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Domain: spiderwebsoftware.com
Stories and comments across the archive that link to spiderwebsoftware.com.
Comments · 65
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Linux has good games, laddie buck
Interesting point, but I really doubt that this is aimed at the general consumer. It's for Joe Linux, who prides himself on doing nifty tech things with Linux.
Okay, Tux Racer may not be the most amazing thing in the world, but it's fun for a couple hours.
Freeciv...why is freeciv bad? You don't like civilization? There are some differences, but aside from the fact that civ had more artists (and, IMHO, a worse interface) and is a bit easier to use, not huge difference in fun factor.
Lets consider some others:
zangband/ToME/angband/nethack/etc: These *are* a lot of fun. Diablo has much more simplistic, boring gameplay, and it took off all over. Most variants have a pretty simple text or 2d graphics based interface without music, but some are a bit more elaborate. Be a bit of a pain to play on the controller, yes...
Chromium BSU: flashy scrolling shooter. Could use the 3d hardware in the X-box.
Dunno if you can just use ordinary ol' x86 binaries (particularly considering RAM usage), but:
Quake 3 (use the 3d hardware). Not free.
Abuse: This was a *blast* when it came out -- I played it over and over. It's looking a little dated now, but it's still a good game. Free now -- thanks crack.com.
Pingus is apparently shaping up pretty well.
There's part of the amazing Exile series available for Linux. (shareware)
Maelstrom may be too "simple" for you, as it's only an astroids clone, but it was a very well known game on the Mac for a long time, and I still like it.
While I'm not a tremendous fan of Illwinter's Conquest of Elysium II, their Dominions: Priests, Prophets, and Pretenders is a non-flashy but very deep, very good strategy game. Shareware.
There's a DOS-style shooter from Mountain King Studios, Raptor. (shareware)
Finally, there are all the emulators and whatnot...take a look at GNUboy, TuxNES, snes9x, DGen/SDL,
FreeSCI, Sarien, Exult, XU4, ScummVM, Basilisk II, YAE and others.
There are a host of Loki ports that you can't get any more except used. Lots of good stuff from LGames, though I'm not as big a fan of their stuff as some other people are.
Finally, text-based but really, really sophisticated, good, and almost all of them free, there are text-based interactive fiction (Try Tower of Babel before giving up on this...first one I ever beat without cheating, and it's *soooooo* good). The Interactive Fiction Archive has games and players.
Finally, many good games can be played through WINE -- Starcraft, Fallout, Max Payne, Half Life...
These are just some of the games that I enjoy under Linux. There are lots more (admittedly, some of lower quality) available at the SDL Games Page and the Linux Games Tome.
Linux games usually take a bit more (okay, often a lot -
Exile Series for PC/Mac, Exile III for Linux
Spiderweb Software makes shareware games.
Their Exile series of games (Exile, Exile II, Exile III, Blades of Exile) runs on both PC and Mac. Exile III runs under Linux (!).
Different scenarios can be constructed by you and then and run by other people, so the game world can be shared with your friends.
I haven't kept up with their products over the past two years, but they are still around and making games. -
Spiderweb Software
Old-fashioned Ultima-style games with a more modern interface and look-&-feel are being produced right now! Check out Spiderweb Software. The games are all shareware -- crippleware, actually -- that let you get through about 1/3 of the way through play before you're forced to register to continue. But at $25, it's not all that painful to register.
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Re:Sorry but...Aside from Baldurs gate, and the Fallout series there hasnt been a good RPG since Ultima IV & V, or the SSI line of AD&D games.
Nonsense, especially if you like the mid-series Ultimas. Go to Spiderweb Software and download a game from the Exile series, or Avernum (basically the same as Exile but with a somewhat more up-to-date engine.) They're easily the equal to anything Garriot did, IM(never H)O.
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Re:games for open source OSesExile III was ported to Linux, and is one of the best Ultima-style games I've every played. The port is thanks to Boutell.com and works marvelously.
If only Spiderweb Software would recognize that they should have more of their games ported to Linux...They were originally Mac-centric and have since been doing Mac->Windows ports.
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Re:games for open source OSesExile III was ported to Linux, and is one of the best Ultima-style games I've every played. The port is thanks to Boutell.com and works marvelously.
If only Spiderweb Software would recognize that they should have more of their games ported to Linux...They were originally Mac-centric and have since been doing Mac->Windows ports.
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The Spirit of Ultima Lives OnAfter reading a number of posts bemoaning the end of the Ultima games and the declining quality of the games later in the series, I thought I should point out that Ultima-style RPGs are alive and well. Spiderweb Software started out in 1994 with Exile, a massive retro-RPG in the style of Ultima IV. This was followed by two sequels, Exile II: Crystal Souls and Exile III: Ruined World, both of which implemented minor enhancements but were still basically in the same style. Blades of Exile was an expandable version of the game engine. It shipped with three sample scenarios and the Scenario Editor which allowed users to create their own. The best of them can be downloaded from Spiderweb's website.
