I have a recent Linux convert who is finding it difficult finding online games. He likes war games. I don't play games online (except the occasional chess game) so I don't know of any like this. Anybody want to point us in the right direction? He just spent 3 hours looking and is about ready to have me install Windows for him. Thanks ahead of time.

Plenty available on Steam - http://store.steampowered.com/browse/linux/

Thanks. Looks good but I'm pretty sure he's looking for free games to play online.

What do you mean by "war games?" That could mean anything from a RISK-clone to Call of Duty.

DOTA 2 is Linux-native and completely free. It's true that it has IAP, but as with Team Fortress 2, the purchases are 100% cosmetic.

Heroes of Newerth is Linux-native and free-to-play.

Crusader Kings II is a highly regarded free single-player war game. Also Linux-native. Not free.

Planetary Annihilation is Linux-native and has reached beta. Not free.

Natural Selection 2 is either Linux-native or will be soon. Not free, but allegedly excellent.

@ dugan, I will have him check out the games you mentioned. I don't know what you mean by "IAP" or "purchases are 100% cosmetic". I am games-dumb, just trying to help him play something online without resorting to Windows. Thank you.

It means that the games itself are free, but you can buy items in the games. In the case of these two games the items you can buy have only a cosmetic function, many other games sell items that help the player, so that paying players progress faster in the games.

Your friend may also want to have a look at Xonotic, Alien Arena, Zero Ballistics, QuakeLife and Urban Terror, all First Person Shooters. If he is more into strategic games he may want to look at 0AD, MegaGlest and Battlezone 2100.

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Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 is on sale on Steam for $2.49.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in <Linux-Games> and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Thanks very much, TobiSGD. This is a big help.

I downloaded and installed "Heros of Newerth" without looking at system requirements and it is slow. The laptop has 1gb ram and the game requires at least 1.5gb. So my next question is which of these games will run okay with 1gb ram?

It helps if yopu also tell us the other hardware, especially CPU and videocard. The output of will do it.

Here is the appropriate info:

model name : Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2080 @ 1.73GHz
model name : Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2080 @ 1.73GHz
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)

and as I said, 1gb ram.

With that integrated video device you won't have much fun with games, it is simply to slow for most modern games (it shouldn't even run good in Windows). I would look for games based on the older Quake3 technology, maybe Urban Terror will run sufficiently, but seriously, this is simply not a machine for playing games in the first place.

FreeCiv counts as a war game, right? You'll be able to run that for sure. It can also be played online.

I'm surprised that noone mentioned EVE online yet... It's definetely a war-centered, PvP (player versus player) heavy online game, and it works perfectly with Linux