Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, is building the popular Steam game platform as Snap package!

The Ubuntu developer team is going to improve gaming experience on this popular Linux distribution. The first step is to simplify the process of setting up gaming environment. As the number 1 game platform, Steam to be first one they focus on.

Meaning Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 22.10 can easily search for and install Steam as snap package from Ubuntu Software:

Steam in Ubuntu Software as Snap package

Or, user can press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal and run the single command to get it:

snap install steam --beta

The command also work in Ubuntu 18.04, though --beta flag is required at the moment, because the package so far is in earlier stage for testing purpose.

After installed the package, just search for and launch it from ‘Activities’ overview screen:

It automatically install updates and setup runtime, and finally launch the client app for you.

Other Choices

As some users do not like Snap package, there are a few other ways to install Steam app in Ubuntu.

Option 1: Steam Installer

By searching in Ubuntu Software, you’ll see a “Steam Installer” package. Which is an empty package that automatically download steam package from its server and set it up in Ubuntu.

Steam Installer in Ubuntu Software

The package however is a 32-bit package which will also install a list of 32-bit libraries as dependencies.

Option 2: Steam’s official .deb package

Steam website offers official .deb package available for Debian/Ubuntu based systems.

User can download and then double-click on the package in file manager to install it.

Option 3: Flatpak package

The game platform is also available as the universal Flatpak package that runs in sandbox.

Just for choice, you may first run command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) to install the Flatpak daemon:

sudo apt install flatpak

Then, install steam as flatpak package by running command:

flatpak install https://dl.flathub.org/repo/appstream/com.valvesoftware.Steam.flatpakref

Summary:

Ubuntu starts working on its official Steam package as Snap. Meaning user can now directly search for and install the game platform from Ubuntu Software. Besides that, there are also an installer script in Ubuntu Software, official .deb package from steam website, and Flatpak package available for choices.

The free open-source kart racing game, SuperTuxKart, released the new stable 1.4 version. Here’s the new features and how to install guide for Ubuntu Linux.

SuperTuxKart 1.4 fixed a dependency bug for MacOS user, meaning it’s now running again for macOS ranging from 10.9 to 10.14 (Mavericks to Mojave).

The release also introduced experimental support for Vulkan renderer, for low CPU usage and better multi-platform support. User may try it out by either typing “/vulkan” in networking lobby and restart the game, or starting the game with --render-driver=vulkan argument.

A new character Godette, the mascot of the Godot Engine, is introduced in the release. And, the Konqi now has a newer and maturer look.

New Godette character

Other changes include:

• Lap trial mode
• ARMv7 build for Windows
• LOD optimization
• Implement HiDPI support in SDL2 properly.
• Make sky particle always fall vertically.
• Updated Battle Island and Cave X.
• New textures in Shifting Sands.
• Add track searching to network track screen
• Allow using real addon karts
• Add left side ghost replay difficulties

How to Install SuperTuxKart 1.4 in Ubuntu

The game is available in Ubuntu Linux via Snap, Deb, and Flatpak package, though they all are not updated at the moment of writing.

Portable Tarball

In case you can’t wait to try it out, download the portable tarball from releases page.

Select download the ‘SuperTuxKart-1.4-linux-x86_64.tar.xz’ for modern 64-bit PC/laptop, and arm64 (or armv7) package for mobile device. Then, just extract and run the executable file to start the game.

Snap package

Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 22.10 user can directly search for and install the game from Ubuntu Software app. Though it’s a Snap package runs in sandbox and still in v1.3 at the moment of writing, it updates automatically once the maintainer publish the new package.

SuperTuxKart in Ubuntu Software

Ubuntu PPA

For those prefer the native .deb package format. The game has an official PPA with all current Ubuntu releases support.

1. First, open terminal either from start menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stk/dev

Type user password when it asks (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then update and install the game:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install supertuxkart

After that, you can always get the latest game packages by receiving updates via Software Updater (Update Manager).

Uninstall SuperTuxKart

For snap package, simply remove it using Ubuntu Software.

For the PPA package, open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove supertuxkart supertuxkart-data

And remove the PPA either via Software & Updates utility under ‘Other Software’ tab or run command below in a terminal window:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:stk/dev

0 A.D., the free open-source RTS game of ancient warfare, got a new release update a few days ago.

It’s 0 A.D. Alpha 26, code-name ‘Zhuangzi’, features new civilization: The Han, which was the second imperial dynasty of China. It has beautiful new art, unique technologies, buildings, as well as new gameplay strategies to explore.

The release also introduced 2 new map: Tarim basin – an endorheic basin in Northwest China, Xinjiang region; and Yangtze (aka Chang Jiang) the longest river in Asia.

