Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Jimmy Higgins · 08-12-2003, 11:33 AM

We have people here who treat the Linux Penguin as an Idol. So I'm wondering is there any reason why I shouldn't have Linux. Games come straight to mind. Can Linux play games, other than Railroad Tycoon Platinum?

matthias j. · 08-12-2003, 11:41 AM

Sure.

About every game with an Q-engine can easily be played on linux as do games derived from the new Unreal Warfare engine. Most other games can be played if you're prepared to make a little effort. (check http://www.transgaming.com/ )

Mister Impossible · 08-12-2003, 11:58 AM

I'm not a Linux expert, but I do have some experience.

I've found there are certainly quite a few games which have been ported to Linux such as, if I remember correctly, Quake, Unreal and Unreal Tournament to name a few.

Theres also the option of installing Wine (accronym: Wine Is Not an Emulator - its Linux humour, you'll get used to it), which allows you to run many Windows apps from Linux. Beware though - Wine is not for the feint-hearted and, while there are tons of Wine scripts available for many apps and games, it can still be 'fun' geting them to work.

Also, you need to be aware that DirectX isn't available for Linux. M$ won't do that for obvious reasons, though I'm told there are certain work-arounds. OpenGL, on the other hand, is available and, tbh, OpenGL is better anyways.

Linux is the better OS. Its tons more stable than Windows, has much better security 'out of the box', runs like greased-lightning, has a massive support base (anyone can add to it) and it's free.

Oh yeah, you can run Windows and Linux on the same box with LiLo dual booting as well.

Give it a go would be my advice. It doesn't cost anything and, while there's a lot to learn, the rewards are great.

Have fun.

seebs · 08-12-2003, 12:54 PM

I really do have to figure out how to get Baldur's Gate II to run on my Linux box, I'd never have to boot Windows again.

ashe · 08-12-2003, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy Higgins
We have people here who treat the Linux Penguin as an Idol. So I'm wondering is there any reason why I shouldn't have Linux. Games come straight to mind. Can Linux play games, other than Railroad Tycoon Platinum?

Many popular games get ported to Linux, or can be run via WINE or WINEX.

But you cannot pickup a Windows game off the shelf at the store and install it under Linux, in most cases.

Remember, when you say: "Can Linux play games?" , the answer is naturally yes. Any games written for Linux work great.

But the question you are really asking is: "Can Linux play games written specifically for Windows?" The general answer to this question is no. (with some exceptions.)

I like Linux alot for non-gaming reasons and although I used to miss playing games on my PC, I generally just play on the PS2 now. I don't have Windows anymore anyway.

-ashe

pariah · 08-12-2003, 03:20 PM

Linux can play games made for linux. There are more than you would think.

http://members.rogers.com/ctmlinux/linuxgames.html

Linux can use windows API's to play windows games as well, if you install certain software.

Graeme · 08-12-2003, 03:56 PM

I run a dual-boot system with Libranet 2.8 (debian) linux on one partition and WinXP on another. The WinXP has ALL network services disabled so it's effectively offline permanently. All I have installed on it are copies of GTA Vice CIty, Rise of Nations, UT2k3 and Warcraft III.

90% of my computing time is spent in the linux OS.

Autonemesis · 08-12-2003, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ashe
I like Linux alot for non-gaming reasons and although I used to miss playing games on my PC, I generally just play on the PS2 now.

Speaking of PS2, doesn't Linux have an open-source Playstation / PS2 / Gameboy / 80's arcade ROM / Genesis / Atari / Nintendo emulator? I think it's called MAME, if memory serves. I think there's also a port to Windows, so you can plan your console games there, too.

That's not a shabby game library.

seebs · 08-12-2003, 07:55 PM

MAME doesn't do the PS2, and probably not even the PS. It emulates *ARCADE* machines, not home consoles.

