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Screeps: Arena is an online RTS for programming fans

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Do you love programming? How about real-time strategy games? Check out the new Native Linux release of Screeps: Arena. This is the second game in the series, with the first being Screeps: World that was released back in 2016 and gained a positive rating (and still has players too).

While Screeps: World was a persistent MMO, Screeps: Arena brings things down to be more like a traditional RTS that might end up appealing to a much wider variety of players. It's online only and PvP, where your scripts fight off against others autonomously. Actually sounds quite fun, if you enjoying writing a few lines first.

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Some of the features available include:

  • All aspects of an RTS game: gathering resources, base building, creating and upgrading units.
  • You don't control your units directly, you play by writing full-fledged JavaScript that runs on game servers.
  • Other languages are supported via WebAssembly: C/C++, Rust, TypeScript, Go, C#, F#, Kotlin, Swift, D, Pascal, Zig, the list is growing.
  • Your code is executed autonomously while fighting other players' code during series of short fast-paced 1x1 matchups.
  • The system will match equal opponents based on your arena rating that changes with every rating game.
  • You can find an equal opponent instantly 24/7 even if no other players are online, since their saved code is used instead.
  • Different "arenas" (multiplayer game modes) each with its own rules set and goals covering many aspects of a strategy game.
  • Only basic programming skills are required. However, if you are a pro developer, now is the chance to put your skills to the limit!
  • We will introduce new arenas every season so that you always have to write new code for different challenges.
  • Earn daily fame, gain resources and craft items to unlock more content during the season.
  • Play with friends and design your own challenges and arenas.

You can buy it on Steam in Early Access, there's also a demo available.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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About the author -
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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6 comments

riidom Apr 14, 2022
Not a single screenshot with actual code on the steam page, is it because you write in an external editor? Would be weird for a game, tbh.
Theodis Apr 14, 2022
Quoting: riidomNot a single screenshot with actual code on the steam page, is it because you write in an external editor? Would be weird for a game, tbh.

If it's anything like the original screeps then yeah there is a basic in game editor, but if you're a programmer you probably have a preferred editor which can be used with the game. I also used git as version control is very helpful for testing and reverting ideas.
ShabbyX Apr 15, 2022
They lost me at javascript, but then caught my attention again with C.
TheSHEEEP Apr 15, 2022
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Quoting: ShabbyXThey lost me at javascript, but then caught my attention again with C.
Yeah, I was also like "Oof, Javascript...." at first, but then saw you can have some proper typing if so desired.

Sounds like a very interesting idea, either way. Not sure if I'd ever have the patience for it, and also not sure if I want to also spend my free time coding if that's what I'm already doing for work...

Might give it a try at some point, just to see how it works.


Last edited by TheSHEEEP on 15 April 2022 at 8:38 am UTC
Lachu Apr 16, 2022
Somebody is playing Cobolot? It free as in price and as in freedom.
dmoonfire Apr 16, 2022
Screeps is one of those games I find overwhelming to get into (established shards) but fascinating because I love programming games of almost all types. I'm also enjoying BitBurner (despite not really being fond of Javascript in general).
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