Open Source
Ongoing coverage on Open Source.
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GNOME Fellowship program announced to support "critical and under-resourced areas"
The GNOME Foundation has announced the GNOME Fellowship program to provide financial support for individuals working on critical and under-resourced areas of open source development. The program aims to address the reliance on volunteers for essential open source technologies. Applications are now open for the first cycle, which will begin in May 2026, with fellows generally working for 12 months on areas of their choosing, including build systems, testing frameworks, and documentation.
Infinity Engine open source remake GemRB 0.9.5 gets Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition playable
The open-source Infinity Engine remake project GemRB has released version 0.9.5, significantly improving compatibility for classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment, and Icewind Dale, including their enhanced editions. This update brings enhancements to audio, input handling, pathfinding performance, and adds EE-like zoom functionality across supported games.
Thief-like open source game project The Dark Mod 2.14 released
The free and open source stealth game project The Dark Mod has released version 2.14, focusing on bug fixes and performance improvements since the 2.13 release. This update enhances AI visibility, resolves long-standing bugs related to saving and crashes, and improves graphical features like tone-mapping and projected decals. The game engine continues to be supported by a community building maps and campaigns for a modern Thief-like experience on Linux and Windows.
OpenTTD asks people to please stop being mad at Atari for forcing the game off Steam: 'OpenTTD as a project retains its full independence,' and you can still get it for free
The OpenTTD development team is asking fans to stop directing anger at Atari following the removal of OpenTTD from Steam and GOG. The team clarified that Atari has been collaborative, allowing OpenTTD to remain free on its own website while Transport Tycoon Deluxe is re-released commercially. Atari will also contribute to OpenTTD's server infrastructure costs.
Atari Partly Funding OpenTTD Following Controversial Steam and GOG Changes
Atari is now partly funding the upkeep costs for the open-source simulation game OpenTTD, following recent controversial changes to its Steam and GOG releases. The developers clarified that Atari, owner of Transport Tycoon Deluxe, agreed to contribute to server infrastructure costs without pressure, while OpenTTD retains its independence. These changes mean players must now own Transport Tycoon Deluxe to access OpenTTD on Steam or GOG.
OpenRazer v3.12.0 brings Linux support for more Razer devices
The open-source project OpenRazer has released version 3.12.0, adding support for several new Razer peripherals on Linux. This update includes devices like the Razer BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless HyperSpeed, Razer Mouse Dock Pro, and Razer Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz, alongside various bug fixes and improvements to the Python library. The project aims to provide a community-driven alternative to vendor-specific software.
Manjaro Linux looks like it's in trouble with the release of the "Manjaro 2.0 Manifesto"
The Manjaro Linux distribution is facing internal turmoil following the release of the "Manjaro 2.0 Manifesto." Developers and community members are expressing dissatisfaction with the current leadership, particularly founder Philip Müller, stating that the project has become overly centralized. They propose splitting the project into a company and a non-profit association to foster a more collaborative environment, and are considering a strike due to stalled progress.
Wizznic - An opensource puzzle game has arrived on the Amiga via Paulthetall
The open-source puzzle game Wizznic, originally created by Dusted for Windows and Linux, has been ported to the Amiga by Paulthetall. This demanding game is available for powerful Amiga devices and features arcade and career modes with 160 levels, as well as a level creator.
Saturday Tech Bits
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build for the Canary Channel, version 29550.1000. The article also briefly mentions the release of Debian version 13.4 and highlights eight open-source tools.
Mesa 26.0.2 arrives with more bug-fixes for Linux graphics drivers
Mesa 26.0.2 has been released, providing bug fixes for open-source graphics drivers on Linux. This update addresses issues including build failures, visual glitches in Counter-Strike 2 and Mafia III on AMD hardware, VRAM memory leaks, and compiler assertion failures.
Lutris now being built with Claude AI, developer decides to hide it after backlash
The developer of the game manager Lutris has faced backlash for using AI-generated code from Anthropic's Claude, leading to concerns about trust and copyright in open-source software. The developer initially defended the use of AI as a valuable tool, citing personal health issues, but later removed AI co-authorship from commits, sparking further debate about transparency.
OBS Studio 32.1.0 arrives with WebRTC Simulcast support and a new Audio Mixer
OBS Studio version 32.1.0 has been released, introducing WebRTC Simulcast support and a new Audio Mixer. This update for the free and open-source livestreaming and video recording application also includes numerous improvements and bug fixes for enhanced security, plugin management, and overall stability across platforms like Linux and macOS.
D7VK version 1.5 brings Direct3D 3 support via Vulkan on Linux
The D7VK project has released version 1.5, adding support for Direct3D 3 via Vulkan on Linux, bringing the total supported Direct3D versions to 3, 5, 6, and 7 for use with Wine and Proton. This update includes significant improvements and fixes for various games, such as implementing execute buffers and back buffer/depth write backs, which resolve issues in titles like Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire and SimCity 4.
System76 fighting for open source being excluded from Colorado age checks
System76 is actively campaigning against age verification bills in Colorado, specifically SB26-051, to protect open source software. Founder Carl Richell met with Senator Matt Ball, who suggested excluding open source from the bill, a possibility System76 hopes to extend to California's similar legislation.
NVIDIA is reportedly working on its own open-source AI agent platform
NVIDIA is reportedly developing an open-source AI agent platform called NemoClaw, aimed at enterprise software companies. The platform will allow users to dispatch AI agents for various tasks, with a focus on security for enterprise networks. This initiative follows the trend of AI agents performing autonomous, complex tasks, with former OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger joining OpenAI.
Mesa driver developers discuss expanding profiles and driver tuning for specific apps and games
Valve developer Natalie Vock has proposed improvements to Mesa's app profiles and driver tuning system, currently used by the RADV AMD Vulkan driver. The plan aims to make tuning options more dynamic and easier to manage, potentially expanding to other drivers and incorporating user customization features.
New Release: 0 A.D. Release 28: Boiorix news
Wildfire Games has released version 28, codenamed "Boiorix," for their free, open-source real-time strategy game 0 A.D. This update introduces a new German faction, gendered civilians, direct font rendering, and various engine upgrades. The release also marks the end of the game's Alpha phase, with the developers seeking contributors for video editing, social media, and design.
Industrial-Etival - Free Online Browser Based HTML5 Game
Industrial-Etival is a free, browser-based HTML5 game built with open-source assets and currently in development. The game supports keyboard and mouse controls and is designed to run on a variety of graphics cards, including older NVIDIA and AMD models.
SpaghettiKart the Mario Kart 64 fan-made PC port gets a big upgrade
The Harbour Masters team has released a significant update for SpaghettiKart, their fan-made PC port of Mario Kart 64. This new version introduces a harder CPU difficulty, improved camera systems, an expanded custom track system, and numerous performance and stability enhancements. The project is distributed as open source, with users needing to provide their own game assets.
Lutris v0.5.21 and v0.5.22 arrive with Valve's Sniper runtime support and new game runners
Lutris, an open-source game manager for Linux, has released versions 0.5.21 and 0.5.22. These updates introduce support for Valve's Sniper runtime, new game runners for PS4 and Xenia, and various bug fixes and improvements, including updated Dolphin-emu runner and collapsible sidebar sections.