Ubuntu Unleashed 2017 Edition (2017)

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It’s easy to activate the proprietary driver if you need to; from the Dash search for “additional drivers.”

Installing a different hardware driver requires super user privileges, so a confirmation check is run to determine whether you are permitted, and then you are asked for your password. After the Hardware Drivers dialog window has opened, read the descriptions and look for the recommended entry for your hardware, highlight it, and click Activate at the lower right. Ubuntu confirms that you want to use the proprietary driver and, if you agree, automatically downloads and configures the relevant driver. If you want to revert to the open driver then do the same thing but select the activated driver and click Remove at the lower right, as shown in Figure 8.1, in the same place where the previously mentioned Activate button was.

FIGURE 8.1 Use the Additional Drivers manager to activate or deactivate the appropriate proprietary graphics driver for your graphics card.

Steam

Steam is a cross-platform entertainment platform. When you install it on Ubuntu, you get access to a ton of games and other fun things. Some of these are free, but most require you to pay. Steam has become the primary method that most current Linux-based gamers use these days to find, install, and play.

Steam has grown into the premier source for quality professional games on Linux and for a lot of indie content as well. Steam is created by Valve Software, usually referred to as just “Valve,” a well-established gaming company with a great reputation because of games like Half-Life.

On September 16, 2013, Gabe Newell, the cofounder and managing director of Valve, said that Linux is the future of gaming despite its current minuscule share of the market, and the Steam website proclaims Ubuntu as Steam’s favorite version of Linux. Steam is Newell’s company’s means of pursuing that future.

To learn more about Valve and about Steam, see www.valvesoftware.com/ and http://store.steampowered.com/.

Installing Games in Ubuntu

In this section, you learn how to install some of the more popular games for Ubuntu, all of which can be easily installed using Ubuntu Software Center, along with hundreds more listed under Games. Alongside the usual shoot-’em-up games, you’ll also find one or two strategy-focused titles.

Warsow

Warsow is a free and fast-paced first-person shooter (FPS) game that is available on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Members of the Ubuntu community have packaged the game and make it available directly and easily for Ubuntu users from the software repositories. The game involves quick movements, grabbing power-ups and weapons before your enemies do, and trying to plant a bomb and steal your enemy’s flag without anyone seeing you. You can jump, dash, dodge, and even wall jump your way throughout the colorful 3D environment. Figure 8.2 shows a game just getting started, with lots of weapons, platforms and ramps, and power-ups in sight. There are many other FPS games available, such as Alien Arena, Urban Terror, Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, Smokin’ Guns, Nexuiz, World of Padman, and Cube 2: Sauerbraten.

FIGURE 8.2 Warsow is one of the newest and fastest FPS games available.

Scorched 3D

Scorched 3D is based on an old DOS game called Scorched Earth. The object and game play are similar: There are multiple players, and you enter targeting details to try to destroy the other players using a variety of missile-like weapons. You earn points for each win and can buy new weapons at the end of each round. This time around, there is an amazing array of weapons available, and the game play is completely in stunning 3D, as shown in Figure 8.3.

FIGURE 8.3 Scorched 3D in action.

Scorched 3D is based on turns. Each player shoots once, and then all other players take a shot before the first player shoots again. The game allows you to have more than 20 players at the same time, including both human and computer-controlled players. You may play a local game, over a LAN, or even over the Internet. Scorched 3D runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, so you may play with your friends regardless of what platforms their computers use.

Frozen Bubble

Frozen Bubble is an amusing little game with sharp graphics, nice music, and easy game play. You may play alone or against another player. The goal is to use your colored marbles to knock down the ones above you within a certain amount of time. You have to hit at least two at a time that are the same color as the one you shoot for anything to fall; otherwise, your shot joins the menagerie above and brings your demise somewhat more quickly, as illustrated in Figure 8.4. There is a lot more to Frozen Bubble, but even with the details it is easy enough for a child to play and interesting enough to hold the interest of most adults.

FIGURE 8.4 Move left or right to aim, press up to fire.

