My Favorite Free Computer Games
A.I. Wars is a very interesting 'game' where you program a little bug/robot to compete against others. It is very simple to pick up and all the code is written using BASIC and it is executed internally using its own BASIC interpriter. It should be noted that the name is a little misleading, as it has absolutly nothing to do with AI, even so it is still great fun and it it interesting to see how a very fast, but stupid robot can easly out-compete a very slow, but clever robot. This is due to the way that each robot gets a certain number of 'instuction cycles per tick', which in turn encorages you to learn to write effecient code. If you are interested in programming or allready know a little about programming, then this is definitely a fun way to learn. (Here is the best cybug I managed to make: SuperBug3 [Just copy & paste the code into the editior]).
RuneScape is a free RPG which I have spent (wasted!) quite a lot of time playing in the past. It is 100% written using JAVA and does not require a client to be downloaded. They are currently improving the user interface at the moment, and it is starting to look much better. The only bad thing I would say about it is the shear amount of time you can waste on stupid stuff like 'virtual' fishing etc, even so it is still good fun (until you get bored of it!).
Crossfire RPG is my favorite open-source RPG. It is mainly written to work under linux/unix, but there are windows clients available (even though they are a bit buggy!). I fist found this randomly looking through the linux man pages, played it single player, then finally played it online. I haven't played it for quite some time now, mainly due to a very poorly executed code/server update on the metalforge server, but if you like RPG's or can remeber an old game called Gauntlet, you will probably like it.
Freeciv is an open-source version of Sid Miers Civilization. It is getting to the stage where it is nearly as good a Civ II, and can be played online. The only critism I would have, is the fact that I used to like to 'brew' my cities in Civ II, but the best streatergy in Freeciv seems to be to build a massive sprawl of little citys (termed by players as the 'smallpox' streatergy). Even so it is one of the best open-source stratergy games I have played yet.
Virtual Stock Exchange Is the best free stock market simulation I have found yet, with the data linked to real US stock quotes (20 minute delay). It is 100% free now and is a fun way to play using 'virtual' money, rather than real money. There are lots of competitions you can enter, or if you want you can simply play alone. You will be surprised at just how happy/sad/mad losing your 'virtual' cash can be!
Sites with a Comprehensive List of Games (Old and New)
GamingBliss.Com Is a very comprihensive PC game database which has info about nearly every game ever written.
Sites where you can Download Old 'Abandonware' Games for Free
Home of the Underdogs Has a very comprihensive collection of old 'abandonware' games. The only bad thing I can say about this site is the shear bombardment of adverts and popup windows you get, and I would suggest installing an advert blocker such as Guidescope before you use it.
Helpful Information
DirectX Ports Required to Play on a Network when using a Router or Internet Conection Sharing - Very helpful information, if like me you use internet connection sharing, and wish to play non-server based 'Direct-Play' games.
Last updated: 23/05/04