Linux

Docking Station
Docking Station was the first Creatures title ported to Linux, thanks to the work of Francis Irving and Ben Campbell.

Linux Howto

Creatures 3
It is possible to run Creatures 3 on Linux, either by copying from an existing install and making some configuration changes, or by using a special installer script from the CreaturesLinux Yahoo Group, instructions This allows you to create and use docked worlds under Linux without having to buy Linux Creatures Internet Edition.

Creatures Internet Edition
Following the original Windows release of Creatures Internet Edition and the later conversion of Docking Station for Linux, it was decided that CIE should also released in a playable form for Linux. Linux Creatures Internet Edition uses the Linux-ported version of the Docking Station engine, the lc2e, for both the Creatures 3 and Docking Station games. Prior to its release, players could download an installer from the files section of the CreaturesLinux Yahoo group to allow the Linux version of Docking Station to connect with the Creatures 3.

Other games
It is possible to run Creatures 1 using WINE. When using the default WINE DLLs, the applets don't function however, and there are graphical issues. The applets can be brought to function by installing Microsoft's native DCOM and OLE implementations (license required). You first have to obtain and install DCOM98. In addition to DCOM98, the file msvcrt40.dll also has to be copied from a Windows installation or obtained from another source (olepro32.dll might also be necessary). Creatures 1 can then be started by running 'WINEDLLOVERRIDES="ole32=n;rpcrt4=n;oleaut32=n;msvcrt40=n;olepro32=n" wine Launcher.exe'. It might be necessary to configure wine to mimic Windows 98 for this to work (use winecfg to change the Windows version to Windows 98). This procedure has been tested with the GOG.com version of Creatures - The Albian Years. Two glitches remain with this solution:


 * Graphical glitches (black spots in the objects, applet windows are slightly too small, see screenshot)


 * When closing an applet, the game occasionally freezes. Sending the TERM signal to the applet process (check 'ps x | grep -i .exe', look for the corresponding process id and run 'kill ' to terminate it) resumes the game.

If the View window is displayed incorrectly, disable Allow the window manager to decorate the windows under winecfg. This need to be done if using the Unity desktop environment.

WINE will also run the Windows versions of Creatures 3, Docking Station and Creatures Village as well as running the Genetics Kit for Creatures 3 and Docking Station to a limited extent.

The only option for running Creatures 2 without Windows seems to be the highly experimental openc2e.

lc2e
The official port of the Docking Station version of the Creatures Evolution Engine, for x86 only. Pretty much the only usable option for Creatures on Linux right now.

The Windows and Linux versions are compatible, so you can use agents, breeds and metarooms developed for the Windows versions with the Linux versions of the games. You can also freely swap exported creatures.

openc2e
openc2e is an in-development engine which runs Creatures 1, 2, 3, Creatures Village and Docking Station, but is still in alpha stages.

Jagent
Jagent is a Java suite for creating, compiling, parsing, and otherwise manipulating all sorts of Creatures files. It currently supports C16 files, S16 files, BLK files, PRAY source, and PRAY.

LiveGMS
LiveGMS is an online genetics editor.It offers a simple interface, and the ability to add a watermark to your work as well as save it to your computer, and open genomes from your computer. Compatible with C3/DS genomes only.

Norn Builder
Norn Builder is a new cross-platform Creatures developer tool being written by Don. The Norn Builder's main functions include the loading, editing and saving of body data attachment files, converting sprite images between breed slots and games, and for use as a creature-poser for making website clip art.

PyGenes
PyGenes is a third party genetics editor for Linux, in development by FishFace. It uses Python, PyGTK and Glade and should be Open Source on completion.

Vim
Vim is a free text editing program for Linux. The CDN offers a CAOS highlighting addon that also allows Vim to inject CAOS into the game.

Related links

 * Linux Category
 * Creatures Docking Station + Creatures 3 Linux (2015)