LINUXGAMES

Hot on the heels of 0.9.1, version 0.9.2 of FreeCol has been released to fix a few bugs.

Download: [ freecol.org ]

Illwinter Game Design released a patch for the turn-based strategy game Dominions 3: The Awakening this week; changes include:

• Eliminated nations are now also shown in the graphs.
• Spell AI improved regarding when to cast Arrow Fend, Gift of Flight and Legions of Steel.
• Could get some kind of mine even though all site slots were full, fixed.
• New monster modding commands: #inquisitor, #shatteredsoul, #banefireshield, #uwdamage, #popkill.
• Some units like the vampire now actually takes damage from being under water, just like they were supposed to.
• Description changed for Maggots to better correspond with its true effect.
• Djinn is now a unique monster.
• Increased maximum number of messages a player can send on a given turn.
• Fixed crash during turn generation.
• Support for PulseAudio on linux.
• New resolutions 1024*600 and 1024*576 (for netbooks).
• Dominions could crash when changing video preferences, fixed

You can also follow future patch changes at the dev blog. If you’re not familiar with the game, this “Let’s Play!” thread at the Something Awful forums is a good primer.

Download: [ shrapnelgames.com ]

id Software’s browser-based derivative of Quake III: Arena, Quake Live, recently celebrated it’s first year anniversary with the addition of a new map, Fallout Bunker, and a retrospective article:

The number of people that registered when the QUAKE LIVE Beta opened far exceeded our wildest expectations. Over a quarter million players created accounts right after its launch and that was through word of mouth only! Since that time, players have spent over 8.9 million hours in over 60 million ranked matches, earning an impressive 8 million awards and 810 million frags.

[...]

In our effort to provide continued support for QUAKE LIVE we have made many changes and additions to the game over the course of the past year. Since launch we’ve introduced ‘Duel Detective’, coupled with improved matchmaking features that allows players to locate other players with similar skills. We have also extended our platform support to include Mac OS X and Linux users.

We’ve also launched pro Team DeathMatch and Instagib CTF servers, made extensive hit registration improvements and added Shoutcasting features and competition settings.

id has also announced that QuakeCon 2010 will be taking place August 12-15 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, TX.

Speaking of, Guild Software has updated their space combat MMO Vendetta Online to version 1.8.117 for subscribers. Among the features recently added:

• Conquerable space stations
• A revived bounty system
• In-game event notification
• New ships and badges

Guild Software has announced the release of NAOS:

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, March 6th 2010. Award-winning independent game developer Guild Software, Inc has announced the upcoming launch of a new MMO middleware product: the NAOS Engine. Developed to power their long-running, continuously-upgraded retail MMORPG, Vendetta Online, this engine provides a complete and multi-platform solution, with native client build targets for Windows, Mac and Linux. The highly scalable distributed game server uses lightweight Erlang threading to provide persistent handling of hundreds of thousands of individual NPCs and other game elements, with seamless management as they transition across running/non-running boundaries in the game universe. A well-proven update/patch server and client are also included, the server allowing optimized binary patching and user queues for rate limiting and overflow. The update client supports redundant failover to multiple patch server clusters, and includes automated client crash reporting, with fetching and submission of auto-generated tracebacks via HTTP to a proprietary bug tracking system. Finally, a completely custom Lua/FastCGI-based web content management system, with proven billing, messageboard, mailing list and administrative features, rounds out the server solution, creating a nearly-complete package for the prospective MMO developer. All server software can be run on either FreeBSD or Linux, and works well with existing RDBMS solutions such as MySQL or Oracle, as well as DBMS such as Mnesia. Beyond the use of a database for persistency, an integrated RDF triple-store is in development to more elegantly enable applications such as advanced AI, simulated-economics, and monitoring tasks.

The NAOS Engine will be available either as a complete licensed source package, or individual components may be licensed separately at a reduced cost. The product is expected to launch in the year, and will be followed by the NAOS Platform, a cloud-based MMO development solution which also includes scalable hosting, with sliding pricing based on usage and revenue, to help startup MMO developers focus purely on their games.

A new patch for OpenArena, a free software first-person shooter that is multiplayer oriented, has been released. This release has the following new items and improvements:

• New effects: rocket smoke, shotgun sparks, flares
• New maps
• Improved maps
• Improved CTF skins for Angelyss
• New skins for Beret and Assassin

Download: [ OpenArena Patch 0.8.1 to 0.8.5 ]

Stellar Forces, a multi-player strategy game that is similar to Laser Squad or X-Com missions, has released a new version. This game is completely free to play – all you need to do is register on their website, which then allows you to connect to other players and play as many games as you wish.

