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World of Goo Ported To Linux

Posted by Soulskill on from the good-for-goo dept.

christian.einfeldt writes "Lovers of both games and Free Open Source Software will be pleased to see that the popular indie puzzle game World of Goo has been released for Linux. It was designed by a small team of two ex-Electronic Arts developers, Kyle Gabler and Ron Carmel, who used their entire combined savings of $10,000.00 USD to create the gooey game aimed at guiding goo balls to salvation. The developers built their gooey world with open-source technologies such as Simple DirectMedia Layer, Open Dynamics Engine for physics simulation, and TinyXML for configuration and animation files. Subversion and Mantis Bug Tracker were used for work coordination. Blogger Ken Starks points out that the release of this popular game for Linux could be a big step toward ending the chicken-and-egg problem of a dearth of good games that run natively under Linux."

4 of 223 comments (clear)

  1. Just bought it by Psychotria · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I am not particularly interested in the game (I prefer FPS) but it looks like a bit of fun. Even if I do not play it all that much (or at all!), I am happy to give the developers $20 for their effort. In fact, I am pondering buying it TWICE. Games for linux should, in my opinion, be supported. Well done.

  2. It already ran under Wine by Ed+Avis · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It's worth noting that the Windows x86 binary runs fine under Wine, and that's how I first played the game before buying it and running it on a Mac. A native Linux release is great news though.

    --
    -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
  3. One less pirate by meist3r · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Well, I gotta admit. I belonged to that 90% pirate numbers for the game which I got in a Windoze version and played under WINE as a means of "extended demo". Never really played beyond the third level though because I felt that if I really spend that much time on a game it should run natively. Now that there is a Linux client I'll gladly pay for it even though I'll probably never finish it. Just BECAUSE there is a Linux client made me want to pay for this.

  4. Re:I can't find the Linux version on Steam... by meist3r · · Score: 4, Interesting

    What makes you think there is going to be a Linux steam client?

    The only thing I've heard about it is a nonsense rumour from a valve job advertisement.

    Maybe you should update your facts. The Postal 3 dev listed Linux as a confirmed platform for the Source Engine in 2009. Since I doubt Valve will sell their games without Steam compatibility if they have a native Source engine I'm assuming they will also provide a native Steam client. This not only to me acts as proof that the "nonsense" rumor (actually from a really unsubstantial source: the Valve website!) is actually true and one of the precursors to a Linux port of Steam and the Source games.

    With Source already ported to OpenGL on the PS3 there is further evidence that a port is not only possible but likely. Postal 3 is a confirmed Source engine based game for Linux in 2009. I'm expecting delays but this is as close to a Linux client Valve has ever confessed. They know through their hardware survey and forum participation that their users use WINE and Linux operating systems. They know the direction of the market and know that Steam is the perfect platform to distribute games to alternative OSs. I would actually be more surprised if they hired a Senior Linux Engineer and DIDN'T port Source/Steam.

    OMG! PC Games: What systems will Postal III be released on?

    Vince Desi: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Mac and Linux.

    http://www.omgpcgames.com/content/view/45/37/