After getting to the log in screen everything on screen blinks erratically. Everything still works but you have to read what your doing in between it blinking on and off. Anyone else had this problem?

Not me. If you have Compiz running though, turn it off. It can interfere with the game.

How's that done?

Disable desktop 3D, or rendering

I'm quite new to ubuntu. How is that done?

Click on System, Preferences -> Appearance, then the Visual Effects tab and select None.

Turning off compiz is not a bad idea, but this issue should really include discussion of what type of video card you're using and which driver you have installed for it.

-CR

It's a little late but I had this problem too, very annoying, windowed mode fixed it, runs flawlessly.

It should work in fullscreen mode as well, sooma. Can you tell us a bit more about your system?