Download: [ Stellar Forces 1.02 ]

Version 0.8.3 of netPanzer, a warfare, tactical, real time, fast action, network game, has just been released. New items in this release include:

• added a Mac OS X universal binary of netPanzer.
• added screenshoot function (press F9).
• added any resolution support (>= 640×480) and resizable window.
• added sound configuration (volume, enable/disable).
• added some new maps done by community.
• new unit selection modes, double and triple click.
• player flags appears in chat messages.
• player name appear over tanks (configurable, press “n”).
• new ally system (check “TAB”).

Download:[ netPanzer 0.8.3]

The latest development release of Wine, which allows you to run Windows programs on Unix, has been announced. This release has the following new items contained within it:

• Support for Wow64 registry redirection.
• Increased coverage of MSI standard actions.
• Various Wordpad improvements.
• Many shell fixes for better IE support.
• Improved support for typelibs.
• Better GL card detection.
• Various bug fixes.

Download: [ Wine 1.1.40 ]

Version 0.9.1 of FreeCol has been announced. This is purely a bug-fixing release that does not add any new features. The most notable bug squashed is one that prevented the REF from landing in the New World after you declare independence.

Download: [ FreeCol 0.9.1 ]

This post was submitted by burschik.

Version 2.0.0 of FlightGear, an open source flight simulator, has been released. Major new developments and features in this release includes the following:

• Dramatic new 3D clouds
• Dramatic lighting conditions
• Improved support for custom scenery
• Many many new and detailed aircraft models

Download:[ FlightGear 2.0 ]

Version 1.3.0 of Chocolate Doom (as it strives to emulate Vanilla Doom) has been released with new features like more flexible key binding and scores of bugfixes.

Download: [ sourceforge.net ]

We received a release announcement for Galcon Fusion, an update to the real-time strategy game Galcon:

Like its predecessors, Galcon Fusion is a fast-paced multi-player galactic arcade-strategy game, now with improved HD graphics, a full soundtrack, and a variety of exciting new multi-player modes! Galcon Fusion launched on February 11 on Steam and direct on www.galcon.com/fusion for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Developer, Phil Hassey, created the original prototype in just two days for the Ludum Dare 48-hour game development competition in 2006. Galcon was such a hit with the Ludum Dare crowd that Phil decided to rework it into a multi-player desktop game. In 2008, Phil ported the game to the iPhone where Galcon distinguished itself as the first multi-player strategy game in the App Store. Galcon went on to win the Independent Game Festival Innovation in Mobile Game Design award in 2009. With the introduction of Fusion, Galcon comes full-circle back to the desktop, with all new graphics, missions, and more!

Game features include:

• Beautiful new HD graphics
• Full-length interactive soundtrack
• Multi-player, team games, and solo missions
• Achievements and detailed rankings
• Variety of games including Stealth and Assassin
• Retro-mode for when you want to LIVE THE 80’s!!
• Colorblind support for up to 4 players

I am a huge Galcon fan (it was the only RTS I spent any degree of time with last year), so it’s gratifying to see a revamped desktop version hit the Linux platform.

Demo Download: [ galcon.com ]

The latest development release of Wine, which allows you to run Windows programs on Unix, has been announced. This release has the following new items contained within it:

• Support for registry symbolic links.
• Many MSI fixes.
• Build process improvements.
• MSXML cleanups and fixes.
• A number of MSHTML improvements.
• Various bug fixes.
Download: [ Wine 1.1.39 ]

Helsingborg, Sweden – 19th of February 2010

From the makers of the Penumbra series comes a brand new survival horror game, Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Today we are happy to announce the release of the game’s web site and a first look at actual in-game footage, in the form of a horrifying teaser.

“We recently finished a massive testing session of the game to much success. With that behind us we now know how Amnesia will play like and what it takes to finish it. This means we feel confident in moving forward and sharing more juicy details about the game. This includes crucial things such as availability, pricing and what the game is all about.”
- Thomas Grip, Co-founder.

Web site
General information about the game, screenshots and a teaser are the main additions to the heavily updated web site . We have also added information about how to pre-order and where the final game will be available for purchase. Check back for future updates with new screens, information and, as release draws closer, a demo.

The web site also features something of a first in the history of computer games – the “pre-order-o-meter”. Watch as blood fill up for every new pre-order placed! If we reach 2000 pre-orders before end of May, new content will be added to the game.

http://www.amnesiagame.com/

Teaser
Take a deep breath and prepare yourself to experience the first real gameplay video released. This teaser gives a first look at what sort of experience we are aiming for when playing Amnesia, it lasts for over three minutes and consists of one single clip. The idea is to convey as clearly as possible that the player is in control of the character throughout the whole game. There are no cut-scenes or any sort of moments where control is taken away to force the narrative forward.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEHPwAvrc_U

Status of Amnesia: The Dark Descent
The game is now up and running on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X! All platforms have participated in the recent testing session and performed over expectations. We are pleased to announce that the game will get a simultaneous release on all platforms!