The company shifted to a new engine that offered a pseudo-3D orthogonal projection with Nethergate. Nethergate was also innovative in that it allowed the player to roleplay either side of the conflict. Now they're working on re-releasing the Exile games using the new engine and under new titles. Avernum and the recently released Avernum 2 do not disappoint.
Although I have linked to the Windows versions of the games, Spiderweb actually develops and releases for the Mac first, and later ports its games to Windows. They also distribute a number of games that they do not produe, but IMO they're nowhere near as good.
All Spiderweb games are shareware, and you can play a fairly substantial portion of the game before having to pay. So if you miss Ultima, give them a try!
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The Spirit of Ultima Lives OnAfter reading a number of posts bemoaning the end of the Ultima games and the declining quality of the games later in the series, I thought I should point out that Ultima-style RPGs are alive and well. Spiderweb Software started out in 1994 with Exile, a massive retro-RPG in the style of Ultima IV. This was followed by two sequels, Exile II: Crystal Souls and Exile III: Ruined World, both of which implemented minor enhancements but were still basically in the same style. Blades of Exile was an expandable version of the game engine. It shipped with three sample scenarios and the Scenario Editor which allowed users to create their own. The best of them can be downloaded from Spiderweb's website.
The company shifted to a new engine that offered a pseudo-3D orthogonal projection with Nethergate. Nethergate was also innovative in that it allowed the player to roleplay either side of the conflict. Now they're working on re-releasing the Exile games using the new engine and under new titles. Avernum and the recently released Avernum 2 do not disappoint.
Although I have linked to the Windows versions of the games, Spiderweb actually develops and releases for the Mac first, and later ports its games to Windows. They also distribute a number of games that they do not produe, but IMO they're nowhere near as good.
All Spiderweb games are shareware, and you can play a fairly substantial portion of the game before having to pay. So if you miss Ultima, give them a try!
-
The Spirit of Ultima Lives OnAfter reading a number of posts bemoaning the end of the Ultima games and the declining quality of the games later in the series, I thought I should point out that Ultima-style RPGs are alive and well. Spiderweb Software started out in 1994 with Exile, a massive retro-RPG in the style of Ultima IV. This was followed by two sequels, Exile II: Crystal Souls and Exile III: Ruined World, both of which implemented minor enhancements but were still basically in the same style. Blades of Exile was an expandable version of the game engine. It shipped with three sample scenarios and the Scenario Editor which allowed users to create their own. The best of them can be downloaded from Spiderweb's website.
The company shifted to a new engine that offered a pseudo-3D orthogonal projection with Nethergate. Nethergate was also innovative in that it allowed the player to roleplay either side of the conflict. Now they're working on re-releasing the Exile games using the new engine and under new titles. Avernum and the recently released Avernum 2 do not disappoint.
Although I have linked to the Windows versions of the games, Spiderweb actually develops and releases for the Mac first, and later ports its games to Windows. They also distribute a number of games that they do not produe, but IMO they're nowhere near as good.
All Spiderweb games are shareware, and you can play a fairly substantial portion of the game before having to pay. So if you miss Ultima, give them a try!
-
The Spirit of Ultima Lives OnAfter reading a number of posts bemoaning the end of the Ultima games and the declining quality of the games later in the series, I thought I should point out that Ultima-style RPGs are alive and well. Spiderweb Software started out in 1994 with Exile, a massive retro-RPG in the style of Ultima IV. This was followed by two sequels, Exile II: Crystal Souls and Exile III: Ruined World, both of which implemented minor enhancements but were still basically in the same style. Blades of Exile was an expandable version of the game engine. It shipped with three sample scenarios and the Scenario Editor which allowed users to create their own. The best of them can be downloaded from Spiderweb's website.
The company shifted to a new engine that offered a pseudo-3D orthogonal projection with Nethergate. Nethergate was also innovative in that it allowed the player to roleplay either side of the conflict. Now they're working on re-releasing the Exile games using the new engine and under new titles. Avernum and the recently released Avernum 2 do not disappoint.
Although I have linked to the Windows versions of the games, Spiderweb actually develops and releases for the Mac first, and later ports its games to Windows. They also distribute a number of games that they do not produe, but IMO they're nowhere near as good.
All Spiderweb games are shareware, and you can play a fairly substantial portion of the game before having to pay. So if you miss Ultima, give them a try!
-
The Spirit of Ultima Lives OnAfter reading a number of posts bemoaning the end of the Ultima games and the declining quality of the games later in the series, I thought I should point out that Ultima-style RPGs are alive and well. Spiderweb Software started out in 1994 with Exile, a massive retro-RPG in the style of Ultima IV. This was followed by two sequels, Exile II: Crystal Souls and Exile III: Ruined World, both of which implemented minor enhancements but were still basically in the same style. Blades of Exile was an expandable version of the game engine. It shipped with three sample scenarios and the Scenario Editor which allowed users to create their own. The best of them can be downloaded from Spiderweb's website.
