Running Linux, 5th Edition - Matthias Kalle Dalheimer [112]
UT2K4 chooses its installation directory based on what user runs the installer. If a regular user starts the installer, UT2K4 creates a ut2004 directory under the user's home directory. Although the game will run fine for a single user either way, if you do have root privileges on a machine, it is better to install it for every user in case you decide to switch users. If you run linux-installer.sh as root, it will install to /usr/local/games/ut2004/ by default and be made available to all users on the system.
To install UT2K4, mount CD1, also labeled the Install Disc, on your Linux system and execute the file called linux-installer.sh. Most file managers will execute the file if you click on it; otherwise, you can open a terminal and type:
# /mnt/cdrom/linux-installer.sh &
After you accept the licensing agreement, you will see the primary screen for the Linux installer, as shown in Figure 7-5.
In this primary screen you can change many of the installation settings, including where to install, what language to use, and whether to add menu entries for KDE and GNOME. The install uses about 5 GB of space, so make sure you have enough free space cleared up; otherwise, the Begin Install button will be disabled. Once you click Begin Install, the installer will prompt you for your CD key and then start copying files from the CD-ROM to the hard drive. If you purchased the default CD edition of UT2K4, you will be prompted to switch CDs throughout the process. If you purchased the DVD special edition, you can install the full game without swapping discs.
Once the install finishes, you can click the Start button in the final window to start the game, you can select it from your KDE or GNOME menu, or you can simply type ut2004 in a terminal. Unlike in Windows, you do not need to have the play disc mounted in the CD-ROM drive to play.
Play
One of the first things you will want to do when you start UT2K4 for the first time is go over all of the configuration settings and key bindings and make sure they are to your liking. All of these settings can be configured in the Settings menu on the main screen. All of the game options, from screen resolution to special visual effects and your player's skin and name, can be configured here. Your options and saved games are then stored in the ~/.ut2004 directory. You can even tweak the text configuration files (they end in .ini) under ~/.ut2004/System/ by hand if you so choose.
Figure 7-5. Primary UT2K4 install screen
UT2K4 has a variety of play options. The first is to play in single-player mode, which places you as the captain of a team of arena fighters you choose. Your team then moves up the ranks playing different types of team games:
Capture the Flag
Like traditional capture the flag in other FPSs, your team attempts to penetrate the opposing team's base, grab its flag, and return it to your flag while preventing them from doing the same to you. You score points for each flag you capture.
Bombing Run
This game is a bit like basketball. A ball is placed in the middle of the map, and each team has a goal on its side. Points are scored when a player picks up the ball and fires it through the opposing team's goal. If you kill the player with the ball, the ball is dropped and you can pick it up.
Double Domination
A variant on capture the flag, in this game the map has two "domination points" that are initially set to neutral. The object is to run over both domination points, which sets them to your side, and keep both domination points set for 10 seconds to score.
Assault
This game operates with a series of rounds. Each round-one team takes the role of attacker and the other takes the role of defender. The attacker team has a series of goals to accomplish