[kasperl]

i am planning to do a LAN party with some friends soon, but we need something to play. now, our computers aren;t spectacular, and neither are our wallets, so the game needs to meet the following requirements:

1) free, or at least cheap ($10 for 8 PC's max)
2) low end, the lower the requirements, the better.
3) reasonably simple to learn
4) good multiplayer, with at least 8 players.
5) easy LAN support

if something needs a linux server, i can arrange that.

a shooter is the main target, because it is the quickest and easiest gameplay. for a flight/space sim we could use FS2, but i doubt we could get everybody joysticks for that. a nice RTS would be nice too, but quick gameplay and low learning curve is very important.

[DragonClaw]

http://www.soldat.prv.pl/

[kasperl]

i didn't know i had to add 3d, sorry.

no, really, a 3d shooter is the target here, it's a bit more fun, i think.

[DragonClaw]

You'd be suprised how fun that game is, but meh

You could go for Quake

Also, the BF1942 demo is quite entertaining, the Wake Island map. Especially for LAN parties. On the internet, newbies ruin the game. So I suggest that if your computer can handle it.

[kasperl]

i know, i am dl'ng that now, but since it runs in DOS, i doubt anyone will be impressed by the graphics, and other suggestions are nice too.

edit: please note, i am note all that afraid of getting games free, even if the publisher intended otherwise. PM's are welcome.

[Odyssey]

[color=cc9900]Why do you need a joystick for FS2? You've got keyboards and mice, right?[/color]

[kasperl]

don't start another mouseVSjoystick debate in here, but i can't stand flying with a mouse/trackball.

[mikhael]

Because flying a WW2 style space shooter with a keyboard and mouse is like driving a car with your teeth.

[Odyssey]

[color=cc9900]I'm not starting a debate. You use a joystick, everyone in your party who doesn't have a joystick uses mice, where's the problem? Sure they won't like it, but...[/color]

[kasperl]

because most of those friends share my opinion.

[Odyssey]

[color=cc9900]Then I don't see the problem, because they ought to own a joystick if they like them so much...[/color]

[kasperl]

but, getting a comp from one house to another over 12KM is hard on a bycycle, adding stuff like joysticks makes it harder.

[Corhellion]

Duke Nukem 3D (only 4 players though...I think)

Quake or Quake 2

uh...Descent?

I'll think of more later

[01010]

Originally posted by kasperl
i know, i am dl'ng that now, but since it runs in DOS, i doubt anyone will be impressed by the graphics, and other suggestions are nice too.

edit: please note, i am note all that afraid of getting games free, even if the publisher intended otherwise. PM's are welcome.

I think Valve are giving the original half life away with Steam if you download it.

[aldo_14]

Quake 3 demo?  

Um, budget - looking through dabs - both serious sam games (together - great in co-op), half life, Unreal tournament, worms, solider of fortune, MoH (I think) - quite a lot really.  I think most of these have multiplayer

Serious Sam has great co-op multiplayer, plus it runs well on lower end machines.  Plus has deathmatch.

OR! Wolfenstein:Enemy Territory - it's free, and it's pretty damn good.  I used to play it a lot, though I stick to Call of Duty mostly nowadays - simply cos it looks nicer .

[diamondgeezer]

Get the Unreal Tourney demo, I'd say. Everyone loves UT

[Bobboau]

doom

[Drew]

Originally posted by diamondgeezer
Get the Unreal Tourney demo, I'd say. Everyone loves UT

i can run UT on a P2 300 mhz, 64 SDRAM, voodoo 16mg....
its hella fun to

[Impurial]

Is RtCW:ET low end?

Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP OS (Windows NT 4.0 not recommended for clients)
100% Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP compatible system (including all 32bit drivers)
Intel Pentium® III 600Mhz processor or equivalent
128 MB RAM
32 MB 100% fully OpenGL® compliant 3-D video card
Microsoft® Direct X® 8.1 or higher (not included)
271 MB total disk space for game files
500 MB free disk space for swap file
100% Microsoft® Windows® compatible keyboard
100% Microsoft® Windows® compatible mouse
100% Microsoft® Windows® compatible sound card
For internet play, 100% Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP compatible 56.6k modem or better internet connection. 56.6k modem play is not recommended for games with more than 8 players total; broadband players should be able to handle up to 32 depending on their connection with the server on which they're playing.

Maybe not.  But it's free... you can find more freebies here and there.

[Sandwich]

Originally posted by aldo_14
Quake 3 demo?  

Um, budget - looking through dabs - both serious sam games (together - great in co-op), half life, Unreal tournament, worms, solider of fortune, MoH (I think) - quite a lot really.  I think most of these have multiplayer

Serious Sam has great co-op multiplayer, plus it runs well on lower end machines.  Plus has deathmatch.

OR! Wolfenstein:Enemy Territory - it's free, and it's pretty damn good.  I used to play it a lot, though I stick to Call of Duty mostly nowadays - simply cos it looks nicer .

Serious Sam rocks. Seriously!!