I am only guessing and extrapolating based on how this usually goes:
- It’s probably possible to get it to run but would take a lot of work
- It’s probably much easier to just run the windows version under Wine
While the Linux kernel usually maintains long term backward compatibility very well unfortunately the userspace (libraries) is a different story.
Looking at the game’s faq the main dependency seems to be SDL. There is no OpenGL or other 3D library requirement. It might also depend on which version was shipped on the CD according to the faq there was an earlier statically linked version (which I am guessing might be easier to get to run) and a later dynamically linked one.
It depends. If it’s under your control with your own keys then it can be beneficial. If it’s under someone else’s control (as it is for most people) then it’s a step towards the walled garden.