FOSSPicks
FOSSPicks
Nate explores the top FOSS including the ultra-secure LibreWolf browser, new calibre features, an elegant GnuPG front end, and the graphically flawless evolution sim Thrive.
Evolution sim
Thrive
Linux games are sometimes criticized for having limited graphics support relative to Windows titles. Not so for this evolution sim, which is built using the Godot engine. The game is available to purchase on Steam for a small fee. However, it remains open source. The code can be compiled from GitHub, though the developers recommend that Linux users download the Thrive Launcher (available on Flathub) to install the game and necessary dependencies.
The game's basic premise reminds me of Spore's early stages (2008) in that the player controls a single-celled organism. Unlike Spore, you're given the choice of starting in a warm pond or hydrothermal vent. By default, the game also has the cell behave in a "real world" fashion so man-eating microbes or exotic food sources are out of the question.
The latest release (0.7.1) has introduced photosynthetic life forms. In other words, your organism now starts in a world without oxygen, so it must evolve its metabolism as the gas is introduced into the atmosphere. At regular stages, you can choose new patches for your organism, such as flagella for movement or the ability to metabolize more sources such as iron into ATP for energy.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
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
-
RingReaper Malware Poses Danger to Linux Systems
A new kind of malware exploits modern Linux kernels for I/O operations.
-
Happy Birthday, Linux
On August 25, Linux officially turns 34.
-
VirtualBox 7.2 Has Arrived
With early support for Linux kernel 6.17 and other new additions, VirtualBox 7.2 is a must-update for users.
-
Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Available for Testing
Some interesting new additions and improvements are coming to Linux Mint. Check out the Linux Mint 22.2 Beta to give it a test run.
-
Debian 13.0 Officially Released
After two years of development, the latest iteration of Debian is now available with plenty of under-the-hood improvements.
-
Upcoming Changes for MXLinux
MXLinux 25 has plenty in store to please all types of users.
-
A New Linux AI Assistant in Town
Newelle, a Linux AI assistant, works with different LLMs and includes document parsing and profiles.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Released with Minor Fixes
The latest Linux kernel doesn't really include any big-ticket features, just a lot of lines of code.
-
EU Sovereign Tech Fund Gains Traction
OpenForum Europe recently released a report regarding a sovereign tech fund with backing from several significant entities.
-
FreeBSD Promises a Full Desktop Installer
FreeBSD has lacked an option to include a full desktop environment during installation.