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I quite like Warzone2100 as a RTS
and Wormux (Worms 2 clone).

Then again, I'm not a hardcore gamer, so I guess it all depends on what you want out of a game. The above have given me hours and hours of fun, despite the low-end graphics (indeed I quite like the low end graphics, allows me to play on my phone, or on other underpowered machines, no need for big gaming rig).

I just want to add to my reply focusing on the actual questions by the submitter:

A couple other questions that might help those students: what non-academic methods would you recommend to students looking for a career in the games industry? What projects and tools are good starting points for learning the ropes?

In no particular order
- Learn to program C and C++ (no not C/C++, learn their differences)
- Learn some scripting language (Lua is used in game programming a lot, Python is also OK)
- As other have said, learn to use tools like Blender, mainly so that they *understand* what does it mean to make a game.
- Work in an Open Source game. Just browse around SourceForge and look for a game... (start with simple games like http://www.wormux.org/ before going all the way to 3D).
- Redo old games... everytime I want to learn a new programming language (or platform like Wii or DS) I do a Tetris clone. Doing a game which is "predesigned" will allow you to focus on the actual *programming* so that you ensure you learn the needed skills. Additionally, you can keep improving the game by adding new stuff as you learn about the platform.. 3D tetris, etc).
- Read books. There are lots of books about programming (e.g. game programming all in one) for very low prices. In the beginning it does not matter if the book is a bit old.

- Finally, after you have tested all that, choose in what part of the game development process you want to specialize. Do you *really* like coding?... or you prefer doing the 3D models? do you like designing the scenarios? or do you prefer the sound? Do you like to create the NPCs AI?. You must have in mind that in commercial games each of these aspects is foreseen by a different person (or group of persons) so it is very likely you will have to specialize.

None of your examples are of games. There are no good, free, fun, games.

You forgot the best example of all. There is even a Mac version for jimicus and a Linux version for the rest of /.

None of your examples are of games. There are no good, free, fun, games.

Wormux runs find on my old intel graphics card: http://wormux.org/wiki/en/index.php
It's a worms clone, actually very cool...
It's also available for windows... Also pingus, if it's avaiable for windows...

Not sure about the specs, and not that "politically correct", but Wormux, http://www.wormux.org/ is a GPL clone of the ever classic 2D Worms. Should be right-on for 13-16 year olds.

Don't think of just entertainment, choose games that will teach the children valuable life skills. For example:

Teach them to Rule the World: Freeciv
Teach them the value of running over hookers: GTA 1&2
Teach them the awesomeness of fighting robots: One Must Fall 2097
Teach them to conquer the world in a different way: C&C Red Alert 3
And finally, teach them to conquer the world of worms (you never know): Wormux

Linux Games..

http://savage2.s2games.com/main.php
http://www.eve-online.com/
http://www.wesnoth.org/
http://www.flightgear.org/
http://www.freeciv.org/
http://www.sauerbraten.org/
http://www.scorched3d.co.uk/
http://wz2100.net/
http://www.cubeengine.com/
http://lincity-ng.berlios.de/
http://vegastrike.sourceforge.net/
http://www.wormux.org/
http://www.secretmaryo.org/
http://www.ufoai.net/
http://www.bzflag.org/
http://tremulous.net/
http://www.eternal-lands.com/
http://www.enemyterritory.com/

Perhaps you could stop with the "No games for Linux" BS already as you obviously have your head up your ass.

There are a lot of gems on this list. I hate to say it, but I really do love some of the clones out there. I remember playing Freeciv for hours on end back in the day. One clone that caught my attention in this list was Wormux. My friends and I have been addicted to Worms 2 lately (an amazingly fun game), and this looks like an awesome alternative. The best part about choosing a free alternative is not usually the initial cost; it's the fact that the free alternative usually gets better as time goes on, Worms 2 is not like to change any time soon.

Ok, I'm using SuSE 9.1, and I think Yast Online Update is similar based on your description. How do I find these magic software servers for things beyond core updates? Like if I find some game - Wormux, how do I get YOU(YaST Online Update) to just "make it work" like it does with the Opera upgrades or whatever?

Google is your friend. how you ask questions, is very important. You are expected to try to help yourself first. No one wants to answer the same question fifty times. Try searching before posting your question. Think of the difference between "How do I install driver foo?" and "I get a memory dump error when I install driver foo 1.3 in Distro X.2. I have done x, y, and z. What am I doing wrong?". The first one should be easily answered with a quick websearch. The second one is a much more specific question. It might be answered with a web search but it might be more unique. Most people will probably be willing to try to help with the second.

For Wormux, download the static compiled tarballed and uncompress it somewhere and you should be fine to play.
tar jxvf wormux-static-0.4.0.tar.bz2