New civilization: The Han with new art, unique technologies, buildings

Other changes in the release include:

• Units now have a slight acceleration
• 26 new music tracks including two themed for the Han
• Add player search to the lobby
• option to share allies the parts of the map discovered.
• New “Call to arms” button.
• See the release note for more details.

How to Install 0 A.D. Alpha 26 in Ubuntu

For Ubuntu and their based systems, the official PPA repository has been updated with the new packages for Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 18.04.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open a terminal window. Then, run the command below to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:wfg/0ad

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) for sudo prompt and hit Enter to continue.

2. Old Ubuntu 18.04 and Linux Mint users have to manually refresh the package cache after adding the PPA, though it’s done automatically in Ubuntu 20.04+. And, this can be done by running command:

sudo apt update

3. Finally, either run the command below to install the game:

sudo apt install 0ad

Or launch “Software Updater” and update the game package if an old version was installed.

Uninstall:

To remove the game package, simply open a terminal window and run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove 0ad

And, remove the Ubuntu PPA repository using command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:wfg/0ad

Want to play some games in Ubuntu desktop? Gamebuntu is a new project to make life easier for beginners!

Without searching for how to tutorials and struggling with Linux commands, Gamebuntu is an all-in-one app makes it possible to single click to install Steam, Heroic / Epic Game launcher, Minigalaxy GOG client, and/or Lutris game clients.

Install Game Clients via Single clicks!

The app also offer buttons to easily install other useful apps for setting up Ubuntu for gaming. They include:

• OBS Studio for streaming purpose
• Discord for chatting
• MangoHUD for system details, frame time and FPS counter.
• GameMode to optimize game performance,
• OpenRGB to configure coolers and RAM modules with RGB.
• Piper to configure gaming peripharals.
• Polychomatic to configure Razer devices.
• Noise Torch – real-time microphone noise suppresstion.
• Low latency / xanmode kernel for critical runtime applications

And if the NVIDA proprietary drivers installed, it will offer shortcut for configuring Nvidia driver settings.

Install Gamebuntu:

Gamebuntu is a free open-source project in earlier stage. It’s so far recommended for Ubuntu 20.04 LTS only. The source code is hosted in gitlab page.

The developer used to provide the .AppImage package, so the app itself may run without installation.

Sadly, it makes itself NOT easy to beginners to install. See installation instructions in the project page:

And to keep track of the project, you may get in touch with the software developer by visiting this thread.

Many free open-source apps got new releases before new year 2022. The side-scrolling game SuperTux 0.6.3 is one of them!

The Super Mario Bros look like game added many exciting new features in v0.6.3, including:

• WASM compilation to play in browser.
• Swimming
• Wall jumping
• Autotiles
• New snow tiles, objects
• Add-on creator
• Optional integration with Discord
• Official binaries for FreeBSD, Linux 32-bit and Ubuntu Touch
• Custom particles, in-game progress statistics, skippable cutscenes.
• Updated animations, rework of the Revenge in Redmond worldmap.

How to Install SuperTux via PPA in Ubuntu:

The game offers official Linux packages via universal Flatpak, non-install AppImage, and 32-bit portable tarball. They are available to download at the link below:

For those prefer the native DEB package for Ubuntu based systems. I’ve uploaded the packages into this unofficial PPA for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 21.04, Ubuntu 21.10, and Linux Mint 20, etc.

Besides 64-bit package for modern PC and 32-bit for old PC (Ubuntu 18.04 only), there are also armhf/arm64 packages for devices such as Apple Silicon and Raspberry Pi.

1. Add the Ubuntu PPA:

To add the PPA, firstly press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal (or search from start menu). When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/supertux

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

SuperTux also has an official daily PPA which builds the game packages almost every day. You may use the PPA instead for the bleeding edge version:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:supertux-dev/daily

2. Update package cache:

For Ubuntu 18.04 and some Ubuntu based systems, user may need to manually update the system package cache via command:

sudo apt update

3. Install / Upgrade SuperTux:

The package in PPAs is a little bit different. The stock versions in Ubuntu repository built the package into supertux and supertux-data. Apology for being lazy, the PPA packages built into single supertux.

Which means, upgrading from the stock Supertux version to v0.6.3 using “Software Updater” may not work. Instead, user need to run the command in terminal to install or upgrade the game package:

sudo apt install supertux

How to Remove or Downgrade SuperTux:

For any issue, user may purge the PPA repository which also downgrade the game package to the stock version in Ubuntu repository (change PPA name depends which one you use):

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/supertux

Or, remove the game package directly by running command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove supertux

And, user may remove the PPA instead of purging it via “Software & Updates” utility.