as Lutris and PlayOnLinux. The Linux gaming community has a presence on the internet with users who attempt to run games that are not officially supported on Linux.

History

Linux gaming started largely as an extension of the already present Unix gaming scene,[1] which dates back to that system's conception in 1969 with the game Space Travel[2] [3] and the first edition in 1971,[4] with both systems sharing many similar titles.[5] These games were mostly either arcade and parlour type games or text adventures using libraries like curses.[6] [7] A notable example of this are the "BSD Games", a collection of interactive fiction and other text-mode amusements.[8] [9] The free software philosophy and open source methodology which drove the development of the operating system in general also spawned the creation of various early free games.[10] [11]

Popular early titles included Netrek and the various XAsteroids, XBattle, XBill, XBoing, X-Bomber, XConq, XDigger, XEmeraldia, XEvil, XGalaga, XGammon, XLander, XLife, XMahjong, XMine, XSoldier, XPilot, XRobots, XRubiks, XShogi, XScavenger, XTris, XTron, XTic and XTux games using the X Window System.[12] [13] Other games targeted or also supported the SVGAlib library allowing them to run without a windowing system,[14] such as LinCity, Maelstrom, Sasteroids,[15] and SABRE.[16] The General Graphics Interface was also utilized[17] for games like U.R.B.A.N The Cyborg Project[18] and Dave Gnukem[19] ported from MS-DOS. As the operating system itself grew and expanded, the amount of free and open-source games also increased in scale and complexity, with both clones of historically popular releases beginning with BZFlag, LinCity, and FreeCiv,[20] as well as original creations such as Rocks'n'Diamonds, Cube, The Battle for Wesnoth, and Tux Racer.[21]

1994–1997

The beginning of Linux as a gaming platform for commercial video games is widely credited to have begun in 1994 when Dave D. Taylor ported the game Doom to Linux, as well as many other systems, during his spare time.[22] [23] Shareware copies of the game were included on various Linux discs,[24] including those packed in with reference books.[25] [26] [27] From there Taylor would also help found the development studio Crack dot Com, which released the video game Abuse,[28] with the game's Linux port even being distributed by Linux vendors Red Hat[29] and Caldera.[30] The studio's never finished Golgotha was also slated to be released by Red Hat in box.[31] Ancient Domains of Mystery was also released for Linux in 1994 by Thomas Biskup, building on the roguelike legacy of games such as Moria and its descendent Angband, but more specifically Hack and NetHack.

id Software, the original developers of Doom, also continued to release their products for Linux. Their game Quake was ported to Linux via X11 in 1996, once again by Dave D. Taylor working in his free time.[32] [33] An SVGALib version was also later produced by Greg Alexander in 1997 using recently leaked source code, but was later mainlined by id.[34] Later id products continued to be ported by Zoid Kirsch[35] and Timothee Besset,[36] a practice that continued until the studio's acquisition by ZeniMax Media in 2009.[37] The ports of Quake and Quake II were released physically by Macmillan Computer Publishing USA,[38] while Quake III was released for Linux by Loki Software.[39] Red Hat had previously passed on publishing Quake for Linux, since it was not open-source at the time.[40]

In 1991 DUX Software contracted Don Hopkins to port SimCity to Unix,[41] which he later ported to Linux and eventually released as open source for the OLPC XO Laptop.[42] Other early commercial Linux games included Hopkins FBI, an adventure game released in 1998 by MP Entertainment,[43] and Inner Worlds in 1996, which was released for and developed on Linux.[44] In 1998, two programmers from Origin ported Ultima Online to Linux.[45] The UNIX Book of Games, a 1996 publication by Janice Winsor, described various games with an accompanying CD-ROM containing executables and source code for Linux and SCO Unix.[46]

A website called The Linux Game Tome, also known as HappyPenguin after its URL, was begun by Tessa Lau in 1995 to catalogue games created for or ported to Linux from the SunSITE game directories as well as other classic X11 games for a collection of just over 100 titles.[47] It was taken over by Bob Zimbinski in 1998 eventually growing to over 2000 entries, sponsored by retailer Penguin Computing and later LGP until it went down in 2013, although mirrors still exist.[48] [49]

1998–2002

The site LinuxGames covered news and commentary from November 1998 until its host Atomicgamer went down in 2015.[50] [51] It was established by Marvin Malkowski, head of the Telefragged gaming network, alongside Al Koskelin and Dustin Reyes;[52] Reyes passed away August 8, 2023.[53]

On November 9, 1998, a new software firm called Loki Software was founded by Scott Draeker, a former lawyer who became interested in porting games to Linux after being introduced to the system through his work as a software licensing attorney.[54] Loki, although a commercial failure, is credited with the birth of the modern Linux game industry.[55] Loki developed several free software tools, such as the Loki installer (also known as Loki Setup),[56] and supported the development of the Simple DirectMedia Layer,[57] as well as starting the OpenAL audio library project.[58] [59] These are still often credited as being the cornerstones of Linux game development.[60] They were also responsible for bringing nineteen high-profile games to the platform before its closure in 2002.

Loki's initial success also attracted other firms to invest in the Linux gaming market, such as Tribsoft, Hyperion Entertainment, Macmillan Digital Publishing USA, Titan Computer, Xatrix Entertainment, Philos Laboratories, and Vicarious Visions.[61] During this time Michael Simms founded Tux Games, one of the first online Linux game retailers,[62] later followed by Fun 4 Tux,[63] Wupra,[64] ixsoft, and LinuxPusher.[65] The Indrema Entertainment System (also known as the L600) was also in development since 1999 as a Linux based game console and digital media player,[66] [67] [68] but production halted in 2001 due to a lack of investment,[69] [70] although the TuxBox project attempted a continuation.[71]

The period also saw a number of commercial compilations released,[72] such as 100 Great Linux Games by Global Star Software,[73] Linux Games by Walnut Creek CDROM,[74] [75] Linux Games++ by Pacific Hitech,[76] [77] Linux Cubed Series 8 LINUX Games by Omeron Systems,[78] Best Linux Games by SOT Finnish Software Engineering,[79] [80] [81] LinuxCenter Games Collection,[82] Linux Games & Entertainment for X Windows by Hemming,[83] [84] Linux Spiele & Games by more software,[85] Linux Spiele by Franzis Verlag,[86] and play it! Linux: Die Spielesammlung by S.A.D. Software.[87] Numerous Linux distributions and collections packed in Loki games and demos,[88] including Red Hat Linux,[89] Corel Linux and WordPerfect Office,[90] [91] and the complete Eric's Ultimate Solitaire bundled with PowerPlant by TheKompany.[92]

The release of ScummVM in 2001,[93] Dosbox in 2002,[94] as well as video game console emulators like MAME from 1997 and released as open source in 2016, helped make Linux a viable platform for retro gaming (facilitated by the RetroArch frontend since 2010).[95] [96] This is especially the case for the GP2X series of handheld game consoles by GamePark Holdings in addition to the community driven Pandora and DragonBox Pyra. Dedicated emulation setups are also built on single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi released in 2012, which are most often Linux based including with Raspberry Pi OS.[97] Wine is also useful for running older Windows games,[98] including 16-bit and even some 32-bit applications that no longer work on modern 64-bit Windows.[99] The Sharp Zaurus personal data assistants adopted a Linux derived system called OpenZaurus, which attracted its own gaming scene.[100] [101] This was also the case with the Agenda VR3, advertised as the first "pure Linux PDA".[102] [103]

2003–2007

After Loki's closure, the Linux game market experienced some changes.[104] Although some new firms, such as Linux Game Publishing and RuneSoft, would largely continue the role of a standard porting house,[105] the focus began to change with Linux game proponents encouraging game developers to port their game products themselves or through individual contractors.[106] Influential to this was Ryan C. Gordon, a former Loki employee who would over the next decade port several game titles to multiple platforms, including Linux.[107]

Around this time many companies, starting with id Software, also began to release legacy source code leading to a proliferation of source ports of older games to Linux and other systems.[108] This also helped expand the already existing free and open-source gaming scene, especially with regards to the creation of free first person shooters.[109] In addition, numerous game engine recreations have been produced to varying levels of accuracy using reverse engineering or underlying engine code supporting the original game files including on Linux and other niche systems.[110] [111]

The company TransGaming marketed as a monthly subscription its own proprietary fork of Wine called WineX in October 2001, later renamed Cedega in 2004 and discontinued in 2011, which aimed for greater compatibility with Microsoft Windows games. CodeWeavers also offered an enhanced version of Wine called CrossOver Games.[112] [113] The reliance on such compatibility layers remains controversial with concerns that it hinders growth in native development,[114] [115] although this approach was defended based on Loki's demise.[116] [117] PlayOnLinux, established in 2007, provides a community alternative,[118] with various guides being written on how to get games to run through Wine.[119] A special Gaming Edition of Mandrake Linux 8.1 was released that featured WineX packed in with The Sims.[120] The fact that the fork of Wine did not release source back to the main project was also a point of contention, despite promises to release code after achieving a set number of subscribers.[121] [122]

2008–2011

The Linux gaming market also started to experience some growth towards the end of the decade with the rise of independent video game development,[123] with many "indie" developers favouring support for multiple platforms.[124] The Humble Indie Bundle initiatives inaugurated in 2010 helped to formally demonstrate this trend,[125] with Linux users representing a sizable population of their purchase base, as well as consistently being the most financially generous in terms of actual money spent.[126] [127] The Humble Indie Bundle V in 2012 faced controversy for featuring a Wine-based release of Limbo prepared by CodeWeavers,[128] while a native version was later released in 2014.[129] Humble eventually began offering Windows-only games in their bundles and on their store.[130] [131]

In 2009, the small indie game company Entourev LLC published Voltley to Linux which is the first commercial exclusive game for this operating system.[132] [133] In the same year, LGP released Shadowgrounds which was the first commercial game for Linux using the Nvidia PhysX middleware.[134] The GamingOnLinux website was launched on July 4, 2009, and eventually succeeded LinuxGames as the main source of news and commentary.[135]

The release of a Linux version of Desura in 2011,[136] a digital distribution platform with a primary focus on small independent developers, was heralded by several commentators as an important step to greater acknowledgement of Linux as a gaming platform.[137] [138] Shortly before this, Canonical launched the Ubuntu Software Center which also sold digital games.[139] The digital store Gameolith also launched in 2011 focused principally on Linux before expanding in 2012 and closing in 2014.[140] [141]

2012–2016

In July 2012, game developer and content distributor Valve announced a port of their Source engine for Linux as well as stating their intention to release their Steam digital distribution service for Linux.[142] [143] [144] The potential availability of a Linux Steam client had already attracted other developers to consider porting their titles to Linux,[145] [146] [147] including previously Mac OS only porting houses such as Aspyr Media and Feral Interactive.[148]

In November 2012, Unity Technologies ported their Unity engine and game creation system to Linux starting with version 4. All of the games created with the Unity engine can now be ported to Linux easily.[149]

In September 2013 Valve announced that they were releasing a gaming oriented Linux based operating system called SteamOS with Valve saying they had "come to the conclusion that the environment best suited to delivering value to customers is an operating system built around Steam itself."[150] This was used for their Steam Machine platform released on November 10, 2015, and discontinued in 2018.[151]

In March 2014 GOG.com announced they would begin to support Linux titles on their DRM free store starting the same year, after previously stating they would not be able due to too many distributions.[152] GOG.com began their initial roll out on July 24, 2014, by offering 50 Linux supporting titles, including several new to the platform.[153]

Despite previous statements, GOG have confirmed they have no plans to port their Galaxy client to Linux.[154] The free software Lutris started in 2010,[155] GameHub from 2019,[156] MiniGalaxy from 2020,[157] and the Heroic Games Launcher from 2021,[158] offer support for GOG as well as the Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect and Origin.

In March and April 2014 two major developers Epic Games and Crytek announced Linux support for their next generation engines Unreal Engine 4 and CryEngine respectively.[159] [160]

Towards the end of 2014 the game host itch.io announced that Linux would be supported with their developing open source game client.[161] This was fully launched simultaneously on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux on December 15, 2015.[162] The service had supported Linux since it was first unveiled on March 3, 2013, with creator Leaf Corcoran personally a Linux user.[163] The similar Game Jolt service also supports Linux and has an open source client released on January 13, 2016.[164] [165] GamersGate also sells games for Linux.[166] [167]

2017-present

On August 22, 2018, Valve released their fork of Wine called Proton, aimed at gaming.[168] It features some improvements over the vanilla Wine such as Vulkan-based DirectX 11 implementation, Steam integration, better full screen and game controller support and improved performance for multi-threaded games.[169] It has since grown to include support for DirectX 9[170] and DirectX 12[171] over Vulkan. The itch.io app added its own Wine integration in June 2020,[172] while Lutris and PlayOnLinux are long-standing independent solutions for compatibility wrappers.[173] [174]

As with Wine and Cedega in the past, concerns have been raised over whether Proton hinders native development more than it encourages use of the platform.[175] [176] Prodeus dropped native support in favour of Proton shortly before final release[177] and Arcen Games cancelled planned native support for Heart of the Machine.[178] Valve has expressed no preference over Proton or native ports among developers.[179]

On February 25, 2022, Valve released Steam Deck, a handheld game console running SteamOS 3.0.[180] [181] The deployment of Proton and other design decisions were based on the limited response to their previous Steam Machines.[182] Linux was also used as a base for several nostalgia consoles, including the Neo Geo X,[183] NES Classic Edition,[184] Super NES Classic Edition,[185] Sega Genesis Mini,[186] Intellivision Amico,[187] Lichee Pocket 4A,[188] and the Atari VCS.[189] It also powers the more general Polymega,[190] Anbernic RG351 and 5G552, as well as the Game Gadget,[191] Evercade, VS, EXP and Super Pocket retrogaming consoles by Blaze Entertainment.[192] [193]

As of early 2023, the retro game store Zoom Platform was enhancing Linux support on their available titles.[194]

Market share

The Steam Hardware Survey reports that as of January 2024, 2% of users are using some form of Linux as their platform's primary operating system.[195] The Unity game engine used to[196] make their statistics available and in March 2016 reported that Linux users accounted for 0.4% of players.[197] In 2010, in the first Humble Bundle sales, Linux accounted for 18% of purchases.[198]

Supported hardware

Linux as a gaming platform can also refer to operating systems based on the Linux kernel and specifically designed for the sole purpose of gaming. Examples are SteamOS, which is an operating system for Steam Machines, Steam Deck and general computers, video game consoles built from components found in the classical home computer, (embedded) operating systems like Tizen and Pandora, and handheld game consoles like GP2X, and Neo Geo X. The Nvidia Shield runs Android as an operating system, which is based on a modified Linux kernel.

The open source design of the Linux software platform allows the operating system to be compatible with various computer instruction sets and many peripherals, such as game controllers and head-mounted displays. As an example, HTC Vive, which is a virtual reality head-mounted display, supports the Linux gaming platform.

