FOSSPicks
Open roller coasters
OpenRCT2
It's amazing just how many old games have been re-implemented in new and wholly compatible open source games engines, just to keep those old games alive. It's a huge and thankless task, at least early on in development when the programmers have to pull apart what's publicly available, including data and save files, and try to recreate the same functionality without resorting to the original code. This is why so many open source recreations only ever reach a preliminary level of compatibility, but there are also a few exceptional cases that manage to go above and beyond the software that spawned them. Open RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 (OpenRCT2) is one of them.
It's not too difficult to guess that OpenRCT2 is a reimplementation of the games engine behind the brilliant RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, originally released over 20 years ago in October 2002. To get it to work, you will need the original data files, and OpenRCT2 will work with files from RollerCoaster Tycoon 1 and 2, as well as their various expansion packs. These are still available through Steam and GOG. The game itself is still a peerless roller coaster park simulation, letting you design everything from the rides themselves, accompanying attractions, and the overall site. OpenRCT2 not only fixes all the bugs found in the originals, but also lets you increase the number of guests, adds new track elements and zero-g rolls, adds differing color schemes, and is compatible with old park scenarios. It's a game that's a lot of fun beyond the usual nostalgia factor of playing yet another game from your youth, and it will also appeal to just about any indie or retro game fanatic who may enjoy Minecraft, or who has stumbled onto the brilliant but costly RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 on the Nintendo Switch. They can now run OpenRCT2 on their Steam Decks forever.
Project Website
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.