The company shifted to a new engine that offered a pseudo-3D orthogonal projection with Nethergate. Nethergate was also innovative in that it allowed the player to roleplay either side of the conflict. Now they're working on re-releasing the Exile games using the new engine and under new titles. Avernum and the recently released Avernum 2 do not disappoint.
Although I have linked to the Windows versions of the games, Spiderweb actually develops and releases for the Mac first, and later ports its games to Windows. They also distribute a number of games that they do not produe, but IMO they're nowhere near as good.
All Spiderweb games are shareware, and you can play a fairly substantial portion of the game before having to pay. So if you miss Ultima, give them a try!
-
The Spirit of Ultima Lives OnAfter reading a number of posts bemoaning the end of the Ultima games and the declining quality of the games later in the series, I thought I should point out that Ultima-style RPGs are alive and well. Spiderweb Software started out in 1994 with Exile, a massive retro-RPG in the style of Ultima IV. This was followed by two sequels, Exile II: Crystal Souls and Exile III: Ruined World, both of which implemented minor enhancements but were still basically in the same style. Blades of Exile was an expandable version of the game engine. It shipped with three sample scenarios and the Scenario Editor which allowed users to create their own. The best of them can be downloaded from Spiderweb's website.
The company shifted to a new engine that offered a pseudo-3D orthogonal projection with Nethergate. Nethergate was also innovative in that it allowed the player to roleplay either side of the conflict. Now they're working on re-releasing the Exile games using the new engine and under new titles. Avernum and the recently released Avernum 2 do not disappoint.
Although I have linked to the Windows versions of the games, Spiderweb actually develops and releases for the Mac first, and later ports its games to Windows. They also distribute a number of games that they do not produe, but IMO they're nowhere near as good.
All Spiderweb games are shareware, and you can play a fairly substantial portion of the game before having to pay. So if you miss Ultima, give them a try!
-
The Spirit of Ultima Lives OnAfter reading a number of posts bemoaning the end of the Ultima games and the declining quality of the games later in the series, I thought I should point out that Ultima-style RPGs are alive and well. Spiderweb Software started out in 1994 with Exile, a massive retro-RPG in the style of Ultima IV. This was followed by two sequels, Exile II: Crystal Souls and Exile III: Ruined World, both of which implemented minor enhancements but were still basically in the same style. Blades of Exile was an expandable version of the game engine. It shipped with three sample scenarios and the Scenario Editor which allowed users to create their own. The best of them can be downloaded from Spiderweb's website.
The company shifted to a new engine that offered a pseudo-3D orthogonal projection with Nethergate. Nethergate was also innovative in that it allowed the player to roleplay either side of the conflict. Now they're working on re-releasing the Exile games using the new engine and under new titles. Avernum and the recently released Avernum 2 do not disappoint.
Although I have linked to the Windows versions of the games, Spiderweb actually develops and releases for the Mac first, and later ports its games to Windows. They also distribute a number of games that they do not produe, but IMO they're nowhere near as good.
All Spiderweb games are shareware, and you can play a fairly substantial portion of the game before having to pay. So if you miss Ultima, give them a try!
-
The Spirit of Ultima Lives OnAfter reading a number of posts bemoaning the end of the Ultima games and the declining quality of the games later in the series, I thought I should point out that Ultima-style RPGs are alive and well. Spiderweb Software started out in 1994 with Exile, a massive retro-RPG in the style of Ultima IV. This was followed by two sequels, Exile II: Crystal Souls and Exile III: Ruined World, both of which implemented minor enhancements but were still basically in the same style. Blades of Exile was an expandable version of the game engine. It shipped with three sample scenarios and the Scenario Editor which allowed users to create their own. The best of them can be downloaded from Spiderweb's website.
The company shifted to a new engine that offered a pseudo-3D orthogonal projection with Nethergate. Nethergate was also innovative in that it allowed the player to roleplay either side of the conflict. Now they're working on re-releasing the Exile games using the new engine and under new titles. Avernum and the recently released Avernum 2 do not disappoint.
Although I have linked to the Windows versions of the games, Spiderweb actually develops and releases for the Mac first, and later ports its games to Windows. They also distribute a number of games that they do not produe, but IMO they're nowhere near as good.
All Spiderweb games are shareware, and you can play a fairly substantial portion of the game before having to pay. So if you miss Ultima, give them a try!
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Ultima(ish) Mac games
Those of us with Macs can enjoy at least one of the classic Ultima games, as well as several derivatives, as downloadable shareware.
Ultima III: Exodus
The Exile Trilogy by Spiderweb Software (I love these!)
Cytheria by Ambrosia Software
J
MacOS Open Source