Widelands
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| Widelands | |
|---|---|
 Four Tribes in Widelands Build 20 | |
| Genre | RTS, Economic simulation, Online |
| Latest release | 1.3.1 (Announcement) |
| Release date | February 22nd, 2026 |
| Platforms | GNU/Linux, Windows, macOS |
| Code license | GPLv2[1] |
| Media license | GPLv2[1] |
| P. language | C++, Lua |
| Library | SDL |
| Homepage | https://www.widelands.org/ |
| Contribute | |
| Widelands is a free game. This means that the source code and media files are available to be studied, modified, and distributed. Most projects look for help with testing, documentation, graphics, etc., as well. | |
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 Gentoo:
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 OpenMandriva:
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Widelands is a real-time strategy game. It uses the Simple DirectMedia Layer and is written in the C++ programming language. The source code and media are licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2.[1] Widelands has single-player campaigns as well as multi-player. It supports online play via their own meta-server as well as LAN and direct IP connection.
The latest release of Widelands is version 1.3.1 released on February 22nd, 2026.[2]
The game is completely translated in five languages, and for eight more languages translation is more than ⅔ complete.
Gameplay[edit]
Widelands was heavily inspired by Settlers II, but has surpassed it in terms of variety and complexity, whilst remaining rather intuitive.
The player is effectively a regent of a small clan of settlers, which start out only with a headquarters with resources. The object of Widelands is to build the economic infrastructure, and manage the construction of roads in order to expand the settlement and go to war.
The economic network is big and complex, and varies slightly in the different playable tribes in the game. The economy network of each tribe may be downloaded from the Widelands Encyclopaedia.[3]
One of the most important aspects of Widelands is the road system. A well optimized road system keeps goods moving, which means people can train and equip troops faster.
Some resources in Widelands are renewable, but require specific workers (such as rangers or foresters) to ensure that these resources don't disappear. However, some resources are of limited quantity. Once they're used up, they're gone forever.
Expansion of territory is done by the construction of military buildings and filling them with soldiers. The bigger the military building is, the more territory it will control. It is also possible to conquer enemy territory by sending soldiers into enemy military buildings to fight.
Tribes[edit]
Currently, there are five tribes that players can play as. Widelands is extensible, so that players may create their own tribes. They are Barbarians, the Empire, the Atlanteans, the Frisians, and the Amazons.[4]
- Barbarians: A tribe that is located in the north. They are master users of axes. For this reason they have the fastest lumberjacks in the game. They are not dangerous as long as you don't interfere with their affair. They are simplistic and practical in the sense that they do not make beautiful, but useful wares.
- Empire: An empire located in the Gulf of Perl. Their empire is built on the foundation of great inventions. They also believe that their rulers are Gods. However, they are experiencing internal conflicts as the emperor's sons fight amongst themselves to be the successor.
- Atlanteans: The most advanced tribe in the entire game. Even their buildings requires special materials and knowledge to construct. They sure are useful though.
- Frisians: The second-youngest tribe, aimed at advanced players.
- Amazons: The youngest tribe, whose economy greatly differs from the others.
Development[edit]
The development team of Widelands consists of many members from different countries.[5]
The game uses Lua as a scripting language in multiple places, for example scenario setup, win conditions and campaign mechanics.
Builds of the current development branch are provided as a Flatpak, through AUR for Arch and through a PPA for Ubuntu and derivatives.[6]
Version history[edit]
- See Widelands release history for more details.
External links[edit]
- Widelands' homepage
- Widelands' project page on launchpad