This repository is NOT the official Simple Sokoban repository.
This is a modified fork of Simple Sokoban version 1.0.7 that has been updated to:
- Compile on modern Linux systems (tested on Ubuntu 24.04)
- Support Wayland display server with proper video driver configuration
- Include standalone packaging for easy distribution (
make standalone) - Enhanced documentation with build instructions, Wayland troubleshooting, and packaging guides
These modifications were made using AI assistance to improve compatibility with modern Linux distributions and development workflows.
For the official, unmodified source code, please visit:
- Official Website: https://mateusz.fr/simplesok/
- Official Source Code:
svn://svn.mateusz.fr/simplesok
All credit for Simple Sokoban goes to the original author, Mateusz Viste (Copyright © 2014-2025).
Copyright © 2014-2025 Mateusz Viste
Simple Sokoban is a Sokoban game aimed at playability and portability across systems. It is written in ANSI C89, using SDL2 for user interactions. I developed it primarily for Linux, but it should compile and work just fine on virtually anything that has a C compiler and supports SDL2.
- Animated movements
- Unlimited level solutions
- Unlimited undos
- 3 embedded level sets
- Support for external *.xsb levels
- Support for levels of size up to 62x62
- Copying levels to clipboard
- Save/load
- Configurable skins (see also: skin format)
- ...
For easy gaming on Linux, Simple Sokoban is available as a FlatPak app on Flathub.
Native RPM and DEB packages for a few Linux distributions can be found on the openSUSE Software platform.
Better Debian/Devuan packages are kindly provided by Friedhelm Mehnert.
Old versions may be downloaded HERE.
svn co svn://svn.mateusz.fr/simplesoksudo apt install -y \
build-essential \
autoconf \
automake \
libtool \
pkg-config \
libsdl2-dev \
libsdl2-image-dev \
zlib1g-dev \
libcurl4-openssl-devcd simplesok-1.0.7
autoreconf -fi
./configure
make
./simplesokFor more build options, see simplesok.txt.
./simplesokFor complete documentation on adding and using custom skins, see SKINS.md.
Quick reference:
- Skins are PNG or BMP image files with 4-column sprite maps
- Place skins in:
~/.local/share/simplesok/skins/(recommended) - Use with:
./simplesok --skin=skinname - List skins:
./simplesok --skinlist - Format details: https://mateusz.fr/simplesok/skinfmt/
For information on building different package formats (RPM, DEB, Flatpak, standalone), see PACKAGING.md.
If you enjoyed Simple Sokoban, then perhaps you will also appreciate these other games I have made:
- Atomiks
- Dr. Mind (DOS only)
- OpenKropki
Simple Sokoban is published under the terms of the MIT license. Licensing rules of skin files may differ (GPL, CC, ...).
- Official Website: https://mateusz.fr/simplesok/
- Skin Format Documentation: https://mateusz.fr/simplesok/skinfmt/
- Source Code:
svn://svn.mateusz.fr/simplesok
This revision is version 1.0.8, built upon the original Simple Sokoban v1.0.7.
Simplesok-Revised is published under the terms of the MIT license. Licensing rules of skin files may differ (GPL, CC, ...).
Simple Sokoban uses SDL2 for graphics. On systems with multiple display servers (X11, Wayland), you may need to specify which video driver to use.
Wayland (Recommended for modern Linux systems):
SDL_VIDEODRIVER=wayland ./simplesokX11 / XWayland (For X11-based systems or compatibility):
SDL_VIDEODRIVER=x11 ./simplesokAuto-detect (Default - SDL2 will try to detect automatically):
./simplesokNote: If you get GLX errors on Wayland systems, use:
SDL_VIDEODRIVER=wayland ./simplesokAdding to GNOME Main Menu:
bash -c "SDL_VIDEODRIVER=wayland /opt/games/simplesok/simplesok"To make the video driver setting permanent, add to your ~/.bashrc:
export SDL_VIDEODRIVER=wayland