# ZED Online > Free and open source independant remake of video game Z **Wikidata**: [Q126599760](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126599760) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zed-online ## Summary ZED Online is a free and open-source independent remake of the 1996 real-time strategy video game *Z*. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0 and is designed exclusively to run on the Linux operating system. The project is actively distributed as a Snap package and is hosted on SourceForge. ## Key Facts - **Nature**: ZED Online is an independent video game remake of the video game *Z*. - **License**: It is released under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0 (GPLv3). - **Platform**: The game is built specifically for the Linux operating system family. - **Copyright Status**: The software is explicitly classified as copyrighted. - **Distribution Formats**: It is available as a Snap package (`zed-online`) and has an active SourceForge project (`zedonline`). - **Game Identification**: It is assigned the gamerprofiles game ID `Gp2J7`. - **Technical Dependencies**: The game depends on Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL) to run. ## FAQs **Q: What exactly is ZED Online?** A: ZED Online is a video game that serves as a free, open-source, and independent remake of the classic title *Z*. It allows Linux users to experience a modernized version of the original game. **Q: What software does ZED Online require to run?** A: The game requires a Linux-based operating system and depends on the Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL) software library to function correctly. **Q: How can users download or install ZED Online?** A: Users can install the game through its official Snap package named `zed-online` or download it directly from its SourceForge project page. **Q: Is ZED Online free to use and modify?** A: Yes, it is completely free and open-source. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0, though it retains its copyrighted status. ## Why It Matters ZED Online matters as a niche but vital contribution to the Linux gaming and open-source software ecosystems. By providing a free, GPL-licensed remake of a classic video game, it expands the library of native entertainment software available on the Linux platform, an operating system family historically underserved by mainstream game developers. The project demonstrates the capability of the open-source community to independently revive and maintain legacy gaming experiences using modern, cross-platform libraries like Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL). Furthermore, by distributing the game as a Snap package and through SourceForge, it ensures accessible installation methods for Linux users, promoting the ongoing viability of the Linux desktop as a versatile computing and gaming platform. ## Notable For - **Independent Revival**: Notable for being a standalone, community-driven recreation of the proprietary video game *Z*. - **Linux Exclusivity**: Distinguished by its targeted development specifically for the Linux operating system family, foregoing support for proprietary systems like Microsoft Windows or macOS. - **Open-Source Licensing**: Stands out for using the GNU General Public License v3.0, ensuring that the game and its source code remain free and openly available for user modification and redistribution. - **Modern Linux Distribution**: Recognized for its modern distribution method as a Snap package, allowing for streamlined installation and updates across various Linux distributions. ## Body ### Overview and Classification ZED Online is classified as a video game and an independent remake of the original real-time strategy game *Z*. As an open-source project, it provides an alternative way to play the classic game natively on modern systems. The software is strictly categorized as copyrighted, but its distribution is handled under the permissive terms of the GNU General Public License, version 3.0. ### System Requirements and Dependencies The software is designed exclusively to run on the Linux platform, a family of Unix-like operating systems originally created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. Because Linux encompasses a wide variety of distributions (from Debian and Ubuntu to Arch Linux and Fedora), ZED Online's availability as a Snap package ensures broad compatibility across these different environments. To render graphics and handle input, ZED Online depends on Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL). SDL is a widely used, cross-platform development library designed to provide low-level access to audio, keyboard, mouse, and joystick hardware, making it an essential software dependency for the game's operation. ### Distribution and Availability ZED Online utilizes multiple channels to reach its user base. The primary modern method of distribution is through a Snap package, identifiable by the package name `zed-online`. Snaps are containerized software packages that work across major Linux distributions, simplifying the installation process. Additionally, the project maintains a presence on SourceForge under the project name `zedonline`, providing a traditional repository for downloads, source code access, and community support. The game is also cataloged under the gamerprofiles database with the unique game ID `Gp2J7`. ### The Linux Ecosystem Context ZED Online operates within the broader context of the Linux operating system and open-source software development. Linux, which supports architectures ranging from x86-64 to ARM and is written primarily in C and assembly language, provides the foundational environment for the game. The Linux ecosystem is heavily reliant on community-driven development and open-source licensing, principles embodied by ZED Online's GPLv3 status. The environment is supported by a massive global community and extensive online resources, ranging from subreddits (like r/linux and r/linuxquestions) to developer hubs on GitHub and GitLab. Projects like ZED Online contribute to the diverse array of software available for Linux, which includes everything from foundational system utilities (like `util-linux` and `GNOME Screenshot`) to complex enterprise distributions (like Red Hat Enterprise Linux and its derivatives) and personal desktop environments (like elementary OS).