Performance

In 2013, tests by Phoronix showed real-world performance of games on Linux with proprietary Nvidia and AMD drivers were mostly comparable to results on Windows 8.1.[199] Phoronix found similar results in 2015,[200] though Ars Technica described a 20% performance drop with Linux drivers.[201]

Software architecture

An operating system based on the Linux kernel and customized specifically for gaming, could adopt the vanilla Linux kernel with only little changes, or—like the Android operating system—be based on a relative extensively modified Linux kernel. It could adopt GNU C Library or Bionic or something like it. The entire middleware or parts of it, could very well be closed-source and proprietary software; the same is true for the video games. There are free and open-source video games available for the Linux operating system, as well as proprietary ones.

Linux kernel

The subsystems already mainlined and available in the Linux kernel are most probably performant enough so to not impede the gaming experience in any way, however additional software is available, such as e.g. the Brain Fuck Scheduler (a process scheduler) or the Budget Fair Queueing (BFQ) scheduler (an I/O scheduler).[202]

Similar to the way the Linux kernel can be, for example, adapted to run better on supercomputers, there are adaptations targeted at improving the performance of games. A project concerning itself with this issue is called Liquorix.[203] [204]

Available software for video game designers

Game creation systems

Several game creation systems can be run on Linux, such as Game Editor, GDevelop, Construct and Stencyl, as well as beta versions of GameMaker.[205] A Linux version of Clickteam Fusion 3 was mentioned, but has yet to be released.[206] The Godot, Defold, and Solar2D game engines also supports creating games on Linux,[207] as do the commercial UnrealEd[208] and Unity Editor,[209] [210] The visual programming environments Snap!, Scratch 1.X[211] and Tynker are Linux compatible. Enterbrain's RPG Maker MV was released for Linux.[212] In addition, open-source, cross-platform clones of the RPG Maker series exist such as Open RPG Maker, MKXP and EasyRPG,[213] as well as the similar OHRRPGCE and Solarus.[214] The Adventure Game Studio editor is not yet ported to Linux, although games made in it are compatible, and the Wintermute and SLUDGE[215] adventure game engines are available. ZGameEditor,[216] Novashell,[217] GB Studio,[218] and the ZZT inspired MegaZeux[219] are also options. Versions of Mugen were made available for Linux,[220] and open-source re-implementations such as IKEMEN Go are compatible.[221] The JavaScript based Ct.js[222] Pixelbox.js,[223] and Superpowers[224] are also options.

Level editors

Various level editors exists for Linux, such as wxqoole, GtkRadiant, TrenchBroom[225] [226] and J.A.C.K.[227] for the id Tech engines and related, Eureka,[228] SLADE[229] and ReDoomEd[230] for the Doom engine, and the general purpose tile map editors LLDtk,[231] Ogmo,[232] and Tiled.[233]

Debuggers

See also: AMD CodeXL. Several game development tools have been available for Linux, including GNU Debugger, LLDB, Valgrind, glslang and others. VOGL, a debugger for OpenGL was released on 12 March 2014.

Available interfaces and SDKs

There are multiple interfaces and Software Development Kits available for Linux, and almost all of them are cross-platform. Most are free and open-source software subject to the terms of the zlib License, making it possible to static link against them from fully closed-source proprietary software. One difficulty due to this abundance of interfaces, is the difficulty for programmers to choose the best suitable audio API for their purpose. The main developer of the PulseAudio project, Lennart Poettering, commented on this issue.[234] Physics engines, audio libraries, that are available as modules for game engines, have been available for Linux for a long time.

The book Programming Linux Games covers a couple of the available APIs suited for video game development for Linux, while The Linux Programming Interface covers the Linux kernel interfaces in much greater detail.

Library !! rowspan="2"
License !Language bindings Back-ends Description
Icon Name Official 3rd-party Other
zlib LicenseCAndroid, iOS
zlib LicenseC++Python, Lua, Ruby
zlib LicenseCAda, C#, Common Lisp, D, Go, Haskell, Java, Python, Rebol, Red, Ruby, Rusta small C library to create and manage windows with OpenGL contexts, enumerate monitors and video modes, and handle input
LGPL-2.1+Cfree software package for adding multiplayer support
UnknownAs the result of their cooperation with Valve, Nvidia announced a Linux port of GameWorks.[235] As of June 2014, PhysX, and OptiX have been available for Linux for some time.
APSLCnetworking library authored by Apple Inc.
LGPL-2.1Pythonbuild over SDL
3-clause BSDC++C++, C#PlayStation 3, iOS, ...game network engine for multi-player
zlib LicenseCCC#, Pascal, Python, GambasPSP-stuffa low-level cross-platform abstraction layer
zlib LicenseC++C, D, Python, Ruby, OCaml, .Net, Go
LGPL-likeC++

Available middleware

Beside majority of the software which acts as an interface to various subsystems of the operating system, there is also software which can be simply described as middleware. A multitude of companies exist worldwide, whose main or only product is software that is meant to be licensed and integrated into a game engine. Their primary target is the video game industry, but the film industry also utilizes such software for special effects. Some very few well known examples are

A significant share of the available middleware already runs natively on Linux, only a very few run exclusively on Linux.

Available IDEs and source code editors

Numerous source code editors and IDEs are available for Linux, among which are Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text,, Qt Creator, Emacs, or Vim.

Multi-monitor

A multi-monitor setup is supported on Linux at least by AMD Eyefinity & AMD Catalyst, Xinerama and RandR on both X11 and Wayland. is one example of a game that runs natively on Linux and supports very high resolutions and is validated by AMD to support their Eyefinity.[236] Civilization V is another example, it even runs on a "Kaveri" desktop APU in 3x1 portrait mode.[237]

Voice over IP

The specifications of the Mumble protocol are freely available and there are BSD-licensed implementations for both servers and clients. The positional audio API of Mumble is supported by e.g. .

Wine

See main article: Wine (software). Wine is a compatibility layer that provides binary compatibility and makes it possible to run software, that was written and compiled for Microsoft Windows, on Linux. The Wine project hosts a user-submitted application database (known as Wine AppDB) that lists programs and games along with ratings and reviews which detail how well they run with Wine. Wine AppDB also has a commenting system, which often includes instructions on how to modify a system to run a certain game which cannot run on a normal or default configuration. Many games are rated as running flawlessly, and there are also many other games that can be run with varying degrees of success. The use of Wine for gaming has proved controversial in the Linux community as some feel it is preventing, or at least hindering, the further growth of native gaming on the platform.[238] [239]

Emulators

There are numerous emulators for Linux. There are also APIs, virtual machines, and machine emulators that provide binary compatibility:

Linux homebrew on consoles

See main article: Homebrew (video games). Linux has been ported to several game consoles, including the Xbox, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4,[240] GameCube,[241] and Wii which allows game developers without an expensive game development kit to access console hardware. Several gaming peripherals also work with Linux.[242] [243]

Linux adoption

Adoption by game engines

See also: List of game engines and List of game engine recreations.

The game engine is the software solely responsible for the game mechanics, or rules defining game play. There are different game engines for first-person shooters, strategy video games, etc. Besides the game mechanics, software is also needed to handle graphics, audio, physics, input handling, and networking.

Game engines that have been used by a number of video games and run on top of Linux include:

Adoption by video games

See main article: List of Linux games.

There are many free and open-source video games as well as commercially distributed proprietary video games that run natively on Linux. Some independent companies have also begun porting prominent video games from Microsoft Windows to Linux.

Free and open-source games

See main article: Open-source video game, List of open-source video games and List of commercial video games with available source code.

Original games

A few original open source video games have attained notability:

Clones and remakes

There are a larger number of open source clones and remakes of classic games:

Proprietary games

Available on Steam

Valve officially released Steam for Linux on February 14, 2013. the number of Linux-compatible games on Steam exceeds 6,500.[250] With the launch of SteamOS, a distribution of Linux made by Valve intended to be used for HTPC gaming, that number is quickly growing. Listed below are some notable games available on Steam for Linux:

Independent game developers

Independent developer 2D Boy released World of Goo for Linux. Role-playing video game titles like , and were developed cross-platform from the start of development, including a Linux version. Sillysoft released Linux versions of their game Lux and its various versions, as did My Game Company and its Dirk Dashing series.[251] Donohoe Digital released War! Age of Imperialism and DD Poker for Linux.[252] Devolver Digital has released a number of indie games for Linux, including Hotline Miami, Hatoful Boyfriend, Minit, Ruiner, Reigns, OlliOlli, Carrion and Broforce. Vlambeer has released Luftrausers and Nuclear Throne. Supergiant Games has released Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre.

Hemisphere Games has released a Linux version of Osmos. Koonsolo has released a Linux version of Mystic Mine. Amanita Design released Linux versions of Machinarium and Samorost 2. Irrgheist released a Linux version of their futuristic racing game H-Craft Championship before later releasing the source code. Gamerizon released a Linux version of QuantZ. InterAction Studios ported several titles mostly in the Chicken Invaders series. GridWars was released for Linux by Canadian developer Marco Inciti.

Young Horses released , Studio Pixel released Cave Story, Number None released Braid, Subset Studios released , The Indie Stone released Project Zomboid, Vblank Entertainment released Retro City Rampage, Bit Kid released Chasm, Rocketcat Games released Death Road to Canada, Ape Marina released Tales, HuniePot released HuniePop, Toby Fox has released Undertale, ConcernedApe has released Stardew Valley, Skookum Arts released The Pedestrian, and Data Realms released Cortex Command. Yacht Club Games has released Shovel Knight and Mina the Hollower. Drinkbox Studios released and Guacamelee!. Edmund McMillen has released Super Meat Boy, The Binding of Isaac, and The End is Nigh.

Kristanix Games released Linux versions of Crossword Twist, Fantastic Farm, Guess The Phrase!, Jewel Twist, Kakuro Epic, Mahjong Epic, Maxi Dice, Solitaire Epic, Sudoku Epic, and Theseus and the Minotaur. Anawiki Games released Linux versions of Path of Magic, Runes of Avalon, Runes of Avalon 2, Soccer Cup Solitaire, The Perfect Tree and Dress-Up Pups. Gaslamp Games released a Linux version of Dungeons of Dredmor. Broken Rules released a Linux version of And Yet It Moves. Klei Entertainment have released Shank, Mark of the Ninja, Don't Starve and more. Tomorrow Corporation has released Little Inferno, Human Resource Machine and 7 Billion Humans. Alientrap released Nexuiz, Capsized, Apotheon, and Cryptark. Freebird Games has released To the Moon, A Bird Story, Finding Paradise and Impostor Factory. 17-Bit released Skulls of the Shogun and .

Frictional Games released Linux versions of both and , as well as the expansion pack . They also released for Linux simultaneously with the Windows and Mac OS X versions, a practice they continued through to (2020). S2 Games released Linux clients for their titles , and Heroes of Newerth. Wolfire Games released a Linux version of their game Lugaru and supported its sequel Overgrowth on Linux; David Rosen's earlier Black Shades was also ported to Linux via released source code. Arctic Paint released a Linux version of Number Drill. Charlie's Games has released a Linux version of Bullet Candy Perfect, Irukandji, Space Phallus and Scoregasm. Spiderweb Software has released , Blades of Exile, and for Linux.

Illwinter Game Design released Conquest of Elysium II, , , and for Linux. Introversion Software released Darwinia, Uplink, and DEFCON. Cartesian Theatre is a Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, based software house specializing in free, commercial, games for Linux, most notably Avaneya. Kot-in-Action Creative Artel released their Steel Storm games for Linux. Hazardous Software have released their game Achron for Linux. Harebrained Schemes has released Shadowrun Returns, , , and BattleTech.

UNIGINE Company developed Oil Rush using its Unigine engine technology that works on Linux. Unigine Corp was also developing a "shooter-type game" that would have been released for Linux, but development was later frozen while OilRush developed.[253] The MMORPG game Syndicates of Arkon was also supposed to come to Linux.[254] The game Dilogus: The Winds of War was also being developed with Unigine and was planned to have a Linux client.[255] Cradle was released for Linux in 2015, as was Sumoman in 2017.

A number of visual novel developers support Linux. Winter Wolves released titles such as Spirited Heart, Heileen, The Flower Shop, Bionic Heart, Card Sweethearts, Vera Blanc, Planet Stronghold, and Loren The Amazon Princess for Linux.[256] [257] Hanako Games released Science Girls, Summer Session, Date Warp, Cute Knight Kingdom, and were considering porting Fatal Hearts to Linux.[258] [259] sakevisual brought Jisei, Kansei, Yousei, RE: Alistair and Ripples to Linux.[260] Four Leaf Studios also released Katawa Shoujo for Linux[261] and Christine Love released , both of which, along with Summer Session mentioned previously, are powered by the free software Ren'Py game engine.

The Java-based sandbox game Minecraft by then indie developer Mojang is available on Linux, as are any other video games compiled for the Java virtual machine. Linux support was maintained even following Mojang's purchase by Microsoft in November 2014.

Dwarf Fortress, a sandbox management simulator / roguelike, has been made available for Linux by Tarn Adams.[262]

The realistic replay baseball simulation Out of the Park Baseball by OOTP Developments was made available for Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows, for single player and multiplayer online leagues.

Grappling Hook, a first-person shooter like puzzle game using the jMonkeyEngine, was released by Christian Teister. David Pittman released his game Eldritch for Linux. Big Robot released Sir, You Are Being Hunted and The Signal From Tölva. Superhot Team released Superhot. New Blood Interactive has released Dusk and Ultrakill for Linux. Sorath released Devil Daggers, Free Lives released the prototype of Anger Foot, and Samurai Punk released Screencheat. Pine Studio released and Quicktequila released Lovely Planet. Milkstone Studios has released the first-person shooter roguelike Ziggurat for Linux, while Crema released Immortal Redneck,[263] Terrible Posture Games released Tower of Guns, Terri Vellmann released Heavy Bullets, Pixel Titans released Strafe, and Code Avarice released Paranautical Activity. Magellanic Games has released Office Point Rescue[264] and Affliction Rescue[265] based on the Godot engine.

Pillow Castle Games released Superliminal, Gone North Games released A Story About My Uncle, and Manekoware with Fire Hose Games released Catlateral Damage. Incandescent Imaging released Caffeine, Bloober Team released Layers of Fear, Red Barrels released Outlast, Krillbite Studio released Among the Sleep, Saibot Studios released Doorways,[266] Camel 101 and Bigmoon Entertainment released Syndrome, Adam Pype released No Players Online, Arbitrary Metric released Paratopic, Mystman12 released Baldi's Basics in Education and Learning, and Kindly Beast released Bendy and the Ink Machine.

In the walking simulator space, Dan Ruscoe's Dark Hill Museum of Death is available for Linux, as well as the better known Gone Home, The Stanley Parable, Jazzpunk, Firewatch and Proteus. Blendo Games has released their games, including Gravity Bone, Thirty Flights of Loving and Quadrilateral Cowboy built on the open source id Tech code, for Linux.

