Linux turns 30: a first look at free and open source gaming
Linux celebrates its 30th anniversary today, and there’s no better way to mark the occasion than by spotlighting some of the best free and open source games available on the platform. Whether your taste runs to real-time strategy, first-person shooters, space trading, roguelikes, racing, or platformers, the ecosystem has something to offer. Many of these titles also run on Windows and macOS, so the fun isn’t limited to Linux users.
SuperTuxKart
No roundup of Linux games would be complete without a nod to Tux, the Linux kernel’s iconic mascot. Tux stars in SuperTuxKart, an arcade racer packed with characters, tracks, and game modes. You can race against the CPU, challenge friends on a LAN, or compete with strangers online. Fans of Mario Kart or Sonic All Stars Racing will feel right at home.
Astute players may recognize some of the other racers: Wilber from GIMP, Pidgin, and Konqi from the KDE community all make appearances.
Oolite
Described as an open-world space opera, Oolite draws direct inspiration from David Braben’s classic Elite. You’re free to carve your own path through the galaxy: become a feared pirate, a shady trader, a mercenary, or just scrape together a living however you can.
The game’s community has created more than 500 expansion packs, adding new ships, missions, weapons, and other content.
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead
Cataclysm: DDA is a roguelike set in a procedurally generated post-apocalyptic world full of zombies and nuclear wastelands. While primarily text-based, it does offer tilesets for those who prefer graphics.
The project is remarkably active, with over 1,300 contributors. Recent additions include new crouching mechanics, fixes for in-game computer terminals, lakes, and flyable helicopters. Contributors can get started with as little as a bit of JSON editing—adding new NPCs, monsters, missions, and content is often that simple.
The Battle for Wesnoth
Battle for Wesnoth is a turn-based strategy title featuring campaigns that span elves, dwarves, orcs, trolls, humans, and more. Hundreds of people have contributed maps, campaigns, features, and bug fixes over the years.
New contributors can create their own maps, campaigns, or units, contribute art or music, help with translations, or work on the AI. A word of caution: with thousands of very positive reviews on Steam, this one is known to be addictive.
Warzone 2100
In Warzone 2100, Earth’s new strategic defense system malfunctions and unleashes a wave of nuclear strikes that wipes out nearly all of humanity. Your mission is to rebuild civilization—though there are a few obstacles standing in the way.
Originally developed by Pumpkin Studios and released in 1999, Warzone 2100 was open sourced in 2004 under GNU GPL v2.0 or later. The project is now entirely community-driven and continues to receive regular updates from hundreds of contributors.
Yorg
Yorg is an arcade-style racing game with a wide selection of cars, tracks, powerups, and weapons. You can race against AI opponents or challenge friends in local and online multiplayer. It was created by Ya2, a small indie studio based in Rome, using Panda3D, an open-source, cross-platform game engine for Python and C++.
OpenTTD
If you played Transport Tycoon Deluxe back in the day, OpenTTD will look familiar. This open source recreation of the original adds substantial new features, including multiplayer for up to 255 players, significantly larger maps, and the ability to build on slopes and coasts.
C++ developers interested in contributing can consult the project’s CONTRIBUTING.md for details on what the team is working on.
Teeworlds
Teeworlds is an easy-to-learn but hard-to-master mix of retro platforming and shooting, playable as an MMO with up to 16 players. You can customize your character, create your own maps, or explore community-made ones. Originally created by Magnus Auvinen, it is now open source and community-maintained.
Unvanquished
Unvanquished is an FPS strategy hybrid that pits superhuman soldiers against stealthy alien foes. As a human, you engage with long-range firepower; as an alien, you favor close combat and ambush tactics. The goal in either case is to destroy the enemy’s base.
The game has been in development for ten years, launching its first release in February 2012. It has seen monthly releases since, with the latest being the 0.52.1 beta, which includes a flatpak for easier installation across Linux distributions.
AstroMenace
For those who grew up on Galaga, 1942, or R-Type—or who simply enjoy blowing things up in space—AstroMenace delivers a classic shoot-em-up experience. It was developed and published by Russian indie developer @viewizard.
The project is currently seeking translators to help make the game more accessible in more languages.
That’s ten games to start with. Tune in for the next installment covering ten more free and open source Linux titles.
