Open Source
Ongoing coverage on Open Source.
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Sensible World of Soccer 96/97 AGA - A native Amiga AGA version for sports fans!
A new, ground-up rewrite of the classic football game Sensible World of Soccer 96/97, named OpenSWOS, has been released as a free, native AGA version for Amiga systems. This open-source project in C offers a true 256-colour palette and improves upon the original's capabilities, while also supporting modern emulators and future feature additions.
RocketWerkz' C# framework 'BRUTAL' is now available to all developers
RocketWerkz has open-sourced its C#-based game development framework, BRUTAL, offering an alternative to engines like Unity and Unreal Engine. The framework, which combines C# with C++ libraries and low-level graphics access, is free for commercial use with attribution requirements. This release comes amid growing developer concerns over the stability of third-party engine policies.
Linux kernel drops AI-contribution disclosure rule, as Linus Torvalds says banning the tech would be 'utterly…
The Linux kernel has removed a rule requiring contributors to disclose the use of AI tools in code creation. Lead maintainer Linus Torvalds argued that such disclosure provides no real value and that the focus should be on the quality of the code itself, not the tools used to create it. This change reflects the ongoing discussion within the open-source community about integrating AI into development.
DayZ creator Dean Hall releases open-source game development framework Brutal
Industry veteran Dean Hall, known for DayZ, has launched Brutal, a free, open-source C# game development framework developed by his companies Ahwoo and RocketWerkz. Hall criticizes major engines like Unity and Unreal for failing to be accountable to developers and potentially exploiting them through restrictive licensing as agentic workflows emerge. Brutal aims to offer developers more control and options, with several projects already utilizing it.
Crafting Apps Offers FREE, Open-Source Alternatives to Adobe Creative Software
The ArtCraft team has launched Crafting Apps, a project offering free, open-source alternatives to popular Adobe creative software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro. These applications, developed in Rust, aim to provide cost-effective tools for artists and creators, though they are currently in early development.
Capcom Aiming to Make RE Engine Into an AI Gaming Engine
Capcom is aiming to evolve its in-house RE Engine into an AI-generation game engine, dubbed the REX engine, to improve development efficiency and iteration times. The company hopes to make REX open-source for other developers, with initial tools like RE:Dox and RE:Log focusing on data translation and log streamlining. The author expresses skepticism about AI's role in game development, particularly regarding AI-generated content.
PS5 Linux dev abandons the project as AI "slop kiddies" ruin open-source mods ahead of GTA 6: "Just a bunch of noobs using LLMs and writing hacks they don't even understand"
Andy Nguyen, the lead developer for the PlayStation 5 Linux project, has abandoned his work due to frustrations with the open-source community, specifically citing the influx of users misusing AI tools to create low-quality mods. He expressed disappointment that these 'slop kiddies' are exploiting vulnerabilities, potentially jeopardizing the project and the community's efforts, especially with the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Switzerland trials ditching Microsoft and using free and open-source software, available for 'around 3,000…
Switzerland's Federal Chancellery has successfully trialed the use of open-source software as a replacement for Microsoft 365, concluding it is feasible for its Federal Administration. A follow-up program will make these solutions available to approximately 3,000 employees by the end of 2027, aiming for greater digital sovereignty.
Nvidia acquires open-source AI platform Hugging Face for $12.9bn
Nvidia has acquired the artificial intelligence platform Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, with approximately $11.9 billion going to investors and up to $1 billion in stock-based retention incentives. Hugging Face, founded in 2016, will remain open-source, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated the deal will enhance its infrastructure while preserving its open ecosystem.
Nvidia puts its money where its mouth is on open weight AI, moving to buy Hugging Face for $13 billion
Nvidia has announced its intention to acquire Hugging Face, a leading open platform for machine learning applications, for approximately $13 billion. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that Hugging Face will remain an open platform, supporting various models, frameworks, and computing platforms, emphasizing Nvidia's commitment to open-source AI development.
