Ubuntu developers have decided to stop shipping games in future installs.
While Ubuntu 23.10 defaults to a minimal install offering only core software essentials (like a terminal and web browser) users may opt for a “full installation” which preinstalls additional software, including a handful of simple GNOME games.
In Ubuntu 23.10 and earlier the following 4 games are provided:
- Aisleriot Solitaire
- Mahjongg
- Mines
- Sudoku
But in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS none are.
For the Noble Numbat, no games will be installed as part of the full install option and won’t be present in the ISO (which includes all of the software used in a full install so that people opting for a full install can install everything they need without an internet connect).
When I began this blog Ubuntu came with around 15 games (the entire gnome-gamesmeta-package, I think). In 2010 the number of games was reduced to more focused set. Bar the odd change in the years following the same games have been present ever since.
Well, no more.
Ubuntu developers say they no longer feel these GNOME games are “representative of what Ubuntu and the wider Linux community has to offer to gamers”.
Dropping them also frees up a bit of space: roughly 65MB (~15MB from the games and ~50MB from a dependency only needed by one game, though I am rounding numbers down to avoid doing maths).
Will anyone care (or even notice) that these games are no longer there?
On the one hand Ubuntu dropping games from its full install is a bit grinch-y. The full install is (somewhat) aimed at offering a complete, rounded computing experience and a few simple games, while not something people install an OS for, are a fun facet of that.
On the other hand, I imagine most people needing to waste 5 minutes while waiting for a download to finish, code to compile, or a render job to complete do what I do: open a browser tab and go read something, or pick up their smartphone.
To be clear:
- This change only “affects” folks choosing a full installation
- Upgrading to 24.04? These games will not be removed/uninstalled
- All of the games remain in the archives for anyone to install
- Telling you something is happening is not “clickbait”
- Reporting a decision is not stirring up hate
- I (Joey) have no real/strong opinion on this anyway
- Explaining common sense is reductive
So yeah – figured I’d pass on word.
Also, I’d love to know if any one reading this plays these games — ever? regularly? — and where you stand on the idea of Ubuntu including games in its full (obviously not minimal/default) install. Sound off down in the comment-o’s.