Game porters

Independent companies have also taken on the task of porting prominent Windows games to Linux. Loki Software was the first such company, and between 1998 and 2002 ported , Descent³, Eric's Ultimate Solitaire, Heavy Gear II,, Heretic II, Heroes of Might and Magic III,[267] , , Postal, Railroad Tycoon II, Quake III Arena, Rune, Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, Sim City 3000, Soldier of Fortune, Tribes 2, and MindRover to Linux.

Tribsoft created a Linux version of Jagged Alliance 2 published by Titan Computer before shutting down in 2002. Linux Game Publishing was founded in 2001 in response to the impending demise of Loki, and has brought Creatures: Internet Edition, Candy Cruncher, Majesty: Gold Edition, NingPo MahJong, Hyperspace Delivery Boy!, Software Tycoon, Postal²: Share The Pain, Soul Ride, , Gorky 17, Cold War, , Ballistics, , Jets'n'Guns, Sacred: Gold, Shadowgrounds, and Shadowgrounds Survivor to Linux. Some of these games were ported for them by Gordon.

LGP-associated but freelance consultant Frank C. Earl is porting the game Caster to Linux and has released the first episode and also developed the Linux version of Cortex Command being included in the second Humble Indie Bundle. He is also working towards other porting projects such as the entire Myth series. He is largely taking recommendations and he comments as part of the Phoronix community. icculus.org has ported beta releases for and Devastation, versions of America's Army, and the titles Prey, Aquaria, Braid, Hammerfight and Cogs.

The German publisher RuneSoft was founded in 2000. They ported the games Northland,, Airline Tycoon Deluxe, Ankh, , Barkanoid 2, and Jack Keane to Linux, as well as porting Knights and Merchants: The Shattered Kingdom and Software Tycoon, for Linux Game Publishing. Hyperion Entertainment ported games to several systems. They have ported and SiN to Linux, both published by Titan Computer as well as porting Gorky 17 for Linux Game Publishing. Wyrmkeep Entertainment has brought the games The Labyrinth of Time and to Linux. Alternative Games brought Trine and Shadowgrounds, and Shadowgrounds Survivor for Linux Game Publishing.

Aspyr Media released their first Linux port in June 2014,[268] they claim they are porting to Linux due to Valve bringing out SteamOS.[269] Aspyr Media later ported Borderlands 2 to Linux[270] in September 2014.

Having ported games to the Macintosh since 1996, video game publisher Feral Interactive released , its first game for Linux, in June 2014. Feral Interactive stated they port games to Linux thanks to SteamOS.[271]

Other developers

Some id Software employees ported the Doom series, the Quake series, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, and . Some games published by GarageGames which have Linux versions include Bridge Builder, Marble Blast Gold, Gish, Tribal Trouble, and .

MP Entertainment released Hopkins FBI and Crack dot com released Abuse for Linux, becoming one of the first developers to release a native port. Inner Worlds, another early commercial Linux title, was released for and developed on Linux. Philos Laboratories released a Linux version of Theocracy on the retail disk. Absolutist has supported Linux for a number of years.[272] GLAMUS GmbH released a Linux version of their game Mobility. Vicarious Visions ported the space-flight game Terminus to Linux. Oliver Hamann released the driving game Odyssey by Car in 2001.[273] Futureware 2001 released a trading simulation Würstelstand in 1999.

Mountain King Studios released a port of . BlackHoleSun Software released Krilo, Bunnies and Aftermath, and worked on Atlantis: The Underwater City - Interactive Storybook.[274] RedLynx released the freeware Phobia III - Edge Of Humanity for Linux.[275] Revolution Software released source code to Lure of the Temptress and Beneath a Steel Sky to facilitate compatibility with ScummVM, which later also grew to support , and , with Revolution later also releasing native ports of the sequels Beyond a Steel Sky and .

Lava Lord Games released their game Astro Battle for Linux. Xatrix Entertainment released a Linux version of . BioWare released Neverwinter Nights for Linux. Croteam released the Serious Sam series, with the first game ported by Gordon and with the second self-ported. Gordon also ported Epic Games' shooter games Unreal Tournament 2003 and Unreal Tournament 2004.

The Project Aon effort to digitize and distribute Joe Dever's Lone Wolf gamebooks distributed archives in the tar.gz format popular among Linux users,[276] and later player aid programs such as Seventh Sense have supported Linux directly.[277]

Revolution System Games released their game Decadence: Home Sweet Home through Steam only for Linux for a period of time after Mac or Windows release.[278]

On 12 October 2013 Lars Gustavsson, creative director at DICE, said to polygon.com[279]

Commercial games for non-x86 instruction sets

Some companies ported games to Linux running on instruction sets other than x86, such as Alpha, PowerPC, Sparc, MIPS or ARM.

Loki Entertainment Software ported , Eric's Ultimate Solitaire, Heroes of Might and Magic III, , Railroad Tycoon II Gold Edition and Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri with Alien Crossfire expansion pack to Linux PowerPC.[280] They also ported Civilization: Call to Power, Eric's Ultimate Solitaire, Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri with Alien Crossfire expansion pack to Linux Alpha and Civilization: Call to Power, Eric's Ultimate Solitaire to Linux SPARC.

Linux Game Publishing published Candy Cruncher, Majesty Gold, NingPo MahJong and Soul Ride to Linux PowerPC. They also ported Candy Cruncher, Soul Ride to Linux SPARC and Soul Ride to Linux Alpha.[281] [282]

Illwinter Game Design ported , and Dominions 3 to Linux PowerPC, as well as Conquest of Elysium 3, to Raspberry Pi.[283]

Hyperion Entertainment ported Sin to Linux PowerPC published by Titan Computer and Gorky 17 to Linux PowerPC which later was published by LGP.

Runesoft hired Gunnar von Boehn which ported Robin Hood – The Legend of Sherwood to Linux PowerPC. Later Runesoft ported Airline Tycoon Deluxe to Raspberry Pi was running Debian GNU/Linux.

Source ports

See main article: Source port.

Several developers have released the source code to many of their legacy titles, allowing them to be run as native applications on many alternative platforms, including Linux. Examples of games which were ported to Linux this way include Duke Nukem 3D, Shadow Warrior, Rise of the Triad, , Ken's Labyrinth, Catacomb 3D, Seven Kingdoms, Warzone 2100, Homeworld, Call to Power II, Wolfenstein 3D, Heretic, Hexen, Hexen II, Aliens versus Predator, Arx Fatalis, Gloom, Descent, Descent II and Freespace 2.[108] Several game titles that were previously released for Linux were also able to be expanded or updated because of the availability of game code, including Doom, Abuse, Quake, Quake II, Quake III Arena and Jagged Alliance 2. Some derivatives based on released source code have also been released for Linux, such as Aleph One and Micropolis for and SimCity respectively.

Certain game titles were even able to be ported due to availability of shared engine code even though the game's code itself remains proprietary, lost, or otherwise unavailable, such as the video games Strife, Doom 64, Catacomb Abyss, , Super 3D Noah's Ark, Pathways Into Darkness, Marathon, Ultimate Gloom, Zombie Massacre, Blood, PowerSlave, Redneck Rampage,[284] or the multiplayer component of .[285] Some games have even been ported entirely or partially by reverse engineering and game engine recreation such as WarCraft II through Wargus or Commander Keen through Commander Genius.[111] Another trick is to attempt hacking the game to work as a mod on another native title, such as with the original Unreal.[286] Additionally, some games can be run through the use of Linux specific runtime environments, such as the case of certain games made with Adventure Game Studio such as the Chzo Mythos[287] or certain titles made with the RPG Maker tool such as those by Freebird Games. Games derived from released code, with both free and proprietary media, that are released for Linux include Urban Terror, OpenArena, Freedoom, Blasphemer, World of Padman, Nexuiz/Xonotic, War§ow, The Dark Mod, and .[288]

Massively multiplayer online role-playing games

See also: List of MMORPGs.

This is a selected list of MMORPGs that are native on Linux:

Types of Linux gaming

Linux gaming can be divided into a number of sub-categories.[289] [290] [291]

Libre gaming

Libre gaming is a form of Linux gaming that emphasizes libre software, which often includes levels and assets as well as code.[292] [293]

Native gaming

Native gaming is a form of Linux gaming that emphasizes using only native games or ports and not using emulators or compatibility layers.[238] [115] [294] [295]

DRM-free gaming

DRM-free gaming is a form of Linux gaming that emphasizes boycotting DRM technologies. This can include buying games from GOG.com, certain Humble Bundles or itch.io and avoiding Steam and similar services.[296] [297]

Terminal gaming

Terminal gaming is the playing of text-based games from within a console,[298] often programmed within Bash or using libraries such as ncurses.[299] [300]

Retro gaming

Retrogaming is the playing of older games[301] using emulators such as MAME or Dosbox,[302] compatibility layers such as Wine and Proton,[303] engine reimplementations and source ports,[304] or even older Linux distributions (including live CDs and live USB, or virtual machines),[305] [306] original binaries,[307] and period hardware.[308]

Live gaming

A number of games can be played from live distributions such as Knoppix, allowing easy access for users unwilling to fully commit to Linux.[309] Certain live distros have specially targeted gamers, such as SuperGamer and Linux-Gamers.[310] [311]

Browser gaming

Browser gaming is the act of playing online games through a web browser,[312] which has the advantage of largely being platform independent.[313] [314] The same largely applies to social network games hosted on social media sites.[315] Older games were largely based on Adobe Flash,[316] while modern ones are mostly HTML5.[317]

Cloud gaming

Cloud gaming is the streaming of games from a central server onto a desktop client.[318] This is another way to play games on Linux that are not natively supported,[319] [320] although some cloud services, such as the erstwhile Google Stadia,[321] [322] are hosted on Linux[323] [324] and Android servers.[325] GamingAnywhere is an open source implementation.[326]

On Windows

Although less exploited than the reverse,[327] as few programs are Linux exclusive,[328] support does exist for running Linux binaries from Windows.[329] [330] The Windows Subsystem for Linux allows the running of both command line[331] [332] and graphical Linux applications[333] [334] from Windows 10 and Windows 11.[335] An earlier implementation is Cygwin,[336] started by Cygnus Solutions and later maintained by Red Hat,[337] although it has limited hardware access[338] and required adaptation.[339] The use of Wine can even allow for the running of Windows games on Linux from Windows. The LibTAS library for tool assisted speedruns currently recommends WSL to run on Windows.[340] Naughty Dog meanwhile have used Cygwin to run old command-line tools for use in their game development,[341] which is a broader use for the platform.[342] As with running Windows applications on Linux, there is controversy over whether running Linux applications on Windows will dilute interest in Linux as distinct platform,[343] though it has speciality uses.[344]

Android gaming

Originally derived from Linux, the Android mobile operating system has a distinct and popular gaming ecosystem.[345] It has also been used as the base for several game consoles, such as the Nvidia Shield Portable and the Ouya.[346] Popular games include Pokemon Go, Genshin Impact, , Dead Cells and .[347] Certain games, such as Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Papers Please, are available for both Android and desktop Linux.[348]

ChromeOS gaming

ChromeOS is another Linux derived operating system by Google for its Chromebooks,[349] and it too has a dedicated gaming ecosystem.[350] [351] Partly owing to a lack of high end graphics hardware,[352] [353] it is especially oriented towards cloud gaming[354] via services like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming,[355] [356] with models featuring Nvidia GPUs ultimately being cancelled.[357] Numerous games for Android have also been made compatible with ChromeOS,[358] [359] as well as a standard Linux games,[360] [361] [362] Windows games via Wine or Proton,[363] [364] [365] and with browser games also being popular.[366] A version of Steam has been in development for ChromeOS,[367] with third party launchers also available such as the Heroic Games Launcher for the Epic Games Store.[368] Popular titles include Among Us, Genshin Impact, Alto's Odyssey, Roblox, and Fortnite.[369] [370] [371] [372] Skepticism remains for using ChromeOS and Chromebooks as gaming machines.[373] [374] [375]

BSD gaming

Owing to a common Unix-like heritage and free software ethos, many games for Linux are also ported to BSD variants[376] or can be run using compatibility layers such as Linuxulator.[377] BSDi had partnered with Loki Software to ensure its Linux ports ran on FreeBSD.[378] The Mizutamari launcher exists to facilitate running Windows games through Wine,[379] which can still be used standalone.[380] A 2011 benchmark by Phoronix even found certain speed advantages over running games on Linux itself, comparing PC-BSD 8.2 to Ubuntu 11.04.[381] Most BSD systems come with the same pack in desktop games as Linux.[382] The permissive licensing of BSD has also lead to its inclusion in the system software of several game consoles, such as the Sony PlayStation line[383] [384] and the Nintendo Switch.[385]

OpenHarmony gaming

HarmonyOS with custom kernel[386] and OpenHarmony-Oniro based operating systems distros[387] of these newer platforms has a dedicated gaming ecosystem with compatibilities with third-party Linux libraries by developers on Linux kernel subsystem such as musl-libc of C standard library that targets the Linux syscall and POSIX APIs compatibility for native compatible games as well as limited virtual machines such as Android-based sandboxed ones.

Unix gaming

See also: Mac gaming.

