Ubuntu and games?

Hey all,

I am wondering if any gamers have experience with Ubuntu? I am currently running XP home and I was wondering what Ubuntu is like in terms of running Windows applications. Would I have a problem with my hardware or software or does Ubuntu emulate XP drivers closely enough so that I shouldn't have any problems? Any feedback at all from any Ubuntu users would be appreciated! Thanks!

I don't really use Ubuntu as my gaming plataform, but with the right tweaks to your graphics drivers and WINE, I think you can get to run CS 1.6 and other games.

But the only game I play in Ubuntu is Brutal Chess, check it!!

Your hardware drivers should hopefully work out of the box, Ubuntu tries to make switching to linux easy (although not always posible) with the idea that you don't have to muck around searching for drivers.

As far as gaming goes or running windows applications, you can check the status of how well programs work in WINE by going to http://appdb.winehq.org/. From what I understand your more likely to get games working if you have a Nvidia card than an ATI. Of course, instead of windows applications there are plenty of free alternatives when it comes to open source, so you may find you no longer need your old windows apps when running Ubuntu.

I've used it a fair amount just to test how games would perform.

It actually does ok, but if you're serious about PC gaming, it's not really that viable. If you just like it for the off game here or there, it might actually be up your alley.

As UKHacker pointed out, check WineHQ's application database to see if it has what you want working. I'd say mostly focus on games because most Windows apps have reasonable substitutes on Linux. Also, you might want to check out Cedega or Crossover Games to see if they have what you want. They cost money, but once you buy in, it's yours to keep forever (you just won't get future updates).