Ceci est une ancienne révision du document !
Ubuntu, or, for that matter, GNU/Linux, is really an excellent option for almost every job that computers may be used for (far better than Windows or MacOS) but gaming is one platform where we are indeed lacking when it comes to a totally modern OS experience.
Luckily, progress is being made, and many game developers (especially Indie game developers) are realizing the available Linux market, and our readiness to pay for it, has already been proven many a time on Humble Bundle releases where the average Linux user’s payment is always the highest. Today, we’re looking at Desura.
What is Desura?
”Desura is a community driven digital distribution service for gamers, putting the best games, mods, and downloadable content from developers at gamers’ fingertips, ready to buy and play.” as stated on http://www.desura.com/about . So how does one get Desura on Ubuntu and its derivative? Simply go to http://www.desura.com/install and click on Install Desura for Linux. It will download an archive, “desura-i686.tar.gz” in my case. Extract and read the README file, which will provide you information on installation and other related subjects. Once you have installed the Desura game client, run it, and you will be asked to login. If you have an existing Desura account, login with that, or register a new one, as it is a fairly simple process. Log in, and you are off to installing games - both free and paid. In the game section, you will meet some old friends like “Neverball”, “Warsow”, “Xonotic”(which is a fork of Nexuiz), “Alien Arena,” and others. Also in attendance are top rated paid games. Just to name a few: “Braid”, “World of Goo”, “Crayon Physics Deluxe”, “VVVVVV” (if you have trouble pronouncing it just say V 6 times), “Trine”, “Frozen Synapse,” and many more. I installed three games from Desura: “M.A.R.S - A Ridiculous Shooter”, “Vertigo” and “Smokin' Guns” (all of them are free). I have personally taken quite a liking to “Smokin' Guns” as it recreates the “Old West's” great atmosphere. It does lack graphically in comparison to your modern shooters, but what it lacks in graphics it makes up for in the sheer exciting gameplay. The game has two modes, Single and Multiplayer.
Multiplayer is where the game earns its money, just join any of the many servers present and jump straight into action. My favorite game types are “Deathmatch”, “Teamplay” and “Bank Robbery”. The games can be launched from the client itself, or from the installation folder - as they are installed locally. Desura is also about the community, and there you can interact with fellow gamers , make friends, join groups, and read fellow users’ reviews. Finally, there is also a Development section where developers can release their games, do Beta Testing and other developer related stuff.
Go ahead, install it, have fun. If you are playing “Smokin' Guns” and some “MKN” hurls dynamite at you, chances are it will be me.
Good • Major step in making Linux attractive to gamers • Easy Installation • Is a social medium • Great integration with the Ubuntu desktop.
Bad • The game titles available for Linux are less in comparison to Windows.