16 of the Best Free Linux Game Engines (Part 1 of 2)
Game engines offer huge benefits to game developers. The main
functionality they provide is the
library of core functions used in a computer game. This often
includes a realtime rendering engine for 2D or 3D graphics, physics
engine with collision detection, a character animation system, scene
graph, sound, artificial intelligence, threading, networking, input,
streaming localization support, debugging tools, integration with
languages, and the provision of performance monitoring and optimization
tools.
Game engines play a crucial role in the fast creation and
development of computer games. As they offer a collection of visual
development tools, and are often presented in an integrated development
environment, they vastly accelerate the development of games. Game
engines are referred to as "game middleware" because they provide a
flexible and reusable software platform.
However, game engines are not only used in the creation of
games. We find them being used in a whole diverse range of projects
such as educational software, interactive art, and scientific
visualization.
To be eligible for inclusion in this list each game
engine needed to meet the following requirements:
Free
to use without restrictions
Not in the early stages of development
We have included ScummVM in this feature even though it is a
collection of game engine recreations rather than a fresh engine.
However, it is worthy of inclusion here given that the SCUMM engine is
used in so many fantastic games.
To provide an insight into the quality of software that is
available, we have compiled a list of 16 slick free Linux game engines.
This article is the first in a two part series. Part 2 will
be available shortly. Hopefully, there will be something here of
interest to any organization or individual who wants to develop
commercial or open source games.
Now, let's explore the 8 game engines at hand. For each
engine we have compiled its own portal page, providing screenshots of
it in action, a full description of the game engine, with an in-depth
analysis of the features of the game engine, together with links to
relevant resources and reviews.
| Game Engines |
| Syntensity |
Multiplayer 3D game engine |
| Sauerbraten |
Built
as a major redesign of the Cube FPS
|
| Panda3D |
Originally developed
and actively maintained by the Walt Disney VR Studio |
| FIFE |
Flexible
Isometric Free Engine |
| ScummVM |
Run classic graphical point-and-click adventure games |
| DarkPlaces |
Gameplay
modification and a source port engine based
on the computer game Quake |
| Crystal
Space |
Provides real-time 3D graphics for applications such
as games and virtual reality |
| GemRB |
Implementation
of BioWare's Infinity Engine |
|
|
If you just want to play games, we have previously released a
number of features
highlighting great free Linux games including 42
of the Best Free Linux Games, 42
More of the Best Free Linux Games, 21
More of the Best Free Linux Games, a three part feature
entitled 42 Hot
Free Linux Games (Part
1, Part
2, Part
3), and a recently released three part feature '24 Extra Hot
Linux Games' (Part
1, Part
2, Part
3).
Return to our complete collection of Group
Tests, identifying the finest Linux software.
Last Updated Saturday, May 19 2012 @ 10:21 AM EDT
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