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Updated: 15 August 2023
1. How can I tell what version of SDL and OpenGL I have installed?
On the Administration menu, select your Package Manager and search for SDL. E.g. v1.2.15
Also, search for OpenGL/ES, M
2. Where can I install games for Linux?
Open Software Manager on the Administration menu and select Games. A number of games are now available from Steam, Github and Sourceforge.
As well as native linux games, you can also play games via various emulators and games on mobile devices such as Android using a tool called Anbox.
3. Can I play Windows games through WINE?
Yes, there are many compatible windows games that can work with WINE (Windows is Not an Emulator), see the AppDB for a list of games tested on WINE.
To make it easier to play Windows games, you can try PlayonLinux which allows you to install and configure games such as Call of Duty 2, Age of Empires, Assassin's Creeed, Baldur's Gate, Civilization and many more.
Also, SteamOS is available to play Steam games on Linux.
4. When I install and run a game it says that it cannot find OpenGL?
You need to make sure that the latest drivers for your graphics card are installed with Linux. Search for your graphics card maker (Radeon, Nvidia, Intel) in Software Manager to install the correct xserver-xorg display drivers.
Also, see the OpenGL
website for more info on this technology.
5. What sound options can a Linux PC have?
Most PCs now have built in sound chips for producing music and sound, they can be adequate for most users but for better sound, you need a discreet sound card for higher quality sound such as the Creative range. The type of speakers you have also helps which can range from Mono (single speaker), Stereo (two speakers), 2.1 speakers (2 high, 1 bass), 5.1 speakers (Surround sound) and 7.1 speakers (surround sound with 2 more speakers). Linux supports a number of sound libraries such as OSS (Open Sound System), ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture), NSS and PulseAudio to support sound.
6. What is T&L support in a graphics card?
T&L is short for Transform and Lighting which is used for moving 3D objects and lighting objects in a 3D environment. Most recent 3D graphics cards support it:
7. What is Pixel Shader support in a graphics card?
A Pixel Shader works out the colour and other attributes of each pixel on the screen. They can also compute lighting, bumping value, specular highlights, translucency, depth and other features. There are five levels of shader 1-5, the most recent 3D cards can do Shader 3.0:
8. How do I test FPS (Frames per second)?
A lot of high end games such as Doom 3, Half Life 2, Call of Duty and so on, have a built in developer console (enabled in the game options).
You can run some commands to display the FPS value as you play the game. For example:
9. What can I use the develop games with?
There are a wide range of development tools including Unity 3D, Java Netbeans, Maratis 3D , Scratch , Swift and others.