SuperTux

Many of us grew up in the era when game play was more important than graphics. Even so, we still liked flashy and pretty-looking games. SuperTux is a throwback to the Mario era. It is a 2D side scroller in which you jump, run, and occasionally shoot something if you have the appropriate power-up. This time, your hero is Tux, the Linux penguin. More than 25 levels are available, as is a level editor for you to create your own. If you enjoy running, jumping, hitting your head to get money, and jumping on your enemies, this game is for you. Figure 8.5 gives you the basic look and feel.

FIGURE 8.5 Although the look and feel of this game takes me back to my childhood, it is far from dull or boring.

Battle for Wesnoth

One of the most popular games currently available for Linux is Battle for Wesnoth (see Figure 8.6), a strategy game featuring both single and multiplayer options. Based in a fantasy land, you are responsible for building armies to wage war against your foes who are attacking you. Game play may be based on scenarios, such as in single-player mode where some scenarios are preinstalled and others may be easily downloaded, or based on trying to better your friends at a LAN party or online.

FIGURE 8.6 Flex your strategic brain by playing Battle for Wesnoth, a rich and full land of fantasy of adventure.

Battle for Wesnoth also comes with a map editor that lets you create your own scenarios. An active community shares their work and welcomes new contributions. You can find more information about Battle for Wesnoth at http://wesnoth.org/.

Frets on Fire

Frets on Fire is similar to games like Guitar Hero, as seen in Figure 8.7. Players try to keep up with a song and “play” it correctly. It supports songs from Guitar Hero I and II and, unlike these proprietary games, is expandable by the community, as well, with more songs available for download from the Internet. The game is completely open source and has content-compatible versions for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X.

FIGURE 8.7 Frets on Fire offers flashy graphics and familiar game play.

FlightGear

If you like flight simulators, you should try out FlightGear (see Figure 8.8). It is cross platform, sophisticated, and fun. It is completely open source and developed by volunteers, but it’s also very professional looking and smooth. If you like this, you can also try others, such as Thunder and Lightning, GL-117, and Search and Rescue II.

FIGURE 8.8 FlightGear features stunning landscapes and technically accurate control panels.

Speed Dreams

There are many racing games available. One of the newer ones is Speed Dreams (Figure 8.9), which started as a fork of an older racing game, TORCS. It features a variety of tracks, vehicles, and options. Speed Dreams is open source, free, and multiplatform. Similar games include TORCS, Rigs of Rods, vDrift, Tile Racer, Trigger, and Mania Drive.

FIGURE 8.9 Many views of the race are available, including one from your car’s hood.

Games for Kids

Kids, both young and old, are not left out. Check out game packages such as gCompris, Childsplay, and TuxPaint to get started. Some of these are educational, some teach computer skills such as using a mouse or a keyboard, and others are just for amusement. Many developers are also parents who have placed a high priority on making quality software for their children to enjoy on their favorite platform. You can search for children’s games in the Ubuntu Software Center and find lots of great things to try.

Commercial Games

Something new in the past few years is that Ubuntu and Canonical have made a way for commercial software companies to make their products available for installation in Ubuntu via the Ubuntu Software Center. This includes games. A special section of the Ubuntu Software Center labeled For Purchase has been created. Look here for some new and flashy options from commercial vendors. Payment is required, and the details are taken care of within the Ubuntu Software Center.

One interesting and cool option is the Humble Indie Bundle from www.humblebundle.com/, which is a collection of cross-platform software made by independent developers with a “pay what you can” price tag. These bundles are made available intermittently, and sometimes you can find them available directly from the Ubuntu Software Center. This is a great way to find some fun games with a low cost while feeling good about supporting people who write software for fun.

Playing Windows Games

Ubuntu is primarily aimed at desktop computer users who want a system that is stable, powerful, and easy to use. It is not primarily a gaming platform. In fact, compared to Windows, there are not nearly as many games available or being developed (although the number is growing and has improved). This doesn’t mean hard-core gamers need to feel left out, though. There are two projects that exist to help game lovers play most Windows-based games on Linux.

A project called Wine uses application interfaces to make Windows programs believe they are running on a Windows platform and not a Linux platform. Bear in mind that Wine, which is a compatibility layer, stands for Wine is not an emulator, so do not start thinking of it as such—the community can get quite touchy about it! Although the open-source, free software project won’t run everything, it does run a very large number of Windows programs, including many games.

Crossover Games is another commercial option available in the Ubuntu Software Center under For Purchase.