FOSS Linux first reported on SuperTuxKart, or STK, back in April of last year when the developers announced the release of SuperTuxKart 1.0, a version 12 years in the making.
Today, we bring you news of the final release of STK 1.1.
Supertuxkart 1.1 is released!https://t.co/rqSyxmVjGN
Download now athttps://t.co/v0GGZ9HjCZ— SuperTuxKart (@supertuxkart) January 5, 2020
STK is a popular free and open-source 3D kart racing game similar to Mario Kart. STK is distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) 3.0 with plans to dual-license under both GPL and Mozilla Public License (MPL) 2.0. It is to make the game available in various mobile app stores like the Apple App store, game consoles, and possibly Steam.
Users can download SuperTuxKart 1.1 for Android, Linux, Windows, and macOS from sourceforge.net, where the game enjoys a 4.5 (out of 5) stars rating. There’s also a SuperTuxKart beta for iOS available from Apple TestFlight for iPhone and iPad users.
About SuperTuxKart
Like all great computer games, STK comes complete with a plot, a cast of characters, and various tracks and arenas.
Users can download SuperTuxKart 1.1 for Android, Linux, Windows, and macOS
When played in Story Mode, the evil villain Nolok, King of the Carts, captures the leader of the free and open-source world, Gnu. He then informs Tux that, unless he and his mates can defeat him, then Gnu will be on Nolok’s dinner menu. Only when Tux and his friends defeat Nolok and free Gnu will the Mascot Kingdom be safe again.
STKs feature multiple characters, including the aforementioned dastardly Nolok, the mascot of the GNU Project, Gnu, and our lovable Linux mascot, Tux. Other popular characters include Wilbur, the mascot of GIMP, Beastie, the mascot of BSD, Emule, the mascot of eMule, mascot of XFCE, and a plethora of other open-source mascots. Users can also create and addon their mascots (called Karts), arenas, and tracks.
SuperTuxKart 1.1 brings us a multitude of improvements
STK users may race against the computer, attempt to surpass their fastest time in Time Trial mode, and compete in numerous Grand Prix cups. Users may also race and battle with up to eight people on the same PC, play over a local area network, or play online with other players, worldwide.
New Features
SuperTuxKart 1.1 brings us a multitude of improvements, including:
- Better Online Multi-Player Handling
- User Interface Improvement
- New “Pumpkin Park” Arena
- Better Mobile Support
- Ability to Display Emojis
- IPv6 Support
- AI Support for Local Network Servers
- Numerous Lag Issues Resolved
- Various Other Features and Improvements
SuperTuxKart installation on Linux
The installation is the same as those provided in our earlier article on SuperTuxKart 1.0, so please use the directions outlined there.
Alternately, users can add the STK dev PPA (which only contains stable builds despite its name) to install the latest version on Debian-based distros (as of this writing, however, STK 1.1 is not yet available).
# sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stk/dev
# sudo apt install supertuxkart
# sudo apt install supertuxcart
Conclusion
Whether you’ve never played it or like me, it’s been a while since you played STK, check it out. I had not played it in about four years and came away quite impressed with the new features, mainly the new and improved graphics. SuperTuxCart 1.1 is a welcome, fun, and entertaining 10-15 minute distraction no matter what’s your age.