A further niche exists for running games, either through ports or lxrun,[388] on Solaris[389] and derivatives such as OpenIndiana,[390] Darwin distributions such as PureDarwin,[391] Coherent,[392] SerenityOS,[393] [394] Redox OS,[395] [396] ToaruOS,[397] Xv6,[398] Fiwix,[399] or on Minix[400] and Hurd based systems.[401] There has been some cross-pollination with purely proprietary Unix derivatives,[402] such as AIX,[403] QNX,[404] Domain/OS,[405] HP-UX,[406] IRIX (see here),[407] [408] Xenix,[409] SCO Unix,[410] Unixware,[411] Tru64 UNIX,[412] [413] LynxOS (which features inbuilt Linux compatibility[414]), Ultrix,[415] OpenVMS,[416] [417] z/OS UNIX System Services,[418] [419] and even A/UX.[420] The games Doom and Quake were developed by id Software on NeXTStep,[421] a forerunner of modern macOS,[422] before being ported to DOS and back to numerous other Unix variants.[423] This involved reaching out to numerous Unix vendors to supply machines to use in the build and testing process.[424]

See also

Notes and References

  1. ICGA Journal. 24. 2. June 2001. Ken, Unix and Games. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211021/https://www.bell-labs.com/usr/dmr/www/ken-games.html. 2021-10-21. Dennis. Ritchie. 67–70 . 10.3233/ICG-2001-24202 . Dennis Ritchie. 2023-03-19.
  2. Web site: Tales In Tech History: Unix. Tom. Jowitt. Silicon UK. 2017-05-26. 2023-03-05. The developers wanted to play the game on a PDP-7, a minicomputer built by Digital Equipment Corp found in the corner of their building. But the game couldn’t be run run on more modern (and hence costly) equipment, as computing resource was a precious commodity back then. By the summer of 1969 they had developed the new Unix OS that could run the computer game and in 1971 the first ever edition of Unix was released. A second edition of Unix arrived in December 1972 and was rewritten in the higher-level language C..
  3. Web site: Lessons from the Development of Unix. Joseph. Crick. 2017-12-12. Medium. 2023-03-18.
  4. Web site: The Strange Birth and Long Life of Unix. IEEE Spectrum. Warren. Toomey. December 2011. Apart from the text-processing and general system applications, the first edition of Unix included games such as blackjack, chess, and tic-tac-toe..
  5. Web site: Unix ASCII games. Sergey. Bronnikov. GitHub. 2023-03-18.
  6. Web site: Allen Holm . Joshua . 2017-06-21. Revisit Colossal Cave with Open Adventure . . 2023-02-05.
  7. Web site: Top 20 Best ASCII Games on Linux System. Ubuntu Pit. Mehedi. Hasan. 2022-11-24. 2023-03-18.
  8. Gagné. Marcel . 1 September 2000. The Ghost of Fun Times Past. Linux Journal. 2022-07-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607182135/http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/4169 . 2011-06-07.
  9. Web site: Lawrence. Woodman. 2009-08-11. My Top 10 Classic Text Mode BSD Games. TechTinkering. 2023-02-18.
  10. Web site: Stallman. Richard . Richard Stallman. Linux and the GNU System. GNU Project. 2022-07-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20170319145123/http://www.gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html . 2017-03-19 . Some of our system components, the programming tools, became popular on their own among programmers, but we wrote many components that are not tools. We even developed a chess game, GNU Chess, because a complete system needs games too..
  11. Web site: Wen. Howard . 21 November 2001. Building Freeciv: An Open Source Strategy Game. LinuxDevCenter.com. 2009-04-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20081229073619/http://www.linuxdevcenter.com/pub/a/linux/2001/11/21/freeciv.html . 2008-12-29. dead.
  12. Web site: Ryan. Armstrong. Old X Games. Zerk Zone. 2020-11-18. 2023-02-14.
  13. Web site: Wilson . Hamish . 2022-01-10 . Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer - Part 8: Shovelware with a Penguin . GamingOnLinux . 2023-02-09.
  14. Web site: Easy graphics: A beginner's guide to SVGAlib. Developer.com. Jay. Link. 1999-09-30. 2023-09-29.
  15. Web site: Sasteroids v1.0 release (vga arcade game). Brad. Pitzel. 1994-02-12. 2023-10-01.
  16. Web site: Sabre: An Svgalib Flight Sim. Linux Gazette. Larry. Ayers. 1998-07-01. 2023-09-29.
  17. Web site: Linux-GGI Project. Andreas. Beck. 1996-11-01. 2023-12-20. Linux Journal.
  18. Web site: Wilson . Hamish . 2024-03-12 . Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer Part 40: The Cyborg Project . GamingOnLinux . 2024-03-13.
  19. Web site: Software Announcements. 2000-01-06. 2024-01-21. Linux Weekly News.
  20. Web site: Fox. Alexander . 2018-01-05. The Best Open Source Clones of Great Old Games. Make Tech Easier. 2023-02-04.
  21. Web site: Swati. Maskara. 33 Best Open Source Games That Are Forever Free To Play. TechNorms. 2021-03-03. 2023-02-04.
  22. Web site: DOOM . Michael K. . Johnson . 1994-12-01 . 2023-04-23 . .
  23. Web site: Getting Started with Quake. Linux Journal. January 1, 1999. Zimbinski. Bob.
  24. Web site: Red Hat LINUX Secrets, Second Edition. Duane. Hellums. 1999-03-01. 2023-07-02. Linux Journal. It would be nice to see some extra CD goodies included, such as Doom and Quake which are freely available elsewhere..
  25. Book: Tackett, Jack . 1997 . Special Edition. Using Linux . United States . Que Corporation . 287 . 9780470485460 . The X Windows version supplied on the accompanying Slackware CD-ROM in the /contrib directory is a complete hareware version. (The Red Hat distribution automatically installs the game during installation.) Although this version runs on 386 computers, it was built to run on high-end 486 systems. If you run DOOM on a 386 with a small amount of physical RAM, be prepared to be disappointed; the game will be too slow to be enjoyable. You need lots of horse-power to play DOOM under Linux. .
  26. Book: Barkakati, Naba . 1996 . Linux Secrets . United States . IDG Books Worldwide . 96 . 9781568847986 . This disk set contains a collection of well-known UNIX games (X is not required), such as Hangman, Dungeon, and Snake. The set also includes id Software's DOOM. (This game comes in two versions, one runs under X, and the other runs without X.) You may want to install this disk set just so you can try out DOOM. .
  27. Book: Parker, Tim . 1996 . Linux Unleashed . United States . Macmillan Computer Publishing . 981 . 0672313723 . DOOM - This exciting, though controversially gory, game is now ported to Linux as well. Complete with sound support and exquisite graphics, this Linux port does its DOS counterpart justice. .
  28. Web site: So Long, Crack.com. loonygames. 2011-08-04. October 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201021165111/http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.10/guest/. dead.
  29. Partnership with Crack dot Com Brings Games to Linux . . 1997-10-07 . 2014-07-31.
  30. Book: Anonymous . 2000 . Maximum Linux Security: A Hacker's Guide to Protecting Your Linux Server and Workstation, Volume 1 . United States . . 121 . 9780672316708 . A classic, and very easy-to-follow SUID attack is the on the file /usr/lib/games/abuse/ abuse.console—part of a game that was distributed with Open Linux 1.1 and Red Hat 2.1. Yes, you read that right: Even a game can be a security risk to the system. .
  31. Web site: Okay, Dave Taylor: Why Linux?. GameSpot. Harley. Jebens. 2000-04-26. 2023-03-17.
  32. Web site: 'Dave Taylor Interview - game developer' . blankmaninc.com . 2012-10-27 . August 4, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140723204846/http://www.blankmaninc.com/david-taylor-interview/ . July 23, 2014 . dead .
  33. Web site: How To Install Quake 1. Linux.com. November 15, 2000. Mrochuk. Jeff. March 16, 2011. April 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220401073212/http://linux.omnipotent.net/article.php?article_id=11261. dead.
  34. Web site: Wilson . Hamish . 2023-02-27 . Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer - Part 27: Lost Souls . GamingOnLinux . 2023-02-27.
  35. Web site: An interview with Dave "Zoid" Kirsch of linux quake fame. https://web.archive.org/web/19990910231358/http://linuxpower.org/display_item.phtml?id=105. Linux Power. Barath. Raghavan. Jeremy. Katz. Jack. Moffitt. 1999-09-10. 1999-02-19. 2023-02-27.
  36. Web site: Interview with id Software's Timothee Besset. https://web.archive.org/web/20040924113843/http://www.linuxgames.com/?dataloc=articles/ttimo/. Dustin. Reyes. LinuxGames. 2004-08-22. 2004-09-24. 2023-02-27.
  37. Web site: John Carmack Argues Against Native Linux Games . Andy . Chalk . 2013-02-06 . 2013-09-29 . . January 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200121193621/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/121945-John-Carmack-Argues-Against-Native-Linux-Games . dead .
  38. Web site: Macmillan Says 'Let the Linux Games Begin!'; Market Leader in Linux Software & Books Offers 'Quake' & 'Civilization'. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305020245/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Macmillan+Says+'Let+the+Linux+Games+Begin!'%3B+Market+Leader+in+Linux...-a054913355. Business Wire. 2018-03-03. 2016-03-05. 1999-06-17.
  39. Web site: Quake III Arena on Linux. Rawn. Shah. CNN. 2000-03-09. 2023-02-27.
  40. Web site: Red Hat not Interested in Publishing Id Games. Slashdot. CmdrTaco. 1998-11-05. 2023-09-12.
  41. Web site: SimCity for Unix Liberated. Virtually Fun. Antoni. Sawicki. 2022-12-30. 2023-03-04.
  42. Web site: History and Future of OLPC SimCity / Micropolis. July 17, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20160113113239/http://www.donhopkins.com/drupal/. January 13, 2016. dead.
  43. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20071028191834/http://linux.omnipotent.net/article.php?article_id=6937. Hopkins FBI. Linux.com. 2000-02-09. 2007-10-28. Kuhnash. Jeremy.
  44. Web site: Internet Based Software Development . Sleepless Software Inc . September 19, 2001 . Hitchens . Joe . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20011231003158/http://sleepless.com/iw/article.html . December 31, 2001 .
  45. Web site: Ultima Online for Linux. https://web.archive.org/web/20040229150312/http://reverser.hut.ru/old/linux.htm. dead. 2004-02-29.
  46. Web site: REVIEW - The UNIX Book of Games. ACCU. Steve. Dicks. December 1998. 2023-03-17.
  47. Web site: [ANNC] The Linux Game Tome on the Web ]. 2023-12-16 . groups.google.com.
  48. Web site: Site review: Linux Game Tome. Linux.com. Tina. Gasperson. 2004-12-16. 2023-02-18.
  49. Web site: LGP Has Been Down For A Month And A Half. Phoronix. Michael. Larabel. 2010-11-18. 2023-02-18.
  50. Web site: Top 4 Websites To Discover Free Linux Games . Danny . Stieben . 2013-02-06 . 2023-02-02 . Make Use Of .
  51. Web site: Best Web Places to Find Amazing Free Linux Games . Amol . Wagh . 2011-09-14 . 2023-02-02 . Digital Conqueror .
  52. Web site: You can tell a lot about an OS from its games . Joe . Barr . 1999-07-01 . 2023-08-14 . CNN .
  53. Web site: Dawe. Liam . 14 August 2023. Rest in peace Dustin 'Crusader' Reyes, a pioneer of Linux gaming news . GamingOnLinux. 2023-08-14.
  54. Web site: Interview: Scott Draeker and Sam Lantinga, Loki Entertainment. Linux Journal. August 1, 1999.
  55. Web site: Remembering Loki's Linux games from the '90s. Jim. Lynch. InfoWorld. 2016-09-07. 2023-02-26.
  56. Web site: Interview with Ryan Gordon: Postal2, Unreal & Mac Gaming – Macologist . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050309061407/http://www.macologist.org/viewtopic.php?t=607 . March 9, 2005 .
  57. Web site: http://web.archive.org/web/20030511174315/http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/library/l-making-linux-fun/. SDL: Making Linux fun. Sam. Lantinga. Sam Lantinga. 1999-09-01. 2023-12-15. 2003-05-11. IBM.
  58. Web site: The Story of OpenAL. Linux Journal. January 1, 2001. Kreimeier. Bernd.
  59. Web site: Loki and the Linux World Expo – GameSpy chats with Linux legend Scott Draeker about the future of Linux gaming. GameSpy. Hills. James. https://web.archive.org/web/20060315020137/http://archive.gamespy.com/legacy/articles/loki_a.shtm. 2006-03-15.
  60. Web site: Does Ragnarok for Loki Spell Doom for Linux Games?. Eric. Foster-Johnson. February 9, 2016. August 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180829175620/http://www.itworld.com/article/2785732/open-source-tools/does-ragnarok-for-loki-spell-doom-for-linux-games-.html. dead.
  61. Web site: Is Linux Gaming here to stay?. GameSpy. James. Hills. 2001-03-01. 2023-12-07.
  62. Web site: Linux Game Publishing Blog, LGP History pt 1: How LGP came to be . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110713212344/http://blog.linuxgamepublishing.com/2009/05/15/lgp-history-pt-1-how-lgp-came-to-be/ . 2011-07-13 .
  63. Web site: Dawe. Liam . 30 June 2011. Gameolith - The Linux Game Download Store . GamingOnLinux. 2023-02-04.
  64. Web site: Bush. Josh . 11 September 2018. Cheese talks to himself (about Proton and the history of modern Linux gaming) . CheeseTalks. 2023-02-04.
  65. Web site: Linux Game Publishing Remains Dormant. Phoronix. Michael. Larabel. 2014-04-01. 2023-02-18.
  66. Web site: Indrema to bring Linux to the masses?. Gestalt. 2000-11-21. 2023-12-07. Eurogamer.
  67. News: Game start-up faces major rivals with Linux console . Stephen . Shankland . 2023-12-07 . . 2002-01-02.
  68. Game Arrives Only in Dreams . Farhad . Manjoo . 2023-12-07 . . 2001-03-13.
  69. News: Plans for Linux game console fizzle . David . Becker . 2023-12-07 . . 2002-01-02.
  70. News: Linux games console fragged . Tony . Smith . 2023-12-07 . . 2001-04-11.
  71. Web site: TuxBox: Rising from Indrema's ashes. 2001-04-18. Grant. Gross. Linux.com. 2023-12-07.
  72. Web site: Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer Part 36: Entertainment for X Windows. Hamish. Wilson. GamingOnLinux. 2023-12-12. 2023-12-15. While still being the most elaborate, 100 Great Linux Games was far from the only shovelware set of games released for Linux, with several UNIX CD-ROM vendors such as Walnut Creek CDROM and Omeron Systems also seeking a piece of the action for themselves..