Linux manages to avoid the age verification apocalypse, but SteamOS isn't in the clear yet
California's Digital Age Assurance Act, set to take effect in 2027, will exempt open-source operating systems like Linux from mandatory age verification checks due to an amendment. However, Valve's SteamOS, which has proprietary elements, may still be subject to compliance, and users will likely still need to verify their age on Steam for certain games.
Two Alleged TeamPCP Hackers Arrested in Australia Over Supply Chain Worm That Hit 1,000+ Organizations
The Australian Federal Police have arrested two men in Western Australia in connection with the TeamPCP hacking group, which allegedly distributed malware through open source software packages, impacting over 1,000 organizations. The group's supply chain attack, utilizing a worm named Shai-Hulud, compromised tools like the Trivy vulnerability scanner, leading to the theft of terabytes of credentials and private data.
Nvidia’s $12.9 Billion Bet on Hugging Face Arrives as the Closed Labs Drift Away
Nvidia is acquiring the open-source AI platform Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, a price significantly higher than its estimated $150 million annual revenue. This strategic move aims to bolster Nvidia's position in the AI market as major clients like OpenAI and Google develop their own custom silicon, potentially reducing their reliance on Nvidia's hardware. The acquisition is seen as a counterweight to the trend of closed AI labs, securing Nvidia's hardware dominance within the open-source AI community.
Linus Torvalds details his 'debug session from hell' pushing an AI to fix an error it repeatedly said was 'impossible and unsolvable'. He then made it write the report
Linux creator Linus Torvalds detailed a challenging debugging session where an AI repeatedly failed to solve a 'round_up()' to 'round_down()' error, suggesting it was impossible. Despite the AI's repeated suggestions to give up, Torvalds persisted through 24 patches and 18 kernel boots to fix the issue, ultimately letting the AI write the commit message. The article also touches on the broader debate surrounding generative AI in coding, its potential pitfalls, and the ethical concerns raised by AI-assisted game development projects.
W4 Games raises $18M to expand its international team
W4 Games, a startup founded by former Godot veterans, has secured $18 million in Series B funding, primarily led by Tencent. The investment will be used to expand its international team, accelerate the development of its enterprise offering, and support the growing demand for the open-source game engine Godot. Tencent also signed a multi-year strategic partnership to help scale W4 Games and the Godot ecosystem in Asia.
Godot adoption is rising: what are devs getting out of the engine?
Godot is experiencing significant adoption growth among game developers, driven by its lightweight nature, fast testing capabilities, and open-source model. This trend accelerated following Unity's controversial runtime fee announcement, leading many developers to seek alternatives. Developers praise Godot for its quick startup times, efficient debugging, and ability to run on less powerful hardware, making it a viable tool for both hobbyists and commercial projects.
OpenTTD - Open Source Transport Tycoon Deluxe gets a big PC update, as well as Amiga port!
The open-source simulation game OpenTTD has received a significant update for PC, version 16.0-beta1. Additionally, a port of OpenTTD v1.0.5 for Amiga systems (OCS/AGA/RTG) has been released, offering a native experience without requiring SDL or an RTG card. Transport Tycoon Deluxe, the original game by Chris Sawyer, was a popular PC title in the mid-90s.
Meta's 'open source' Muse Glimmer model can run on a single computer
Meta has released a new, slimmed-down open-source AI model called Muse Glimmer. This model is designed to be lightweight enough to run on a single computer.
Moving away from Windows is getting a little easier, as Linux will soon support more SteelSeries gaming headsets
Open-source developers are improving Linux driver support for SteelSeries gaming headsets, with a new patch set to be included in the upcoming Linux 7.3 kernel merge window. This update will enhance compatibility for 14 SteelSeries models, addressing issues like battery reporting and wireless functionality that have previously been problematic on Linux-powered systems.
Embrace the great Tech Pause
The article advocates for a 'Tech Pause,' encouraging gamers to appreciate existing hardware rather than constantly chasing the latest expensive technology. It highlights the stagnation in GPU improvements and the rising costs of PCs and consoles, suggesting that older hardware is still capable of playing a vast library of games, including many new releases. The piece also celebrates the advancements in emulation and PC handhelds as more accessible and rewarding avenues for gaming.
