Running Ubuntu Linux on an old laptop and want to know if there are any games I can get for this system, ideally free downloadable games?
Unfortunately you don’t specify which version of Ubuntu Linux you’re running, but I’m going to make the assumption that you either have the latest or can upgrade to the latest version, 15.10. Not sure how to do that? Read this: How to Upgrade Your Ubuntu Linux System.
The big computer games from companies like Electronic Arts, UbiSoft and Telltale Games tend not to include Linux support, but there are a lot of more casual games you can download for free and enjoy on your Ubuntu system nonetheless, so it’s not all dire! Having said that, be prepared, a lot of them are more hobbyist software apps than shiny programs from development teams with artists on staff. But that’s rather the spirit of Linux anyway!
To start, boot up Ubuntu and look for the Ubuntu Software Center on the launchbar:
Once you launch it, you’ll see that it’s a slick app that seems perhaps a wee bit inspired by the App Store on a Mac system:
Look on the lower left side where there are categories and you’ll see Games. Click on it!
Now you’ll be able to peruse the catalog of Linux games:
I like just about all these categories of games, and notice under the chevron graphic that there’s a pointer to “All 655” games. That’s a lot of games!
Click on Board Games to see what’s on the list. I scrolled down just a bit to a game called “Kiriki”:
Notice I can “Install” the program directly from this point, or can click on “More Info” to learn more about the game prior to downloading and installing. I’ll do the latter, let’s have a quick peek:
What’s amusing about this description is that Yahtzee is a game based on another dice game called Yacht, and the developer has called this Kiriki to avoid trademark issues with Hasbro, owner of the Yahtzee brand. But then uses “Yahtzee” anyway. Ah well, looks interesting, so I’ll click on “Install”.
Oh, wait, you need to log in as root to allow the Ubuntu Software Center to install a program:
Once authenticated, the installation is quite speedy and it’s just a few moments before I’m running Kiriki and rolling my dice for the first time:
That’s it. Now, with a 1, 2, 5 and two 6’s, what would you work towards in Yahtzee Kiriki? 🙂
Though I haven’t used it because I’m not into games, Valve’s Steam game service supposedly supports Ubuntu.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Valve
The post makes no mention of Steam which has a Linux version and 1700 odd games available.. There are many free ones.
Or Desura which is another games platform which has 750+ games for Linux, many are free.
http://www.gog.com/ sell loads of old classics for Linux.
Or Humble bundle who sell bundles of games, many with very low hardware requirements and many with Linux versions.. You can also buy games cheap for Linux from the Humble bundle store.
Other places to get game bundles include Indie Gala and Bundle Stars..
Great additions, Steve! Steam is definitely a must for any gamer, and both Desura and Humble sound darn interesting too!