Open Source in Gaming
Table of Contents
Open Source in Gaming
Gaming is the largest entertainment industry , grossing just over 250 Billion dollars! This also might be the biggest dissapointment to the Open Source Movement. Games are still largely proprietary and distributed using DRM and Anti-Cheat tools.
Before you start thinking how would Open Source Gaming would work , let's think about the implications
Advantages
Archiving Games: Games which are not Open Source , cannot be archived , until their respective company decides to do so. This leads to many games being lost forever. These games could have been studied / researched and used as a base for developing modern games.
Customizability: Games being Open Source means , any person with enough technical skills compile the game on their own. This also allows them to apply customizations and develop features that the main game could not support.
Cross-Platform: Open Source software can be modified to be run on almost any platoform.Even though the original developer can't , the community will. This ultimately means larger playerbase and more fun!
Lower-Development Cost: Currently games have budgets in the high millions .For example 'Cyberpunk 2077' had a budget of 316 billion dollar! Being Open Source means the large part of the development is literally free.
Disadvantages
- Low Margin of Revenue: Being Open Source there is almost no margin of revenue.This is the largest hurdle in the Open Source Gaming.
How does Open Source in Gaming work ?
Games are built using a variety of resources. These include game-engines , textures and artwork, audio/video content. Along with these it also needs , voice acting , motion capture , story-writing and research.
Game Engines
The only part of this stack that can be Open Sourced is the game engine.The most popular game engines are already open sourced. These include
Cocos2d
This game engine developed in C++ , Python and Javascript can be scripted using C++ , Javascript and Lua. This game engine supports 2D , 2.5D and 3D Graphics. Popular for being game-engine for Geometry Dash
Godot
This game engine is the most popular Open Source game engine.It is written in C++ and scripted with C# and Visual Script. Can support 2D , 2.5D and 3D Graphics. This is used for multiple indie games and popular titles include Cruelty Squad , Hardcoded and Kingdoms of the Dump.
id Tech 1-5:
These set of game engines were used to make the popular DOOM Series , including DOOM I , DOOM II , Wolfenstien 3D Quake I-III and DOOM 3.Almost all configured in C or C++. Almost all of them support 3D. Developed by id Tech.The current version id Tech 7 is used in the recently released DOOM Eternal.
MonoGame/XNA
This Open Source (Microsoft Public License) was built in C# and scripted in C#. Most notable for used in Skulls of the Shotgun , Terraria , Stardew Valley and Bastion. This game engine supports 2D and 3D.
Pygogenesis
This Open Source (LGPL) engine is built using C++ and scripted in Javascript.This game engine supports 3D. Most notable for used in the Open Source Game 0 AD.
Lighweight Java Game Library
Open Source(BSD 3) game engine used in the making of MineCraft.Written and scripted using Java. Can support 2D and 3D graphics.
Other Resources
All other resources require a lot of dedication and hard-work by artist , musicians and writers. These developments are slow and scarce. The most notable ones are listed below
Krita
Open Source Software for creating and editng graphics.Cross-Platform and resources for premade graphics. Krita
Audacity
Open Source Audio Editor for editing and making sound effects and recording. Audacity
Open Source Games
These are the list of games that are at some-level Open Source.They are all supported on Linux and has partial Windows support. The below list is not exhaustive . Full list here.
0 A.D
This is a 3D Real Time Strategy game is in the same spirit of Age of Empire.Developed by WildFire Games.
The Battle for Wesnoth
2D Turn based RPG game.Supports multiplayer and singleplayer.
FlightGear
Fully featured Flight Simulator.Used by real Pilots and has large library of aircrafts and airports.
FreeCiv
Isometric2D Civilization Clone. Turn based strategy game
GNU Chess , Go
Games developed by GNU.
NetHack
A Text based single-player dungeon exploration game.
OpenTTD
A Open Source clone of Transport Tycoon Deluxe.A fun and complicated management game.
SuperTuxCart
A Mario Cart Clone. 3D Racing Game using mascots of the Open Source Organizations.
Xonotic
3D Shooter supporting Singleplayer and Multiplayer.