  73. Web site: Take-Two Jumps on Linux. GameSpot. Amer. Ajami. 2000-04-26. 2023-04-02.
  74. Web site: Linux Games. https://web.archive.org/web/20001028145537/http://www.cdrom.com/titles/linux/lingame.phtml. Walnut Creek CDROM. 2000-10-28. 2023-04-07.
  75. Web site: Walnut Creek CDROM Catalog. Walnut Creek CDROM. 2000-12-17. 2023-04-07. Linux Games (Linux) - Large collection of games, graphics, sound, and video applications, plus related development tools..
  76. May 1997. PC CD-ROM - Shareware & utlity. 92 . Zeta. Italy. 2024-04-04.
  77. Web site: PHT Products . https://web.archive.org/web/19981206022910/http://pht.com/products/index.html. Pacific Hitech. 1998-12-06. 2024-04-04. 1998. Formerly known as 'Linux Games++', this is a collection of the best entertainment and multimedia programs for the Linux operating system. It also contains multimedia development tools to assist you in creating your own games and multimedia applications for Linux. This is the latest issue, volume 4, and features a new and improved user interface. The CD contains packages for i386, DEC Alpha, and PPC platforms. This product is only available through Walnut Creek CD-ROM..
  78. Web site: Linux Cubed Series 8 LINUX Games . Internet Archive Community Software . December 11, 1997 . 2023-12-08.
  79. Web site: Best Linux. Linux.com. 2000-04-02. 2023-04-07. Benjamin D.. Thomas.
  80. Web site: CeBIT 2000: "Consumer" Linux from Finland. ZDNet. Will. Knight. 2000-02-05. 2023-04-07.
  81. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20000816164923/http://bestlinux.net/en/2000/games.shtml. Linux is Best. SOT Finnish Software Engineering Ltd. 2000-08-16. 2023-04-07.
  82. Web site: Wilson . Hamish . 2023-08-08 . Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer Part 31: The Fear of Loss . GamingOnLinux . 2023-08-10 . I did discover that Phobia III was later packaged as part of the Russian made LinuxCenter Games Collection Vol.2 compilation, a selection of Linux gaming files that was sold on either four CD-ROMs or a single DVD, but this too appeared to have been scrubbed from the internet..
  83. Web site: Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer Part 36: Entertainment for X Windows. Hamish. Wilson. GamingOnLinux. 2023-12-12. 2023-12-15.
  84. Web site: Linux Products. https://web.archive.org/web/20010116165400/http://www.hemming.de:80/english/Products/Linux/linux.html. 2001-01-16. Hemming Ag. 2023-04-02.
  85. May 2000. SPIELE-TEST: Linux – Spiele & Games . 122 . PC Player. Germany. 2023-04-02.
  86. Web site: Linux Spiele. GameFAQs. 2023-04-02.
  87. Web site: play it! Linux: Die Spielesammlung …the funny side of Linux!. SocksCap64. 2023-04-02.
  88. Web site: Loki Software Games Demos. Halo Linux Services. June 3, 2022 . 2023-06-30.
  89. Web site: Red Hat brings out Linux 7.1. 2001-04-19. 2023-06-30. ITWeb.
  90. Web site: Corel puts out the Word on Office 2000. Nikolina. Menalo. 2000-05-18. IT World Canada News. 2023-05-30.
  91. Web site: Corel Linux Deluxe won't cross the pond. ZDNet. Will. Knight. 1999-12-09. 2023-06-30.
  92. Web site: PowerPlant Review. Jim. Gilbert. Linux Journal. 2000-12-01. 2023-06-30.
  93. Web site: Maniac Tentacle Mindbenders: How ScummVM's unpaid coders kept adventure gaming alive . . January 16, 2012 . February 16, 2016 . Richard . Moss.
  94. Web site: Liam . Dawe. 2019-07-15 . DOSBox-X and DOSBox Staging both had new releases lately. GamingOnLinux . 2023-02-05.
  95. News: Derrik. Diener. 2018-02-05. How To Play Arcade Games Using MAME On Linux. Addictivetips . 2018-02-05.
  96. Web site: Liam . Dawe. 2019-07-15 . RetroArch, the front-end app for emulators and more is heading to Steam. GamingOnLinux . 2023-02-05.
  97. Web site: Liam . Dawe. 2020-04-30 . If you have the retro gaming itch RetroPie 4.6 is out with support for the Raspberry Pi 4. GamingOnLinux . 2023-02-05.
  98. Web site: How to Play Retro Windows Games on Linux. Moe. Long. MakeUseOf. 2016-09-23. 2023-02-16.
  99. Web site: Is the Best Place to Run Old Windows Software... on Linux or a Mac?. Vulcan Hammer. Don. Warrington. 2020-05-11. 2023-02-16.
  100. Web site: Applications for the Sharp Zaurus. Linux Journal. Guylhem. Aznar. 2002-07-02. 2023-10-28. An excellent way to start using the Zaurus is by playing games. The best way to play games on the Zaurus is to install an emulator..
  101. Web site: Zaurus Software. New Breed Software. Bill. Kendrick. 2023-10-28.
  102. Web site: "Agenda's agenda -- a Linux-based "Open PDA"" . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080513071354/http://www.linuxdevices.com/articles/AT4992223978.html . 2008-05-13 ., LinuxDevices.com, retrieved July 17, 2008
  103. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20061017141822/http://www.agendawiki.com/cgi-bin/asr.pl?action=showcat&category=Games. Games. 2006-10-17. 2023-12-08. Agenda Wiki.
  104. Web site: Kepley . Travis . 2010-05-13. A brief history of commercial gaming on Linux (and how it's all about to change) . . 2023-02-05.
  105. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20030602025952/http://www.linuxhardware.org/article.pl?sid=03/04/18/169209. Gaming and Linux in 2003. Dana. Olson. LinuxHardware.org. 2003-04-18. 2003-06-02. 2023-07-01.
  106. Web site: Alternative Games Is All About Linux Gaming. Phoronix. December 14, 2010. Larabel. Michael. Michael Larabel.
  107. Web site: Porting games to Linux. hardware.no. March 10, 2009. Heggelund Hansen. Robin.
  108. Web site: The Best Modern, Open Source Ports of Classic Games. How-To Geek. Michael. Crider. 2017-12-24. 2023-03-20.
  109. Web site: Quake, Meet GPL; GPL, Meet Quake . 2007-12-01 . 2012-01-12 . Linux Journal.
  110. Web site: Bolding. Jonathan . 4 September 2022. Y'all know about these huge lists of free, open-source game clones, right? . PC Gamer. 2023-02-04.
  111. Web site: Open Source Ports of Commercial Game Engines. Nitesh. Kumar. 2021. LinuxHint. 2023-03-20.
  112. Web site: Christopher . Rice. Linux Gaming: Are We There Yet? . 2009-12-28 . 2023-02-02 . AnandTech.
  113. Web site: Jeff . Hoogland . Codeweavers vs. Cedega, Commercial Wine Product Comparison . April 2010 . 2023-02-02 . Linux Gazette.
  114. Web site: Stefan . Vrabie . Cedega and Linux: Let the Windows games begin . 2006-07-31 . 2023-02-02 . Linux.com.
  115. Web site: Jennie . Lees . Linux gaming made easy . 2005-12-04 . 2023-02-02 . Engadget.
  116. Web site: Salvator . Dave . Linux Takes on Windows Gaming . 2004-07-28 . 2023-02-02 . Extreme Tech.
  117. Web site: Elizabeth . Millard . TransGaming Updates WineX for Linux Gaming . 2004-06-24 . 2023-02-02 . Ecommerce Times.
  118. Web site: Angelo. M. PlayOnLinux vs Wine: The Differences. ImagineLinux. February 2, 2021. 2023-02-05.
  119. Web site: Opinion: Regarding the Linux Gaming. OSNews. Steve. Husted. 2004-09-13. 2024-04-06.
  120. Web site: Review: Mandrake 8.1 Gaming Edition opens Linux to more games, more users. F. Grant. Robertson. Linux.com. 2001-12-12. 2023-06-30.
  121. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20011225200125/http://www.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=01/10/22/0051250. TransGaming, Mandrake team up to bring PC games directly to Linux. NewsForge. 2001-10-22. 2023-05-30. 2001-12-25. Grant. Gross.
  122. Web site: Finally, it’s time for Wine. 2008-06-12. 2024-05-27. Steven J.. Vaughan-Nichols. Linux.com. According to White in a 2006 NewsForge interview, this forking caused Wine’s development to slow down for years. “Historically, the main interest for volunteer Wine developers was games; that was the primary focus for most of Wine’s early years (~1993-2000). When Transgaming started in 2001, they promised that they would release their DirectX improvements back to Wine. That cast a chill over games in Wine — why work on DirectX if all these improvements would ‘soon’ be coming back? Of course, no meaningful improvements have ever come back, which had the effect of creating a huge hole in what had been Wine’s very best facility.” By 2007, White says, “The Wine community had recovered from the hole created by Transgaming.”.
  123. Web site: The State of Linux Gaming 2011 . 2011-11-14 . 2012-01-12 . OSNews.com . In short: indie games are thriving on Linux. The Humble Bundles have not only helped publicize the games, but have also helped prove that there is an untapped market for games on Linux, and that Linux users have no problem paying to support the developers who support them..
  124. Web site: Why you should support Mac OS X and Linux. Jeffrey. Rosen. Wolfire Games. 2008-12-28. 2023-04-05.
  125. Web site: Humble Bundle creator on Ars' influence and why Linux is important . 2011-03-01 . 2011-03-02 . Ben . Kuchera . Ars Technica.
  126. Web site: GDC 2011: Humble Indie Bundle Creators Talk Inspiration, Execution. Game Developer. Kyle. Orland. 2011-02-28. 2023-04-05. Linux users tended to be the most generous of these, leading Graham to suggest indie developers go after underserved markets. "If you support Mac and Linux as an independent developer you have a good chance of doubling your revenue," Graham said..
  127. Web site: Linux Users Continue To Pay Most for the @Humble Indie Bundle . Joey . Sneddon . 2011-12-21 . 2012-01-12 . .
  128. Web site: LINUX USERS PETITION AGAINST 'HUMBLE BUNDLE V' DUE TO NON-NATIVE VERSION OF 'LIMBO' . Chris . Priestman . 2012-06-04 . 2012-06-14 . Indie Game Magazine . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120608074718/http://www.indiegamemag.com/linux-users-petition-against-humble-bundle-v-due-to-non-native-version-of-limbo/ . 2012-06-08 .
  129. Web site: LIMBO Dark Platformer Fully Native Linux Version Released, No More Wine . 2014-06-19 . Liam . Dawe . 2014-07-12 . GamingOnLinux.
  130. Web site: Humble THQ Bundle threatens to ruin the brand's reputation (Updated) . . Kyle . Orland . 2012-11-29 . 2012-11-29 .
  131. Web site: Humble subscription service is dumping Mac, Linux access in 18 days . Sam . Machkovich . January 14, 2022 . January 14, 2022 . .
  132. Web site: Voltely product page . 2023-02-05 . Entourev LLC . https://web.archive.org/web/20141222225801/http://www.entourevllc.com/product.php?id=0001 . December 22, 2014 .
  133. Web site: Native Linux Games . 2023-02-05 . Linuxexperten.com .
  134. Web site: Michael. Larabel. LGP Is Now Porting Shadowgrounds: Survivor . 2009-01-29 . 2023-02-04 . .
  135. Web site: An Interview with Liam Dawe, Owner of GamingOnLinux . 2022-04-20 . 2023-02-03 . Linux Gaming Central .
  136. Web site: Desura games now also for Linux. The H Online. 2011-11-18. 2024-07-03.
  137. Web site: cheese talks to himself – Desura Beta . 2011-10-11 . 2011-11-07 . twolofbees.com .
  138. Web site: The state of Linux gaming in the SteamOS era . 2015-02-26 . 2015-02-27 . Ars Technica.
  139. Web site: Will it be Desura's Linux client Vs USC? . M. . Zinoune . 2011-11-27 . 2012-07-02 . Unixmen .
  140. Web site: Dawe. Liam . 21 August 2011. Interview with Jonathan Prior of Gameolith.com . GamingOnLinux. 2023-02-04.
  141. Web site: A New Linux Game Store Is Launching Next Week. Phoronix. Michael. Larabel. 2011-07-11. 2023-02-18.
  142. Web site: Albanesius . Chloe . Valve Moves Forward With Steam for Linux | News & Opinion . PCMag.com . 2012-07-17 . 2014-03-18.
  143. Web site: Steam'd Penguins . . 2012-07-16 . 2012-07-16 .
  144. Web site: 'Left 4 Dead 2' to be first Valve game on Linux . Tracey . Lein . 2012-07-16 . 2012-07-16 . .
  145. Web site: Serious Sam 3: BFE headed to Steam Ubuntu . Brenna . Hillier . 2012-07-24 . 2012-07-24 . .
  146. Web site: Valve's Linux Play May Lead More Games To Follow Suit . Michael . Larbel . 2010-05-25 . 2012-10-29 . .
  147. Web site: Egosoft Wants To Bring Games To Steam On Linux . Michael . Larbel . 2010-11-18 . 2012-11-25 . .
  148. Web site: Editorial: Linux Gaming Will Be Fine Even Without Steam Machines Succeeding. GamingOnLinux. 2015-02-20. 2015-02-27.
  149. Web site: Unity 4.0 Launches. Marketwire. 2012-11-14. 2013-04-03.
  150. Web site: Valve reveals SteamOS . 23 September 2013 . 25 September 2013 . Eddie . Makuch . GameSpot . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130926171011/http://uk.gamespot.com/news/valve-reveals-steamos-6414851 . 26 September 2013 .
  151. Web site: The first official Steam Machines hit Oct. 16, on store shelves Nov. 10 . Brian . Crecente . June 4, 2015 . June 4, 2015 . .
  152. Web site: GOG.com Are Going To Support Linux, Confirmed!. Liam. Dawe. GamingOnLinux. 2014-03-18. 2014-03-18.
  153. Web site: GOG Com Now Officially Support Linux Games. Liam. Dawe. GamingOnLinux. 2014-07-24. 2014-07-24.
  154. Web site: GOG finally remove the false 'in progress' note about GOG Galaxy for Linux. GamingOnLinux. 2022-07-01. 2023-02-04.
  155. Web site: Lutris v0.5.12 out now fixing Origin, Epic Store, Ubisoft Connect, GOG. GamingOnLinux. 2022-12-05. 2023-02-04.
  156. Web site: GameHub is another open source game launcher, giving Lutris some competition. GamingOnLinux. 2019-03-18. 2023-02-05.
  157. Web site: Minigalaxy the simple GOG client for Linux has a big 1.0 release. GamingOnLinux. 2020-11-30. 2023-02-05.
  158. Web site: Heroic Games Launcher is a new unofficial Epic Games Store for Linux. GamingOnLinux. 2021-01-05. 2023-02-05.
  159. Web site: Unreal Engine 4.1 Update Preview. 2014-04-03. 2015-12-18.
  160. Web site: CRYENGINE adds Linux Support as Crytek Prepare to Offer New Possibilities at GDC. 2014-03-11. 2015-12-18.
  161. Web site: Dawe . Liam . 2014-12-29 . The Itch Games Store Are Working On An Open Source Client . 2023-02-02 . GamingOnLinux . en.
  162. Web site: Corcoran. Leaf. 14 December 2015. Say hello to the itch.io app: itch. Itch.io. 15 December 2015.
  163. Web site: Orphanides. K.G.. 8 August 2018. Crossing Platforms: a Talk with the Developers Building Games for Linux. Linux Journal. 2 February 2023.
  164. Web site: Prakash. Abhishek. 19 January 2023. Fantastic Linux Games and Where to Find Them. It's FOSS. 3 February 2023.