B34RZ0R · 08-13-2003, 04:31 AM

Well I have used a few different distros from of our favorite little PenuineOS series and I have only recently become curious about the gaming aspect. I found out that UT2K3 has the linux installers already on the CD's!~ thought sadly when I did my first attempt at an install it on my newest SuSE 8.2 it tried to load it to /dev/fd0

:banghead: wtf? Ok I have to say thanks to the people who put links up in here - I will be investigating those in detail when I get up later today.. almost time to go home and go to bead (I love overnights

)

Be Well
Bear

Edited to add: I too am considering just playing games on my PS2 - I will just have to get the keyboard and mouse for controls! I cant stand trying to play FPS's with a game controller.

08-12-2003, 11:33 AM	#1
Jimmy Higgins Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Proud Citizen of Freedonia Posts: 42,473	But can Linux play games? We have people here who treat the Linux Penguin as an Idol. So I'm wondering is there any reason why I shouldn't have Linux. Games come straight to mind. Can Linux play games, other than Railroad Tycoon Platinum?

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08-12-2003, 11:41 AM	#2
matthias j. Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Belgium/Ghent Posts: 191	Sure. About every game with an Q-engine can easily be played on linux as do games derived from the new Unreal Warfare engine. Most other games can be played if you're prepared to make a little effort. (check http://www.transgaming.com/ )

08-12-2003, 11:58 AM	#3
Mister Impossible Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 298	I'm not a Linux expert, but I do have some experience. I've found there are certainly quite a few games which have been ported to Linux such as, if I remember correctly, Quake, Unreal and Unreal Tournament to name a few. Theres also the option of installing Wine (accronym: Wine Is Not an Emulator - its Linux humour, you'll get used to it), which allows you to run many Windows apps from Linux. Beware though - Wine is not for the feint-hearted and, while there are tons of Wine scripts available for many apps and games, it can still be 'fun' geting them to work. Also, you need to be aware that DirectX isn't available for Linux. M$ won't do that for obvious reasons, though I'm told there are certain work-arounds. OpenGL, on the other hand, is available and, tbh, OpenGL is better anyways. Linux is the better OS. Its tons more stable than Windows, has much better security 'out of the box', runs like greased-lightning, has a massive support base (anyone can add to it) and it's free. Oh yeah, you can run Windows and Linux on the same box with LiLo dual booting as well. Give it a go would be my advice. It doesn't cost anything and, while there's a lot to learn, the rewards are great. Have fun.

08-12-2003, 12:54 PM	#4
seebs Contributor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 24,524	I really do have to figure out how to get Baldur's Gate II to run on my Linux box, I'd never have to boot Windows again.

08-12-2003, 03:20 PM	#6
pariah Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: الرياض Posts: 6,456	Linux can play games made for linux. There are more than you would think. http://members.rogers.com/ctmlinux/linuxgames.html Linux can use windows API's to play windows games as well, if you install certain software.

08-12-2003, 03:56 PM	#7
Graeme Banned Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 5,447	I run a dual-boot system with Libranet 2.8 (debian) linux on one partition and WinXP on another. The WinXP has ALL network services disabled so it's effectively offline permanently. All I have installed on it are copies of GTA Vice CIty, Rise of Nations, UT2k3 and Warcraft III. 90% of my computing time is spent in the linux OS.

08-12-2003, 07:55 PM	#9
seebs Contributor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 24,524	MAME doesn't do the PS2, and probably not even the PS. It emulates ARCADE machines, not home consoles.

08-13-2003, 04:31 AM	#10
B34RZ0R Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lost in the Ether, Minnesota Posts: 1,436	Well I have used a few different distros from of our favorite little PenuineOS series and I have only recently become curious about the gaming aspect. I found out that UT2K3 has the linux installers already on the CD's!~ thought sadly when I did my first attempt at an install it on my newest SuSE 8.2 it tried to load it to /dev/fd0 :banghead: wtf? Ok I have to say thanks to the people who put links up in here - I will be investigating those in detail when I get up later today.. almost time to go home and go to bead (I love overnights ) Be Well Bear Edited to add: I too am considering just playing games on my PS2 - I will just have to get the keyboard and mouse for controls! I cant stand trying to play FPS's with a game controller.

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