Many companies seem to view the PC as a “dying gaming platform” and we see this as a great opportunity. Amnesia is a modern 3D game that from the very beginning has been created with the PC in mind. It has modest demands on the PC hardware compared to recent console ports and because of this we are able to make sure a broader audience can experience the game as intended.

Release and availability

With an estimated release date of August 2010, you can pre-order it now for USD16 and save 20% on the release price of USD20. The pre-order is available at our own online store and is for the digital download version of the game. At the release in August the game will be available for purchase in just about any of the major online stores. Further details can be found at the Amnesia web site and more information will be released shortly. A boxed version for retail release is also planned and information will be released as it becomes available.

http://www.amnesiagame.com/#buy

About Frictional Games
We are a small independent game developer located in the south of Sweden or, to be more precise, located on the Internet – the company is office-free. We develop unique technologies in form of a game engine and tools that are tailored specifically after the games that we create. Currently with a crew of five in-house and a network of contractors to utilise during production we can be dynamic and efficient, increasing production at key moments. Visit http://www.frictionalgames.com/ for more information.

Also make sure to visit our blog, http://frictionalgames.blogspot.com/, to follow our work in progress and to participate in the discussions about game development, design, horror and other related topics.

This post was submitted by trained circus idiot.

Winter Wolves Releases Dating/Farming Sim: The Flower Shop

Official Game page

Game screenshots:

Winter Wolves, developers of several award-winning dating sim and visual novels, has announced the release of The Flower Shop, a dating and farming simulation.

“I wanted to create a story with universal appeal, with strong romantic elements and enchanting artwork. Life, love, and family are something we all deal with, and all the characters are connected. The decisions of player affect not only his or her relationships, but the way the characters interact with each other.” – said Celso Riva, game designer/programmer of the game.

The game takes place in Fairbrook, a small farming community in northern California. Steve is a college freshman with relationship troubles. His girlfriend just dumped him, and his father is angry at him for his poor grades. As punishment, Steve is sent to work on his uncle’s farm for the summer in the hope that he’ll learn self discipline. Although he initially resents the idea of spending a summer toiling away in a small town away from his home, he soon makes friends with many of the people in the community of Fairbrook. Among his new friends are three charming girls each with her own hopes and dreams. Will one of these relationships bloom into romance, will Steve make up with his girlfriend, or will this summer leave him alone?

Everything depends on the heart and determination of the player.

The game features beautiful anime-style artwork, a scheduler that allows players to plan their weeks, and a farming sim where players can grow and sell crops. With nine variable endings that change based on your interaction with characters, The Flower Shop is a sweet and engaging tale for everyone.

This post was submitted by rei1974.

Santa Cruz, California – A new version of Bridge Construction Set has been released with community created map packs which add more than 100 new levels to the game. These map packs have been created by players from around the world and are being included with Bridge Construction Set for the first time. Get Bridge Construction Set now for only $19.95 and be eligible for a discount on Pontifex III when it is released (everyone who has purchased Bridge Construction Set from chroniclogic.com will have an opportunity to order Pontifex III at a discounted price):

If you have already purchased Bridge Construction Set then download the latest version here

Look up your registration information and download the new version here

Try Bridge Construction Set for free

Triptych is now on sale for only $6.95. If you have been waiting to get your hands on the full version of Triptych now is your chance! Get it while its hot.

Order Triptych now for $6.95:

Triptych and Bridge Construction Set are available for Windows, OSX and Linux.

A reader notified us of the Syntensity project, a virtual gaming world where you can “easily create your own games using the well know Sauerbrauten (Cube) map editor and JavaScript”. They’ve been working on a browser plugin, so soon you should be able to play the game in-browser!

A new alpha release of The Goblin and the Butterfly, a free 2nd MMORPG, has been released. Changes in this release:

• scripted stories implemented
• prophets and heralds will give informations about running scripted stories in local chat
• haircut depends on gender and race
• more pathes on maps, to help players not to get lost
• minor bugfixes

Download: [ The Goblin and the Butterfly 1.0.0.8 ]

This post was submitted by the_piper.

Frictional Games, makers of the Penumbra series, have recently blogged that their new game “Amnesia: The Dark Descent” has reached the alpha stage of development for all platforms and is expected to be released in a couple of months. Check out their website for a couple of screenshots. The game looks extremely dark to me but from what I can tell it does look like a very interesting game.

This post was submitted by trained circus idiot.