  165. Web site: Kerr . Chris . 2016-01-13 . Indie marketplace Game Jolt releases open source desktop client . Game Developer . 2023-02-03.
  166. Web site: Lee. Joel. 30 August 2015. Where to Download the Best Linux Games Without Any Hassle. MakeUseOf. 3 February 2023.
  167. Web site: Sohail. Mohd. 23 December 2016. Popular Gaming Platforms For Linux. LinuxAndUbuntu. 3 February 2023.
  168. Web site: Steam Play Proton To Improve Game Support For Linux Users. Alistair. Wong. Siliconera. 2018-08-25. 2023-04-04.
  169. News: Steam for Linux :: Introducing a new version of Steam Play. 2018-08-21. 2018-09-10. en.
  170. News: Changelog · ValveSoftware/Proton Wiki. 2018-07-31. 2019-12-08. en.
  171. News: Changelog · ValveSoftware/Proton Wiki. 2018-11-08. 2019-12-08. en.
  172. Web site: Dawe . Liam . 2020-09-07 . The itch.io app can now use a system installed Wine on Linux for Windows-only games . 2023-02-03 . GamingOnLinux . en.
  173. Web site: Kenlon. Seth. 2018-10-25. Lutris: Linux game management made easy. Opensource.com. 2023-02-05.
  174. Web site: Saive. Ravi. 2022-07-18. PlayOnLinux – Run Windows Software and Games in Linux. TechMint. 2023-02-05.
  175. Web site: Native Linux Games vs Windows API Compatibility Layers on the Steam Deck. Jack. Slater. Nuclear Monster. 2021-07-19. 2023-04-04.
  176. Web site: The Linux Gaming Conundrum: Proton vs. Native Linux Support. LateToTheParty. 2021-07-22. Publish0x. 2023-04-04.
  177. Web site: Prodeus cancels the Native Linux version, focusing on Proton compatibility (updated) . Dawe . Liam . September 6, 2022 . GamingOnLinux . en.
  178. Web site: Heart of the Machine from Arcen Games dropping Native Linux for Proton . Dawe . Liam . August 14, 2023 . GamingOnLinux . en.
  179. Web site: Valve answers the question: should developers do native Linux support or Proton?. Liam. Dawe. 2021-11-13. 2023-04-04.
  180. Web site: Dawe . Liam . 2022-02-25 . The Steam Deck has released, here's my initial review . 2022-02-27 . GamingOnLinux . en.
  181. Web site: Larabel . Michael . 2022-02-25 . For Linux Enthusiasts Especially, The Steam Deck Is An Incredible & Fun Device . 2022-02-27 . . en.
  182. Web site: Valve Explains How The Failure of Steam Machines Helped Build The Steam Deck . Tom . Marks . July 30, 2021 . July 30, 2021 . .
  183. Web site: Neo Geo X Gold & Mega Pack Volume 1 . Time Extension. Damien . McFerran . 2013-09-11. 2023-12-07 . It uses a Linux-based emulator running on a 1GHz Jz4770 system-on-chip.
  184. Web site: NES Classic Is a Quad-Core Linux Computer. Matthew . Humphries . 2016-11-07 . 2023-12-07 . PCMag.
  185. Web site: Hackers crack SNES Classic to add more games and features. Dan . Ackerman . 2017-10-09 . 2023-12-07 . CNET. Fortunately, the SNES Classic, like its predecessor, is basically a Nintendo emulator built on a Linux foundation, so it's not impossible to hack..
  186. Web site: Sega Genesis Mini review: $80 delivers a ton of blast-processing fun. Sam . Machkovech . 2019-09-12. 2023-12-07. Ars Technica. Let this look at the taken-apart Sega Genesis Mini remind you that, like other recent retro consoles, the SGM relies on a Linux-driven SoC..
  187. Web site: Takahashi. Dean. June 21, 2019. Intellivision Entertainment prepares for its rebirth on 10-10-20. January 7, 2020. VentureBeat. But our OS is a hybrid, a Linux/Android hybrid that we’ve created in house. It’s very solid, but it’s very flexible, with Linux being the flexible part and Android being the solid part..
  188. Web site: World's first RISC-V handheld gaming system announced — retro gaming platform uses Linux. Anton. Shilov. 2023-12-19. 2023-12-22. Tom's Hardware.
  189. Web site: Atari VCS gaming console Linux mini-PC finally available to pre-order. Sean. Portnoy. ZDNET. 2018-05-31. 2023-12-07.
  190. Web site: The Polymega is an all-in-one retro console worth your attention. Christopher. Grant. . 2021-09-03. 2023-12-07 . The Polymega is a software emulation-based console with a custom, Intel-backed motherboard running on Linux with a custom user interface..
  191. Web site: Game Gadget Review. Thomas. Welch. 2012-11-28. 2023-12-07. Calm Down Tom.
  192. Web site: Evercade review: the cartridge-based retro handheld that works . John . Linneman . . 2020-04-25. 2023-12-07 . Inside, the Evercade features a 1.2GHz Cortex A7 SoC running a customized Linux setup..
  193. Web site: Evercade EXP Review. GameSpot. Steven. Petite. 2022-12-16. 2023-12-07. The custom Linux operating system that the EXP runs borrows from the VS home console..
  194. Web site: Dawe . Liam . 2023-02-02 . Zoom Platform, a store aimed at 'Generation X' adds more Linux support . 2023-02-02 . GamingOnLinux . en.
  195. Web site: Steam Hardware & Software survey. July 2021.
  196. Web site: Where's the Unity stats page gone?. Unity Forum. en-US. 2019-05-14.
  197. http://hwstats.unity3d.com/pc/os.html Platforms Top on 2016-03
  198. Web site: Humble Budle data.
  199. Web site: Ubuntu Linux Gaming Performance Mostly On Par With Windows 8.1 . . 2013-10-27 . 2014-03-04.
  200. Web site: NVIDIA GeForce: Windows 10 vs. Ubuntu 15.04 Linux OpenGL Benchmarks Review - Phoronix.
  201. Web site: SteamOS gaming performs significantly worse than Windows, Ars analysis shows. November 13, 2015 .
  202. Web site: Budget Fair Queueing I/O Scheduler . March 7, 2014 . March 11, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140311090210/http://algo.ing.unimo.it/people/paolo/disk_sched/ . dead .
  203. Web site: Phoronix: Liquorix-benchmarks.
  204. Web site: Liquorix homepage.
  205. Web site: GameMaker Studio 2 update released to bring forth the Ubuntu Linux editor Beta. GamingOnLinux. Liam. Dawe. 2023-09-09. 2021-09-21.
  206. Web site: Fusion 3, the next generation game engine and editor from Clickteam will support Linux. GamingOnLinux. Liam. Dawe. 2016-09-27. 2023-10-28.
  207. Web site: Here's some alternatives to the Unity game engine. GamingOnLinux. Liam. Dawe. 2023-09-13. 2023-09-16.
  208. Web site: Unreal Engine 5 editor quietly gets a proper Linux version. GamingOnLinux. Liam. Dawe. 2022-07-20. 2023-09-09.
  209. Web site: Announcing the Unity Editor for Linux. Martin. Best. 2019-05-30. 2023-09-09. Unity Blog.
  210. Web site: Unity Technologies committed to supporting the Linux Editor for the Unity game engine. GamingOnLinux. Liam. Dawe. 2020-11-04. 2023-09-09.
  211. Web site: Scratch - Scratch Offline Editor .
  212. Web site: RPG Maker MV Comes to Linux. GameFromScratch. 2017-03-24. 2023-09-16.
  213. Web site: MKXP: Open-Source, Linux Engine To RPG Maker XP. Phoronix. Michael. Larabel. 2014-01-08. 2023-09-16.
  214. Web site: Solarus is a free and open source cross-platform game engine for 2D action-RPGs. GamingOnLinux. Liam. Dawe. 2020-03-06. 2023-09-17.
  215. Web site: Cheese talks to himself (about the SLUDGE engine). Cheese Talks. Bush. Josh. 2015-07-09. 2023-09-17.
  216. Book: Schrier Shaenfeld, Karen. Learning and Education Games: Volume Two: Bringing Games into Educational Contexts. 2016-04-10. 265 . Lulu.com . 978-1329703568 .
  217. Web site: Open Source Game Creation Software: Working in 2D. Bright Hub. October 7, 2009 .
  218. Web site: Make retro Game Boy games with the open source GB Studio, now with colour in the 2.0 Beta. GamingOnLinux. Liam. Dawe. 2020-08-26. 2023-09-17.
  219. Web site: Succeeding MegaZeux. Evelyn. Wood. fuzzy notepad. 2016-10-06. 2023-02-14.
  220. Web site: How to Run Mugen Fighter Natively in a Linux Environment. Arrows. Kevin. Appuals. 2023-04-28. 2023-09-20.
  221. Web site: IKEMEN Go Rollback Open Alpha Launches Today. Arthur. Blizen. DashFight. 2023-01-20. 2023-09-20.
  222. Web site: 2D game editor ct.js goes open source and it's closing in on a new major release. GamingOnLinux. Liam. Dawe. 2019-08-21. 2023-09-18.
  223. Web site: Pixelbox.js Game Engine. GameFromScratch. 2020-04-14. 2023-09-18.
  224. Web site: Superpowers, a HTML5 development environment for 2D & 3D games now open source. GamingOnLinux. Liam. Dawe. 2016-01-17. 2023-10-29.
  225. Web site: Make Quake With TrenchBroom. Rock Paper Shotgun. Craig. Pearson. 2013-03-12. 2023-09-17.
  226. Web site: TrenchBroom: Modern Cross Platform Map Editor For Quake 1. Linux Game Cast. Venn. Stone. 2013-03-01. 2024-01-02.
  227. Web site: J.A.C.K. Hammer Editor. TeTeOS.Net. Hasan. Merkit. 2022-03-22. 2023-09-17.
  228. Web site: Eureka offers a new option for Doom mappers. GamingOnLinux. Hamish. Wilson. 2012-12-16. 2023-09-17.
  229. Web site: How to install Slade 3 on a Chromebook. Linux Made Simple. 2021-02-01. 2023-09-17.
  230. Web site: 'ReDoomEd', a port of the original Doom level editor, was released on Linux. Daniel. Palacio. 2020-01-26. 2023-09-17.
  231. Web site: Free and open source level editor LDtk 1.0 is out now. Liam. Dawe. GamingOnLinux. 2022-03-30. 2023-02-06.
  232. Web site: OGMO Level Editor. GameFromScratch. 2019-11-18. 2023-09-17.
  233. Web site: Theodore. McKenzie. Tiled: A Flexible and Free-to-Use Level Editor. 2021-06-21. 2023-02-05. 80LV.
  234. Web site: A Guide Through The Linux Sound API Jungle. Poettering. Lennart. 0pointer.de/blog. 2008-09-24. 2014-03-04.
  235. Web site: Introducing NVIDIA GameWorks™ | NVIDIA Developer Zone . Developer.nvidia.com . 2014-03-02 . 2014-03-18 . October 21, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141021023820/https://developer.nvidia.com/content/introducing-nvidia-gameworks . dead .
  236. Web site: AMD Eyefinity Validated and Ready Software.
  237. Web site: Multi-monitor: Civilization V on A10-7850K "Kaveri" . dead . . July 2, 2014 . August 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220807161031/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Q0BN20BnRbg .
  238. Web site: Ports vs. Wine . GameSpy . Hills . James . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20010511055620/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/may01/wine/ . May 11, 2001 .
  239. Web site: An Interview With A Linux Game Porter. Phoronix. July 3, 2009. Larabel. Michael. Michael Larabel.
  240. Web site: Console Hacking 2015: Liner Notes. fail0verflow.com. 30 Dec 2015. 2016-01-02.
  241. Web site: Gamecube Linux Wiki . Gc-linux.org . 2010-08-18 . March 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180313040312/http://www.gc-linux.org/wiki/Main_Page . dead .
  242. Web site: A Gaming Mouse Vendor That Has Linux Drivers. Phoronix. October 5, 2010. Larabel. Michael. Michael Larabel.
  243. Web site: Roccat Linux Support Keeps Coming. Phoronix. September 5, 2011. Larabel. Michael. Michael Larabel.
  244. UpFront. Linux Journal. July 2005.
  245. Web site: Diehl . Mike . Free Games for Linux . . 2007-10-18 . 2007-12-04 .
  246. Web site: Main Page – FreeOrionWiki . Freeorion.org . 2010-08-18.
  247. Web site: Retrospec Head Over Heels Page . Retrospec.sgn.net . 2010-08-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061205013153/http://retrospec.sgn.net/games/hoh/ . December 5, 2006 . dead .
  248. Web site: The Spring Project . Spring.clan-sy.com . 2010-08-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111112171437/http://spring.clan-sy.com/ . November 12, 2011 . dead .
  249. Web site: Wilson . Hamish . 2022-09-12 . Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer - Part 18: Run Away and Join the Circus . GamingOnLinux . 2023-03-04.
  250. Web site: SteamOS & Linux Games. Steam Store. 3 May 2019.
  251. Web site: Commercial gaming: Can it thrive on Linux?. Linux.com. December 22, 2006. Barr. Joe. https://web.archive.org/web/20110515030352/http://www.linux.com/archive/articles/59180. 2011-05-15.
  252. Web site: Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer Part 30: Imperial Purple. GamingOnLinux. 2023-07-11. 2023-06-11. Hamish. Wilson.
  253. Web site: More Details On Unigine's OilRush Game. Phoronix. September 4, 2010. Larabel. Michael. Michael Larabel.
  254. Web site: Linux Client?. Syndicates of Arkon game forums. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101123031215/http://forum.syndicatesofarkon.com/en/forum_64/forum_66/thread_542. 2010-11-23.
  255. Web site: Michael. Larabel. 2013-03-31. There Isn't Too Much Progress On Unigine Linux Titles. 2023-02-13. Phoronix.
  256. Web site: Vera Blanc: Full Moon Released – Linux Gaming News . LinuxGamingNews.org . 2010-07-05 . 2010-08-18.
  257. Web site: Linux games . Winter Wolves . 2010-08-18.
  258. Web site: Mac and Linux Games . Hanako Games . 2010-08-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101029152405/http://hanakogames.com/mac.shtml . October 29, 2010 . dead .
  259. Web site: Hanako Games Linux Ports Are Coming – Linux Gaming News . LinuxGamingNews.org . 2010-06-16 . 2010-08-18.
  260. Web site: Sake Visual Indie Visual Novel Studio – Linux Gaming News . LinuxGamingNews.org . 2010-07-07 . 2010-08-18.
  261. Web site: Katawa Shoujo - Disabilities in a Dojin Visual Novel. Play This Thing. May 27, 2009. 2010-08-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20090627052547/http://playthisthing.com/katawa-shoujo. 2009-06-27.
  262. Web site: 2023-09-23 . Updated Dwarf Fortress comes to Linux, fixes those pesky marksdwarves . 2023-12-16 . Yahoo Finance . en-GB.
  263. Web site: Immortal Redneck, the FPS set in Egypt has arrived on GOG. Liam. Dawe. GamingOnLinux. 2017-08-23. 2023-04-08.
  264. Web site: Office Point Rescue - Out the Office is a wonderful homage to retro shooters. Liam. Dawe. GamingOnLinux. 2021-08-24. 2023-04-08.
  265. Web site: Deal with the infected and rescue survivors in the retro-arcade FPS 'Affliction Rescue'. Liam. Dawe. GamingOnLinux. 2020-11-10. 2023-04-08.
  266. Web site: Doorways: Holy Mountains Of Flesh, An Immersive Horror Adventure Now On Linux. Liam. Dawe. GamingOnLinux. 2015-10-31. 2023-04-08.
  267. Mielewczik . Michael . Spielspass pur. Kommerzielle Linux-Spiele. . PC Magazin LINUX . 2/2007 . 80-83.
  268. Web site: Civilization V Strategy Game Launches Natively On SteamOS Linux. Dawe. Liam. GamingOnLinux. June 10, 2014 . 2016-07-17.
