The best of the best in free computer gaming software technology
There are many games out there, but only this handful of free games passed my quality standards. I know about the Java, and other one-player online games, but they had malicious code, including adware, spyware, etc. For me, a game must be able to install on your computer without any need for the Internet, except to download the program. Online play is ok, and I will mention if a game below has that option. All software listed is under the GNU GPL, is for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and is open-source. Ask yourself if you need good, free games before continuing to read this article. Tux Racer is, at the time of publication, at version 0.61 (which means it is not final), but is still fully functional. The goal is to get Tux, the Linux mascot, down a hill as fast as you can, without stopping, and collect as many herrings as you can. The score is based on time and how many herrings you’ve collected. For more information, go to www.tuxracer.com. It is my opinion that Tux Racer is very addictive, so play it in moderation. You should stop play if you feel any side effects, such as pain in the neck, anger, and grouchiness. Other side effects may still exist. You should not play Tux Racer if you have motion sickness or if you have a video card that was made before 2002. xBill is available on many OS, including the Palm and Linux for the PDA. The story is you are system administrator running various Unix-based OS, and someone is attacking your computers with a virus named Wingdows™ that is disguised as a popular OS. The goals are stop the hoards of people trying to install the virus, put out the fires on the LAN, and reinstall the “stolen” OS. xBill is also very addicting and, according to the Linux Journal, xBill is more popular than Quake. For more information, and to download xBill, go to www.xbill.org Scorched 3D is a remake of the old DOS game, Scorched Earth, but made with a 3D graphics engine. You start out playing a 3D tank game, but you can play online multi-player games with up to 24 other people. There are over 30 tanks that are selectable, even some fictional, and, being open source, Tux is selectable. Plus, after each round, you get to buy weapons, like nukes, with the money that you collected by destroying other tanks and vehicles. There are all sorts of add-ons, as with the other games like Scorched. Castle-Combat is a strategy game where you are supposed to attack your enemy’s base, while at the same time, building your defenses and repairing walls. The first player to fail at repairing their walls loses. This also has one computer and online multi-play, up to four people. For more information, and to download, go to www.linux-games.com/castle-combat. Anyone who plays these games will be supporting a good cause; you’ll be sending a message to the guys at Microsoft and big game publishers. Give them a try. The fact they are free does not mean they are poor quality. They may not look as good as Halo 2, but the gameplay will remind you why you play games; fun.
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