How-To: Compile and Install the Battle for Wesnoth 1.4.3 on Debian Lenny

Note: This tutorial may also work in Ubuntu and other Debian-based distributions.

The last stable version of Wesnoth is 1.4.3, a maintenance release for the 1.4.x branch. This new branch features great improvements over the older stable, 1.2.8, like a whole bunch of new graphics, speed improvements, UI redesign to be more easier and intuitive, transparency effects, and many other.

In order to compile it, you will first need to install the necessary dependencies:

apt-get install libsdl1.2-dev libsdl-image1.2-dev libsdl-mixer1.2-dev libsdl-net1.2-dev pyste

The pyste package is required to get rid of this annoying error: configure: error: Could not find Boost headers version >= 1.33.

Next, download the source code from the official Wesnoth website. After you uncompress it, change the current working directory to wesnoth-1.4.3 and do the usual to compile:

./configure
make
make install

Wesnoth 1.4.3 - usual screen after starting the game

Wesnoth tutorial

Note: This tutorial also applies to the older 1.4.x versions.

Updated: Jun 11, 2008 (Created: Jun 11, 2008)

The Battle for Wesnoth 1.4.2 Review

It's been a while since I made the Battle for Wesnoth 1.2.8 Review, and now the brand new 1.4.2 release is out. What are the new features? What changed or improved since the last stable version? I will try to review most of the new features in the last Wesnoth release, as well as including some in-game screenshots.

What's new?
The first thing you'll notice when starting the game is a new background image, somewhat nicer than the older one. The tips now have different sources, like 'Handbook of Tactical Analysis Volume II' or quotes from well-known Wesnothian characters. The game interface is visibly faster and more responsive, which is one good improvement over 1.2.8, where you had to wait a considerable amount of time even on fast CPUs when entering multiplayer or starting a new single player game. It also benefits from sounds each time a button is pressed, with the possibility to turn this feature off.

Other highlights include: beautiful transparency effects for in-game messages, like the dialogues in campaigns; new sounds and songs; new and revised maps (the map formerly known as Meteor Lake is called now Fallenstar Lake); some units are now animated, creating a more dynamic experience; several units benefit from new artwork. The campaign number now increased to 13, so, except the classic ones like Heir to the Throne or The Rise of Wesnoth, new official campaigns are now available like Son of the Black-Eye or Descend into Darkness.

New background image

Another notable change is the way the map is scrolled now: it seems like it uses an algorithm for acceleration, creating a smoother scroll effect.

Isar's Cross 2vs2

Multiplayer
The multiplayer window offers the Preferences dialog so you can change options without the need to disconnect from the server. The amount of players doubled now (probably because both 1.2.8 and 1.3.x development branch players merged on the single 1.4 server) and you can find opponents at any given time.

Connected to the multiplayer server - notice the large number of players

Conclusion
If I gave Wesnoth 1.2.8 ten points out of ten, then I'd have to give this new release eleven out of ten, at least. It's getting better and better with each new version. I can say Wesnoth stands as a remarkable piece of art in the gaming world.

Updated: June 01, 2008 (Created: Jun 01, 2008)

The Battle for Wesnoth 1.2.8 Review

Updated: May 24, 2008

Introduction
The Battle for Wesnoth is a TBS (Turn-Based Strategy) game available for Linux, Windows and Mac. This review is based on the stable version 1.2.8 for Linux. It has a huge active community and it is in constant development, with new features added in each new version. A stable version is included in the Debian and Ubuntu repositories, and probably other distributions include it too, since it's licensed under the GPL. Great artwork, great music, does not need a powerful and expensive video card since it's 2D; you can run it in fullscreen mode or window mode.

Gameplay
The game provides six standard factions, and each faction has its own units to recruit, with different traits, attack types, and special abilities. For example Rebels have the Shaman, which heals adjacent units, or the Wose, which can hide and stay undetected in the forest. The Undead have the Ghost, which can heal a number of hit points equal with the damage inflicted to the opponent. The list goes on for every faction. The AI is powerful enough to provide a decent single player game, and you can always play the official campaigns or custom ones downloaded through the in-game menu. There are six official campaigns, which can be played at different difficulty levels, some of them being destined to newcomers and others to medium or advanced players. Newbies can first try the tutorial, which teaches the player the basic skills to understand and play the game. You can download new campaigns, factions and maps from the official server through the in-game menu.

Online playing is cool, except for a few annoying players which set countless labels on the entire map (if you play the game you know what I'm talking about). The best way to avoid these or players who quit often is to make a few friends on the official server, then only play with them. This will ensure a great, undisturbed game. There are always active players on the official server, so usually you will be able to join a game at any time. Forum members often organise tournaments between skilled (or not necessarily) players.

The only thing it does not have are persistent stats, as there is no option to register a nickname yet. I remember a forum thread about this, but I can't recall if there are plans to do a stats system (I'll come back with more info on this as soon as I get to read that thread again).

Don't forget to use one of Wesnoth's strong points: the help system. I always considered that a good software program, no matter if it's an office application, music player or multiplayer game, must provide good offline help and documentation. Wesnoth's help explains everything you need to know to play it well; also read the tips provided by the 'Tome of Wesnoth' each time you start the game.

Community and development
The forums are very active and include hundreds of good strategy guides, more artwork and campaigns. You can also download a lot of new campaigns and map packs using the in-game menu. New versions are released on a regular basis. This game always gives me a feeling like it's developing as I play it (you know, you don't feel like when you play some 3-4 years old game which is abandoned by its developers and no patches or updates are provided anymore because they only focus on the '2008' version of that game). A new development version is released very often (around 2 weeks), and a new stable version is made available once in several months.

Conclusion
Being native for Linux and licensed under the GPL, The Battle for Wesnoth is probably the perfect game for a TBS player running Linux. In my opinion, this game is purely superb. If I am to give a note, it's definitely 10 points out of 10. Great game!