  269. Web site: Interview With Aspyr Media About Civilization V & Linux Gaming. Dawe. Liam. GamingOnLinux. July 23, 2014 . 2016-07-17.
  270. Web site: Borderlands 2 Released For Linux With A Sale. Dawe. Liam. GamingOnLinux. September 30, 2014 . 2016-07-17.
  271. Web site: GamingOnLinux Interviews Feral Interactive About XCOM & Linux Game Development. Dawe. Liam. GamingOnLinux. June 26, 2014 . 2016-07-17.
  272. Web site: Bubble Shoot review.
  273. Web site: Wilson . Hamish . 2023-06-04 . Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer Part 29: The Odyssey . GamingOnLinux . 2024-01-29.
  274. Web site: Wilson . Hamish . 2023-01-16 . Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer - Part 21: Fluffy Bunnies . GamingOnLinux . 2023-02-02.
  275. Web site: Wilson . Hamish . 2023-08-08 . Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer Part 31: The Fear of Loss . GamingOnLinux . 2023-08-10.
  276. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20000823050748/http://www.crosswinds.net/~projectaon/download/index.htm. Download the Internet Editions. 2000-08-23. 2000-07-15. Aon Project. 2024-03-02.
  277. Web site: Hungry Like The Wolf: Seventh Sense. Rock Paper Shotgun. Kieron. Gillen. 2010-08-27. 2024-03-02.
  278. Web site: Decadence: Home Sweet Home on GreenLight. Revolution System Games posted Decadence on Steam for Linux.
  279. Web site: Linux only needs one 'killer' game to explode, says Battlefield director . October 12, 2013 . Polygon . 2014-03-18.
  280. Web site: PPC games made by Loki software – related posts LinuxGames. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131019170037/http://www.linuxgames.com/?s=PPC+loki. 2013-10-19.
  281. Web site: Candy Cruncher Linux Sparc . September 9, 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050909024159/http://www.linuxgamepublishing.com/info.php?id=10& . September 9, 2005 .
  282. Web site: Linux Game Publishing: Interview with Michael Simms . . March 6, 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050712080821/http://www.linuxgazette.com/node/10249 . July 12, 2005 .
  283. Web site: Dominions II: The Ascension Wars 2.12 . June 8, 2004 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131202235722/http://www.linuxgames.com/archives/6674 . December 2, 2013 .
  284. Web site: Build engine port backed by GZDoom tech 'Raze' has a 1.0 release with Vulkan support. Liam. Dawe. 2021-04-12. 2023-03-21. GamingOnLinux.
  285. Web site: Star Trek: Voyager Elite Force Holomatch Gets Free 20th Anniversary Re-Release. Lewie. Procter. wePC. 2020-08-13. 2023-03-25.
  286. Web site: Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer - Part 13: Looks Almost Unreal. Hamish. Wilson. GamingOnLinux. 2022-02-28. 2023-03-21. One of the selling points of Unreal Tournament pitched to the modding scene by Epic Games was its ability to load assets from the original Unreal into the new engine, further expanding the content base for what was already a highly modifiable game. After a few years this snowballed into a concerted community effort to make the entire Unreal singe player mode playable from within its own sequel, bringing it over to Linux in the process..
  287. Web site: The Chzo Mythos And Other Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw Games Updated For Linux. GamingOnLinux. Hamish. Wilson. 2015-01-20. 2023-03-21.
  288. Web site: MrCopilot . 17 December 2007. Free Quake: Open Source Gamer's Guide to Free Games . Yahoo! Voices. 2022-07-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20140619143824/http://voices.yahoo.com/free-quake-open-source-gamers-guide-free-games-701187.html. 2014-06-19. dead.
  289. Web site: Is Linux Good For Gaming?. Eldernode. Marilyn. Bisson. October 19, 2020 . 2023-03-20.
  290. Web site: 3 ways to play video games on Linux. Opensource.com. Seth. Kenlon. 2021-02-07. 2023-03-20.
  291. Web site: Options for Linux Gamers. M.. Zinoune. Unixmen. 2023-03-19.
  292. Web site: Marchant. Layla . The Gaming Trap. The Diligent Circle. GitHub Pages. 2021-03-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20191125215630/http://onpon4.github.io/articles/gaming-trap.html. 2019-11-25. dead.
  293. Web site: Lunduke . Bryan . 2015-10-30 . The Gaming Paradox: There just aren't enough Free and Open Source video games . Network World. 2023-02-11.
  294. Web site: Proton vs Native: Is There Really A Difference?. Boiling Steam. podiki. 2022-02-09. 2023-04-04.
  295. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20011110102425/http://www.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=01/10/23/013232. Loki's Draeker: Why run Windows games on Linux?. 2001-10-24. 2023-05-30. 2001-11-10. Grant. Gross. NewsForge.
  296. Web site: GOG have gone on the offensive with their new 'FCK DRM' initiative. Liam. Dawe. 2018-08-22. 2023-02-07. GamingOnLinux.
  297. Web site: The Humble DRM-Freedom Sale is live, plenty of Linux titles available. Liam. Dawe. 2018-07-02. 2023-02-07. GamingOnLinux.
  298. Web site: Is Linux Good For Gaming?. Eldernode. Marilyn. Bisson. October 19, 2020 . You can also play through the terminal; Of course, it depends on your expectations and definition of the game! But if the goal is entertainment, the Linux terminal offers you funny and nostalgic choices..
  299. Web site: 12 Amazing Terminal Based Games for Linux Enthusiasts. Aaron. Kili. 2016-08-15. 2023-03-19.
  300. Web site: Best Command Line Games for Linux. Linux Hint. Nitesh. Kumar. 2021. 2023-03-19.
  301. Web site: 4 Best Ways to Play Retro Games on Linux. 2018-08-27. Divine. Okoi. FOSS Mint. 2023-03-20.
  302. Web site: 7 Ways to Play Old Windows & DOS Games on Linux. MakeUseOf. Christian. Cawley. 2016-06-28. 2023-02-16.
  303. Web site: How to play Windows games under Linux. My Abandonware. 2023-02-09.
  304. Web site: Chakraborty. Angsuman . 20 August 2007. How To Play Doom, Heretic, Hexen & Strife in Linux (Free). The Gaea Times. 2022-07-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20120415141519/http://tech.gaeatimes.com/index.php/archive/how-to-play-doom-heretic-hexen-strife-in-linux-free/ . 2012-04-15.
  305. Web site: Running Caldera OpenLinux 1.3 in QEMU. Ryan. Armstrong. 2020-12-27. 2023-02-18. Zerk Zone.
  306. Web site: The one in which I kind of get Corel Linux 1.2 to work 21 years later.. Box of Cables. Hayden. Barnes. 2019-09-07. 2024-05-27.
  307. Web site: Remembering Loki's Linux games from the '90s. Jim. Lynch. InfoWorld. 2016-09-07. 2023-02-26.
  308. Web site: Wilson . Hamish . 2021-03-22 . Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer - Part 4: Installing Red Hat Linux 7.3 . GamingOnLinux . 2023-02-02.
  309. Web site: Wilson . Hamish . 2023-02-20 . Building a Retro Linux Gaming Computer - Part 26: Coming to You Live . GamingOnLinux . 2023-03-01.
  310. Web site: SuperGamer, 8GB of Linux-Only Gameplay. Linux Journal. Shawn. Powers. 2010-01-14. 2023-03-01.
  311. Web site: How-to Become a Linux Gamer. Linux Journal. Miguel. Hernandez. 2010-04-29. 2023-03-01.
  312. Web site: Top 10 browser games you should be playing in 2022. Abraham. FOSS Linux. December 24, 2022 . 2023-03-19.
  313. Web site: From Valve to the Cloud: How Linux Gaming is Going to Evolve in 2022. Computing for Geeks. Josphat. Mutai. 2023-01-05. 2023-03-19.
  314. Web site: Forget Windows, forget OS X, forget Linux: Humble Bundle is going truly multiplatform. Polygon. Ben. Kuchera. 2014-10-14. 2023-03-19.
  315. Web site: Options for Linux Gamers. M.. Zinoune. Unixmen. 2023-03-19. The ever increasing popularity of social gaming is a definite threat to traditional forms of gaming. Social gaming comes in many forms, but an obvious example would be games that can be played on Facebook and other social networking websites where games and statistics can be viewed and shared online with a player’s friends. This form of gaming is very limited as the games that can be played via social networks are usually targeted towards casual gamers and not the hardcore PC type. I don’t see social gaming becoming an immediate threat to native gaming in the near future and will probably remain a casual space..
  316. Web site: How To Play Flash Games On Linux. Travis. 2022-10-09. Systran Box. 2023-03-19.
  317. Web site: HTML5 Games Are Improving - Perfect For Ubuntu & Linux. ashar_oz. 2017-07-26. Ubuntu Buzz.
  318. Web site: Cloud Gaming Services: Explained and Tested on Linux. Boiling Steam. markd. 2020-11-25. 2023-03-19.
  319. Web site: Play Any PC Game On Your Linux Machine With Cloud Gaming Or Game Streaming. Parsec. Jamie. Dickson. Benjy. Boxer. 2023-03-19.
  320. Web site: Why Linux is a more attractive gaming platform?. Atalay. Kelestemur. Cloud7 News. 2023-03-18. 2023-03-19.
  321. Web site: Stadia is Google's New Gaming Service Powered by Linux & Open-Source Tech. OMG Ubuntu. Joey. Sneddon. 2019-03-19. 2023-03-19.
  322. Web site: Stadia Is Google's Cloud Based Game Platform; Powered by AMD, Linux and Vulkan, Due in 2019. Alessio. Palumbo. wccftech. 2019-03-19.
  323. Web site: Cloud Gaming, or a good reason to create Linux version of a game. drawcode.eu. 2012-06-22. bapt.
  324. Web site: Amazon Is Hiring DXVK, Mesa & Proton Linux Developers For Luna Cloud Gaming in Mesa. Michael. Larabel. 2021-12-14. Phoronix.
  325. Web site: Canonical Gets Into Cloud Gaming & More With Anbox Cloud For Cloud-Based Android Apps/Gaming. Michael. Larabel. Phoronix. 2023-03-19. 2023-03-19.
  326. Web site: Open source cloud gaming, play remote games for free. HelpWire. 2022-04-26. 2023-03-19.
  327. Web site: How to play Windows games in Linux. PC Gamer. Corbin. Davenport. 2019-06-21. 2023-03-18.
  328. Web site: Hands on with WSLg: Running Linux GUI. Bleeping Computer. 2021-05-29. 2023-03-18. While Hedgewars is not a Linux-only game, I wanted to include it to show that even games can run under WSLg. While WSLg is likely not designed for gaming, the fact that you can play games using it shows the full depth of this new feature..
  329. Web site: 3 good ways to run Linux on Windows. https://web.archive.org/web/20230319033347/https://www.hpe.com/us/en/insights/articles/3-good-ways-to-run-linux-on-windows-2007.html. 2023-03-19. Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Steven. Vaughan-Nichols. 2020-08-03. 2023-03-18.
  330. Web site: How to Run Linux Software on Windows. GeeksforGeeks. Amruth. Kiran. 2022-11-07. 2022-03-18.
  331. Web site: Fun with the Windows Subsystem for Linux. Windows Developer. Pete. Brown. 2016-07-22. 2023-03-18.
  332. Web site: Building 0verkill on Windows 10 Subsystem for Linux - 2D ASCII art deathmatch game. Scott. Hanselman. 2018-01-12. 2023-03-18.
  333. Web site: Gaming on Linux... on Windows. Nicholas. Murray. 2022-01-08. Medium. 2023-03-18.
  334. Web site: Running Graphical Programs on Windows Subsystem on Linux. Tom. Fenton. Virtualization Review. 2017-02-08. 2023-03-18. Blockout worked flawlessly, which surprised me as it is an extremely graphics-intensive application..
  335. Web site: Windows Subsystem for Linux 2: The Complete Guide for Windows 10 & 11. Craig. Buckler. SitePoint. 2022-09-01. 2023-03-18.
  336. Web site: Why Microsoft's Windows Subsystem for Linux Is Not As Novel As It Sounds. Channel Futures. Christopher. Tozzi. 2017-09-19. 2023-03-18.
  337. Web site: Creating a Linux-Windows hybrid system with Cygwin. Ken. Hess. Red Hat. 2020-10-29. 2023-03-18.
  338. Web site: Cygwin review part 1: Running Linux programs… on Windows?. Hamish. McIntyre-Bhatty. 2018-05-21. 2023-03-18. Can you run games? I have absolutely no idea, but I would guess the answer is no, because of the lack of hardware access. I did have a quick look for games like Neverball and Extreme Tux Racer, but they were nowhere to be found. When I follow this up, I’ll look a bit harder, and maybe try compiling them. Really, it’s kind of pointless, because you could just run the games in Windows..
  339. Why Microsoft Making Linux Apps Run on Windows Isn't Crazy. Wired. Klint. Finley. 2016-03-30. 2023-03-18.
  340. Web site: LibTAS FAQ. 2023-03-18. If you have Windows 10, the easiest way is to use WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) to run libTAS. Otherwise, you can install a Linux distribution (e.g. Ubuntu) on a virtual machine (e.g. using VirtualBox)..
  341. Web site: Naughty Dog Still Uses Old School Linux and Cygwin Command Line Tools; TLOU Panel Coming Next Week. DualShockers. Giuseppe. Nelva. 2014-06-06. 2023-03-18.
  342. Web site: Using Cygwin for SDL Development. No Quarter Arcade. 2023-03-18.
  343. Web site: The Pros and Cons of Using Windows Subsystem for Linux. MakeUseOf. David. Delony. 2022-01-21. 2023-03-18.
  344. Web site: Linux on Windows: This new upgrade allows you to run graphical apps simply and effectively. Tech Republic. Simon. Bisson. 2021-04-23. 2023-03-18. Mesa3D support should help developers using WSL 2 to port games to Linux, as well as allowing complex Unix CAD applications and other design tooling to use WSLg to work on Windows, without needing a full port. If you’re worried about application support, we’ve yet to find anything that didn’t work over WSLg. We’ve been able to run Ubuntu desktop tools, classic Unix games like Nethack’s X11 port, Linux games from Steam, a host of different editors and IDEs, the LibreOffice productivity suite, as well as Microsoft’s own Edge browser (using it to stream video and audio). The experience of using Linux applications on Windows is much like running Windows applications on macOS via Parallels..
  345. Web site: A player's journey: How I learned to love Android gaming. Nicholas. Montegriffo. NextPit. 2017-10-30. 2023-04-26.
  346. Web site: The 4 Best Android Game Consoles Out Right Now. Kian. Joy of Android. 2022-12-20. 2023-04-26.
  347. Web site: Android Authority. 15 best Android games available right now. Joe. Hindy. 2023-04-01. 2023-04-26.
  348. Web site: Best Android games in 2023: Top picks across every category. Android Police. Matthew. Sholtz. 2023-04-19. 2023-04-26.
  349. Web site: Are Chromebooks Good for Gaming?. Google. 2024-02-25.
