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Update 05/04/16:
Looks like the feedback they gained from this article may bring us the port:
QuoteWow, thanks for the overwhelming response! I think we really need to start planning how to bring the game for Linux. Unfortunately our launch is way too soon so that we could hit the linux/steamos(/osx) support at the same time with Windows, but it's definitely something I'll start working after the launch rush is behind us.

Glad I could make a difference again :)

Original article
I love my space sci-fi games, and P·O·L·L·E·N looks incredible. I spoke to the developer, who said if there's a demand for it, they will seriously consider a Linux version.

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You can see their reply to me here:
QuoteWe still haven't decided around Linux support. Currently the game needs DX11 and doing the Linux (or OSX) version would require us to rewrite all the DX11 shaders and some other stuff to work on DX9 level APIs so unfortunately it's not just a simple change of a platform in Unity.

We are committed in supporting the game via new features and fixes in the future, so if the community really wants Linux/SteamOS/OSX support, we will seriously consider doing that.


I hope they do see enough demand, as it looks and sounds like it could be an awesome experience.

About the game
P·O·L·L·E·N is an atmospheric, suspenseful and highly interactive first person sci-fi exploration game set on Saturn’s moon Titan.

Inspired by science-fiction classics such as Solaris, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the Moon, P·O·L·L·E·N’s retro futuristic world is an incredibly detailed, living-breathing environment, that feels every bit as real as the one around you. Each step in the shoes of a space mechanic will transport you into the Station M, where you can try everything you can get your hands on to solve intriguing puzzles and uncover the mysteries that lie beneath the moon’s crust. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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18 comments
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micha Apr 4, 2016
OMG, this would be so great.. PLZ all add your +1s to the Steam discussion =)
Luke_Nukem Apr 4, 2016
Oh hell! That looks wicked!
M@GOid Apr 4, 2016
QuoteCurrently the game needs DX11 and doing the Linux (or OSX) version would require us to rewrite all the DX11 shaders and some other stuff to work on DX9 level APIs so unfortunately it's not just a simple change of a platform in Unity.

What? So Unity only support OpenGL3.3?
Feist Apr 4, 2016
Oh yeah, this looks awesome. Reminds me a lot of both "Alien: Isolation" and "SOMA", if only it has less stressful exploration than the former and longer playing time than the latter, then there's no limit to how good it might get.
Mountain Man Apr 4, 2016
"I spoke to the developer, who said if there's a demand for it, they will seriously consider a Linux version."

I hate weasel statements like this. It ranks up there with developers who say that they will consider a Linux version if the Windows version sells well. It's really just another way of saying that they have no interest in making a Linux version. That and the fact that they're targeting DX11 pretty much rules out a Linux version, so at the moment, I have zero interest in this game.


Last edited by Mountain Man on 4 April 2016 at 1:18 pm UTC
GBee Apr 4, 2016
'the Moon' or just 'Moon'?

Selection of inspiration sounds great to me. Definitely interested.


Last edited by GBee on 4 April 2016 at 1:50 pm UTC
Linas Apr 4, 2016
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QuoteI spoke to the developer, who said if there's a demand for it, they will seriously consider a Linux version.
I demand a Linux version! Oh wait, that's not what you meant...
Shmerl Apr 5, 2016
QuoteWe still haven't decided around Linux support. Currently the game needs DX11 and doing the Linux (or OSX) version would require us to rewrite all the DX11 shaders and some other stuff to work on DX9 level APIs so unfortunately it's not just a simple change of a platform in Unity.

That's weird. Unity supports OpenGL 4.5: https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/OpenGLCoreDetails.html

May be they are using some ancient version of Unity?


Last edited by Shmerl on 5 April 2016 at 3:08 am UTC
tuubi Apr 5, 2016
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Quoting: Shmerl
QuoteWe still haven't decided around Linux support. Currently the game needs DX11 and doing the Linux (or OSX) version would require us to rewrite all the DX11 shaders and some other stuff to work on DX9 level APIs so unfortunately it's not just a simple change of a platform in Unity.

That's weird. Unity supports OpenGL 4.5: https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/OpenGLCoreDetails.html

May be they are using some ancient version of Unity?
Unity's tools for HLSL->GLSL conversion only support DX9 level shaders. That's probably what they mean.
pommak Apr 5, 2016
QuoteI hate weasel statements like this. It ranks up there with developers who say that they will consider a Linux version if the Windows version sells well. It's really just another way of saying that they have no interest in making a Linux version. That and the fact that they're targeting DX11 pretty much rules out a Linux version, so at the moment, I have zero interest in this game.
(I'm the developer answering to the original thread in Steam)

Like I said in the original thread, Linux version really requires us to actually do stuff, instead of just rebuilding the game for Linux. If we do the port we actually want to be proud of it and make sure it plays as well as the Windows version so we also need to test it properly and see that we can stand proudly behind the build.

I was honestly curious about the amount of people wanting the Linux port as we're a small indie team and we need to prioritize where to allocate our meagre development resources. It's great to see that the Linux gaming community is keen to show that they'd like to play Pollen on their platform and I'm more than interested now in actually making that a reality.
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