Quick Look at 0 A.D. - Free Linux RTS Game

0 A.D. is an open-source, 3D real time strategy game based with an ancient warfare theme, developed by Wildfire Games, and using the Pyrogenesis engine.

0 A.D. started originally as a mod concept for Age of Empires II, but in 2009 Wildfire Games licensed the code under the GPL and announced it will be open-source, available for Linux, Windows and Mac OS X.

The game is currently under heavy development, and the latest alpha was released on October 19 2010 (Alpha 2 'Bellerophon') and it currently includes the following features:

- 3D graphics using OpenGL - 1 civilisation units & buildings - fog of war - group movement and basic unit formations - population limits - repair command - minimap - unit following camera mod - building rotation keys

Considering it's still in alpha, the game doesn't have yet an AI opponent, however multiplayer works (the in-game manual explains how to play over Internet). Regarding single-player, you can still try the game to see the current features and adjust to the gameplay.

The developers didn't fix a date for the final release, but the final game is expected in 2011 or 2012.

Installation in Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat

To try it in Ubuntu, use the 0 A.D. PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:wfg/0ad sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install 0ad

Run the game by typing 0ad in a terminal or press Alt+F2 and type 0ad in the run box that appears.

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