  350. Web site: Chromebook gaming: Everything you need to know. Pocket Lint. Luke. Baker. 2022-01-30. 2024-02-25.
  351. Web site: How Chrome OS is great for gaming Chromebooks can be easily picked up for gaming now. Chrome Ready. Matt. Dalton. 2022-03-30. 2024-02-25.
  352. Web site: Best gaming Chromebooks 2024. Hilda. Scott. 2023-01-02. 2024-02-25. Laptop Mag.
  353. Web site: The Best Chromebooks for Gaming in 2024. Brian. Westover. 2023-11-22. 2024-02-25. PCMag.
  354. Web site: Google supports cloud-gaming Chromebook laptops for gamers. Dean. Takahashi. 2022-10-11. 2024-02-25. Venture Beat.
  355. Web site: GeForce NOW Comes To ChromeOS. The Gamer. Sean. Murray. 2020-08-18. 2024-02-25.
  356. Web site: Google introduces Chromebooks geared for cloud gaming. Tech Crunch. Ivan. Mehta. 2022-10-11. 2024-02-25.
  357. Web site: "Gaming Chromebooks" with Nvidia GPUs apparently killed with little fanfare. Andrew. Cunningham. 2023-08-18. Ars Technica. 2024-02-25.
  358. Web site: A new ChromeOS gaming overlay puts touch-based Android games on your PC. Richard. Lawler. The Verge. 2022-09-02. 2024-02-25.
  359. Web site: How to run games on a Chromebook. The Verge. David. Nield. 2023-07-08. 2024-02-25.
  360. Web site: Steam is Coming to Chromebooks with Ubuntu-based "Borealis" Feature. Joey. Sneddon. 2020-07-02. 2024-02-25. OMG Ubuntu.
  361. Web site: Your Chromebook will be getting a massive gaming performance boost soon. Kent. Duke. 2021-04-15. 2024-02-25. Android Police.
  362. Web site: How to play open-source retro games in your Chromebook's Linux terminal. 2022-04-22. Michael. Perrigo. Chrome Unboxed. 2024-02-25.
  363. Web site: Windows games on ChromeOS with Proton. Renato. Pereyra. 2023-01-24. 2024-02-25. ChromeOS.
  364. Web site: How to Install Windows Programs and Games on Chromebooks. Mihir. Patkar. MakeUseOf. 2018-02-20. 2024-02-25.
  365. Web site: Steam for Chromebooks could be right around the corner. Will. Sattelberg. 2021-08-06. 2024-02-25. Android Police.
  366. Web site: How to Play Games on Your Chromebook. PCMag. Whitson. Gordon. Jason. Cohen. 2024-02-21. 2024-02-25.
  367. Web site: Steam enters beta on ChromeOS 108 following seven-month alpha period. NeoWin. Paul. Hill. 2022-11-03. 2024-02-25.
  368. Web site: Playing Epic Games on ChromeOS - A Heroic Games Launcher Tutorial. Ian. Williams. CrosExperts. 2022-09-19. 2024-02-25.
  369. Web site: Best ChromeOS games in 2023. Richard. Devine. Arif. Bacchus. 2024-01-06. 2024-02-25. XDA-Developers.
  370. Web site: Laptop Mag. Best Chromebook games 2024. Henry T.. Casey. Shamar. Washington. 2023-12-26. 2024-02-25.
  371. Web site: Top 10 Games to Play on Chromebook. TechPP. Suman. Chakraborty. 2023-08-29. 2024-02-25.
  372. Web site: Top 10 PC games to dive into on your ChromeOS. Chrome Ready. Matt. Dalton. 2023-09-16. 2024-02-24.
  373. Web site: Steam on Chromebooks is a joke — 5 reasons it hasn't gotten an official release. Kimberly. Gedeon. 2023-08-24. 2024-02-25. Laptop Mag.
  374. Web site: So-called 'gaming Chromebooks' are a con – here's why. Christian. Guyton. 2022-12-10. 2024-02-25. Tech Radar.
  375. Web site: Lenovo's IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook proves hardware isn't what's holding back cloud gaming. Michael. Gariffo. 2022-12-01. 2024-02-25. ZDNET.
  376. Web site: Solène. Rapenne. Top 12 best opensource games available on OpenBSD. Data Swamp. 2021-03-07. 2023-02-06.
  377. Web site: Michael. Larabel. Running Steam's Linux Build On FreeBSD Is Becoming Increasingly Capable For Gaming. Phoronix. 2021-03-07. 2023-02-07.
  378. Web site: Loki and BSDi partner to certify Linux games for BSD. Linux.com. JT. Smith. 2000-08-15. 2023-07-01.
  379. Web site: Michael. Larabel. Homura Is A Windows Game Launcher For FreeBSD - Supports Steam, Origin, UPlay + More. Phoronix. 2019-09-22. 2023-02-09.
  380. Web site: Michael. Larabel. Steam Gaming On PC-BSD. Phoronix. 2014-12-14. 2023-03-01.
  381. Web site: Michael. Larabel. FreeBSD: A Faster Platform For Linux Gaming Than Linux?. Phoronix. 2011-09-07. 2023-02-09.
  382. Web site: FreeBSD Gaming. https://web.archive.org/web/20180120071320/http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/bsd/2001/03/22/Big_Scary_Daemons.html. 2018-01-20. Michael. Lucas. 2001-03-22. 2023-07-09. ONLamp. If you're running KDE or Gnome, you already have a few simple games installed. I'm not a fan of either desktop -- both strike me as bloated and obtuse -- but their games packages are a nice way to pick up a dozen simple favorites such as Solitaire, Asteroids, and Tetris..
  383. Web site: 2011-07-17 . Tweak It: PS3 GameOS . 2022-04-23 . TheSixthAxis . en-US.
  384. Web site: Anthony. Sebastian. PS4 runs Orbis OS, a modified version of FreeBSD that's similar to Linux. ExtremeTech. 2013-06-24. 2023-03-20. 2020-11-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20201118102620/http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/159476-ps4-runs-orbis-os-a-modified-version-of-freebsd-thats-similar-to-linux. live.
  385. Web site: What hackers know of the Nintendo Switch so far. 9 March 2017. Wololo.net. 13 March 2017.
  386. Web site: Shabir . Swaira . 2021-07-25 . Mini World: First Native HarmonyOS Game Now Available On AppGallery . 2023-04-26.
  387. Web site: Bates . Kryzt . 2023-04-10 . Developed based on the Cocos 2dx engine, the game "Happy Match" was successfully ported to OpenHarmony . 2023-04-25 . Gaming Deputy.
  388. Chalmers. Rachel. June 1999. Sun Releases Tool To Make Linux Apps Run On Solaris. AUUGEN. 29. Australia. AUUG. 2023-03-05. But the real strength of Linux over Solaris is the availability of games. Kay reveals, "If you've got a developer who's been doing heads-down coding for hours, they might want to take a break to use the latest greatest games," she chuckles. "If games are available on Linux now you can get them and use them on your new Solaris workstation. Managers like making sure that kind of thing is available to their creative end users.".
  389. Web site: Fun in the Sun. https://web.archive.org/web/20180914144058/http://sungames.com:80/. Sun Games. 2018-09-14. 2023-03-01.
  390. Web site: Games. Oracle Solaris Blog. 2008-10-30. 2023-02-28.
  391. Web site: Games. GNU-Darwin. 2023-03-03.
  392. Web site: Getting Nostalgic With the Historical Coherent Operating System. It's FOSS. Bill. Dyer. 2022-12-28. For a small package, it was remarkably complete. Not only was it a standalone operating system, but came with a big box of goodies, such as a Bourne Shell, C compiler, assembler, debugger, DOS disk support, uucp, at least three editors, some games, mail, and around 200 of the most used and useful UNIX commands..
  393. Web site: SerenityOS Ports - Games. 2023-03-05.
  394. Web site: SerenityOS, the 90's Windows-like Unix system built from scratch by one man as a therapeutic project. Gearrice. Adam. Straker. 2022-08-26. 2023-03-05. Among the ports already available we can find those of several popular video games such as Quake (I and II), Half-Life (since last January), Doom or VVVVVV, which complement own developments of the project’s collaborators.
  395. Web site: Trying Out Redox. Redox OS. 2023-04-25.
  396. Web site: The Current State & Plans For Porting Linux/BSD Software To Redox OS. Phoronix. Michael. Larabel. 2024-02-13. 2024-02-24. While not yet having accelerated graphics and their Wayland support is still some ways out, they have ported some games/emulators to Redox OS already like DOSBox, Neverball, OpenTTD, ScummVM, 2048, and others..
  397. Web site: ToaruOS - Unix-like "hobby" operating system. codewalr.us. gameblabla. 2016-11-08. 2023-04-25. I ported Helicopters, one of my games, just to show you how easy you can port games to it..
  398. Web site: How we ran a Unix-like OS (Xv6) on our home-built CPU with our home-built C compiler. Fuelled by Coffee. Takaya. Saeki. 2020-10-04. 2023-04-25. However, some teams put more energy into doing fun such as running games or playing music by connecting a speaker with their CPU. Group 6, to which I belonged, was a group of such people who loved entertainment, and we decided to run an OS as our team goal..
  399. Web site: Packages. Fiwix. 2023-04-25. lxdoom-1.4.4.
  400. Web site: Porting NetBSD Userland to MINIX 3. 2018-10-28. MINIX 3 Wiki. 2023-03-03.
  401. Web site: Bug#679330: marked as done (ioquake3: Add support for GNU/Hurd). Debian. 2012-07-05. 2023-03-04.
  402. Web site: Game Programming with the Simple DirectMedia Layer. ACM Digital Library. Bob. Pendleton. SDL officially supports Linux, Windows, BeOS, Mac OS, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, BSD/OS, Solaris and IRIX. SDL also works with Windows CE, AmigaOS, Atari, QNX, NetBSD, AIX, Tru64 UNIX and SymbianOS. However, those OSes are not yet officially supported. This means if you write your application using SDL, you can port it with minimal rework to all those OSes. SDL provides a portable way to write games and multimedia applications on every major OS currently in use..
  403. Web site: The nightmare of getting DOOM running on PowerPC AIX. OSNews. Thom. Holwerda. 2022-05-21. 2023-03-05.
  404. Web site: Your Next Desktop… QNX?. Hackaday. Al. Williams. 2017-05-03. 2023-03-05. The rest of the adventure went fairly well. He managed to build SDL and port over some games..
  405. Web site: FORTRAN Computer Games. The Cyber Vanguard. 2022-11-18. Remake of Battle Zone (1986) by Justin S. Revenaugh for Apollo Domain/OS, using the GPR graphics library. The game was later ported as XBZONE to X11..
  406. Web site: Games/Arcade. HP-UX Porting and Archive Centre. 2023-03-04.
  407. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20070320130133/http://www.sgi.com/fun/freeware/games.html. SGI - Freeware - Games. 2007-03-20. 2023-03-04.
  408. Web site: SuperTuxKart IRIX Screenshots. SupterTuxKart.de. 2023-03-04.
  409. Web site: Exploring Microsoft's forgotten Unix distribution. John. Knight. Linux Magazine.
    1. 246
    . May 2021. 2023-03-18. Thankfully XENIX users weren't all business, and there are at least a few games available for the system. Although the IMG file from Archive.org wouldn't work, we found a working disk image from YouTube user MentionedBefore, who provides a link below his XENIX 2.3.1 VirtualBox tutorial. The disk comes with Worms (not the famous DOS game!), Rogue, Hack, and Trek, plus fortune and mathrec. (And there is a terminal-based version of Tetris somewhere out there!) Once installed, the executables for the games/amusements are found under /usr/games.
  410. Web site: Caldera Skunkware X11 Games. SCO Skunkware. 2001-07-06. 2023-03-05.
  411. James. Armstrong. Les. Kent. 32-bit desktop operating systems. 1993-11-22. 75. InfoWorld. United States. IDG Communications, Inc.. 2023-03-05. Once a user is logged in, a window displays a number of icons that group some standard applications: Accessories, Applications, Preferences, Disks, Games, Shutdown, System Setup, Utilities, and Folder Maps. User can open any file or folder by double clicking on the appropriate icon..
  412. Web site: Open Source Software Collection for Tru64 UNIX V5.1A. CLASSE. 2014-12-09. 2023-03-05.
  413. Web site: 1.6GHz Alpha to be fastest Quake chip on planet. The Register. Mike. Magee. 1999-09-06. 2023-03-05. The beast is not designed for Windows - its OS preference a version of real time Tru64 using current OpenGL for the platform. Real time versions of Tru64 might be used in a high end arcade game console, with workstations using a more "normal" Tru64 Unix with OpenGL. Quake and Quake 2 are native on Alpha Linux platforms..
  414. Web site: Lynx + Linux = ... Lynux. ZDNET. Rick. Lehrbaum. 2000-05-08. 2023-03-05.
  415. Web site: ULTRIX - Reference Pages for Unsupported Software. Digital Equipment Corporation. Section 6: Games - The reference pages in this section describe the games that are available in the unsupported software subset.. June 1990. 2023-03-18.
  416. Web site: Thematic Download Pages. The DECWindows Archive. Patrick. Moreau. 2003-01-02. 2023-04-07.
  417. Web site: Downloads: Games. OpenVMS Hobbyist Program. 2023-04-07.
  418. Web site: Minecraft on Z/OS. Aaron. Kippins. Charlie. Ropes. Brad. Huntington. IBM Corporation. 2020-05-21. 2023-03-17.
  419. Web site: How to Execute Rexx Using Zowe CLI. Medium. Dan. Kelosky. 2020-01-03. 2023-03-17. You can even use it make text-based games on z/OS! A talented colleague of mine, coyote time, created a Rexx Yahtzee game to help him learn the language.
  420. Web site: Porting Doom to A/UX. OSNews. Thom. Holwerda. 2022-06-09. 2024-01-28.
  421. Web site: Fiddling with NeXTSTEP. posts.boy. 2011-12-29. 2023-03-18. This screenshot shows Facebook, looking rather broken, and DOOM in the front. id Software used NeXT systems to create the famous first person shooter. Relying on the Objective-C based development environment to create most of the tools, like the level editor..
  422. Web site: Before Mac OS X: What Was NeXTSTEP, and Why Did People Love It?. Benj. Edwards. How-To-Geek. 2020-08-24. 2023-03-18.
  423. Book: Sanglard, Fabien. Game Engine Black Book: DOOM. 2018-12-10. 103 . Chapter 3: NeXT . 978-1099819773 .
  424. Web site: Interviews - Dave Taylor, Transmeta. GA-Source. James. Hills. 1999-06-19. 2023-03-21. Anyway, so it felt almost natural to do weird things. Here was a company where hundreds of thousands of dollars changed hands depending on moods and stories, Nextstep was the development environment, and showing up to work and seeing something truly miraculous in John Carmack's office or the art room about once a week was the norm. So when I started calling various workstation vendors like IBM, Sun, SGI, and asking they send workstations in exchange for typing "make", no one was terribly surprised. It was just one more of the weekly miracles, and a lesser one at that. "Oh look. There's our game running in a window on 5 architectures and as many OS's. Huh.".

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Video games and Linux".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.