Possible to run games without a DE?

Espionage724 · 2014-07-22 00:00:17

In my situation, I have a typical x86 computer setup primarily for use with StepMania. Currently, I run Lubuntu with LXDE on it.

I recently started messing around with Arch, and noticed under the xserver wiki page, it said that it's recommended to install a DE. Although I'm wondering, do I need to install a DE just to run a game?

Ideally, I'd like to toss Arch onto that computer, xorg-xserver, ALSA (if it's not already included with xserver anyway), and StepMania. Pretty much, I just want it to be the lightest setup possible.

Trilby · 2014-07-22 00:12:16

No, there is absolutely no need for a DE. You can use a very lightweight WM, or just launch a client program directly from xinitrc (which will work best if they fullscreen themselves, or have a fullscreen/geometry flag).

EDIT: can you point to the page that makes this recommendation? I don't see it in the Xorg page - if it really does make a DE sound obligatory, it should be revised.

Last edited by Trilby (2014-07-22 00:13:58)

lucke · 2014-07-22 00:14:21

A desktop environment (DE) is a window manager (WM) plus additional things, like a panel or two, file manager, etc. You might want a DE if you want a coherent working environment. You need a window manager (LXDE uses openbox) if you want to manage windows. If you only want a single fullscreen window and don't need anything else (e.g. a way to start a web browser and to move between it and your game), you can just (I think) start X and your game only (via xinitrc).

Last edited by lucke (2014-07-22 00:15:35)

Espionage724 · 2014-07-22 00:31:35

Trilby wrote:

No, there is absolutely no need for a DE. You can use a very lightweight WM, or just launch a client program directly from xinitrc (which will work best if they fullscreen themselves, or have a fullscreen/geometry flag).
EDIT: can you point to the page that makes this recommendation? I don't see it in the Xorg page - if it really does make a DE sound obligatory, it should be revised.

Thanks for the info; also I may of gotten confused about the recommendation. It says "The easiest way to start X is by using a display manager"; re-reading it now though doesn't make it sound obligatory.

lucke · 2014-07-22 00:49:15

A display manager (DM) is responsible for showing a login screen that lets you choose a user and a DE or a WM to start.

jasonwryan · 2014-07-22 00:49:20

Espionage724 wrote:

It says "The easiest way to start X is by using a display manager"; re-reading it now though doesn't make it sound obligatory.

That is also flat-out incorrect. The easiest way to start X is with `startx`...

Fixed: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xo … ay_manager

clfarron4 · 2014-07-22 08:37:55

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/st … Manager.29

souenzzo · 2014-07-22 13:50:00

YES.
you can run

$ startx /usr/bin/supertuxkart

and get just X + Game running.
But its need some resolution tweaks.

If you have resolution problems, you can try xmonad (true lightweight WM)

# pacman -S xmonad xterm
$ startx /usr/bin/xmonad

CTRL + ALT + Return is useful for beginning.

http://xmonad.org/manpage.html

[edit]
This way you dont need DE or DM or WM or this complicated things. Just login on TTY and GAME!
It's the simplest way that i find.
Always you use startx you will need the full path to program that you wanna run

Last edited by souenzzo (2014-07-22 13:54:51)

Espionage724 · 2014-07-22 19:55:30

So far, seems like this idea can work fine Got Arch installed earlier, installed xorg-server (and other X stuff), and was able to get startx to start StepMania. Just have to fix some things with StepMania specifically (video playback seems to crash it) and all should be good to go.

Never knew what X looked like without a DE/DM/WM; definitely not too pretty, but it functions.

Trilby · 2014-07-22 20:25:06

You can call xsetroot from .xinitrc to set things like the background color and default cursor shape. These help it look a lot nicer. But the background should be irrelevant if you are starting up a fullscreen game. The cursor could be relevant if the game doesn't set a cursor.

ewaller · 2014-07-22 21:13:38

ewaller$@$odin ~ 1009 %adventure

Welcome to Adventure!!  Would you like instructions?
y

Somewhere nearby is Colossal Cave, where others have found fortunes in
treasure and gold, though it is rumored that some who enter are never
seen again.  Magic is said to work in the cave.  I will be your eyes
and hands.  Direct me with commands of 1 or 2 words.  I should warn
you that I look at only the first five letters of each word, so you'll
have to enter "northeast" as "ne" to distinguish it from "north".
(Should you get stuck, type "help" for some general hints.  For
information on how to end your adventure, etc., type "info".)
                              - - -
This program was originally developed by Will Crowther.  Most of the
features of the current program were added by Don Woods.  Address
complaints about the UNIX version to Jim Gillogly (jim@rand.org).

You are standing at the end of a road before a small brick building.
Around you is a forest.  A small stream flows out of the building and
down a gully.
go in

You are inside a building, a well house for a large spring.

There are some keys on the ground here.

There is a shiny brass lamp nearby.

There is food here.

There is a bottle of water here.
quit

Do you really want to quit now?
yes

OK



You scored 27 out of a possible 350 using 2 turns.

You are obviously a rank amateur.  Better luck next time.
To achieve the next higher rating, you need 9 more points.
ewaller$@$odin ~ 1010 %

You don't even need X

Arch Linux

#1 2014-07-22 00:00:17

Possible to run games without a DE?

#2 2014-07-22 00:12:16

Re: Possible to run games without a DE?

#3 2014-07-22 00:14:21

Re: Possible to run games without a DE?

#4 2014-07-22 00:31:35

Re: Possible to run games without a DE?

#5 2014-07-22 00:49:15

Re: Possible to run games without a DE?

#6 2014-07-22 00:49:20

Re: Possible to run games without a DE?

#7 2014-07-22 08:37:55

Re: Possible to run games without a DE?

#8 2014-07-22 13:50:00

Re: Possible to run games without a DE?

#9 2014-07-22 19:55:30

Re: Possible to run games without a DE?

#10 2014-07-22 20:25:06

Re: Possible to run games without a DE?

#11 2014-07-22 21:13:38

Re: Possible to run games without a DE?

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