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Tux Racer, a 3D computer game starring the Linux mascot Tux the penguin, was formerly free software released under the GNU General Public License. It is then developed by Sunspire Studios at http://tuxracer.com/ and retailed for $14.99. Tux racer runs on GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows.
Sunspire Studios seem to have gone bankrupt, as their domains http://www.sunspirestudios.com/ and http://www.tuxracer.com/ have been sold. According to archive.org there have been no significant changes since 22nd September 2002: the Tux Racer 1.1.1 Linux Patch was released then [1] (http://web.archive.org/web/20040210112210/http://tuxracer.com/). It looks like the site continued to exist almost unchanged until 2004. Their demo of version 1.1 can still be downloaded here (http://www.fileplanet.com/files/80000/84323.shtml).
In the game, the player controls Tux (or one of three other characters) as he slides down a course of snow and ice collecting herring. Ice is best for gaining speed, snow helps maneuverability and the occasional rocky patch will slow Tux down. There are also trees in the way and flags to mark out the course.
The controls are typical of a racing sim, except that the up arrow, "paddle", will slow Tux down when at a high speed and can also be used to increase the length of a jump. Jumps can be caused by the shape of the landscape or by holding down the "energy" key (usually e) and releasing it. Releasing the key when a jump is imminent will naturally make a larger jump.
Players can design new courses by creating (or, more easily, modifying) three bitmap images, to indicate height, surface and objects (trees, flags, herring etc.).
Like most, if not all, formerly Open-Source games, its replay value is improved by being easily modified. The game can be quite amusing, although unrealistic. If it is altered, not only can penguins fly, they can exceed mach one.
For Linux Users, PPRacer (http://projects.planetpenguin.de/racer/) (Planet Penguin Racer) is recommended, as it has more features plus the same tracks. For Gentoo users this is available from the Portage. Debian Users can install the optional APT package "tuxracer-extras", with additional courses.
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