Confused on Steam Play and Proton? Be sure to check out our guide.
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

Heart Forth, Alicia is a beautifully crafted Metroidvania RPG on Kickstarter right now seeking funds. It has already hit well-over the initial goal and is sailing towards the Linux stretch goal, but why is it a stretch goal?

The game was originally made in a program called Multimedia Fusion, but this has limited them somewhat. MMF does have an open-source export module that can export to Linux, but this game is far out of the scope of what that can do. They created this game before Hardware Acceleration was even an option for games exported in MMF.

They are now looking to get it ported to native C++ code and then ported to OSX & Linux.

Alonso MartinThat's right. We're paying someone to port it to C++ and OSX/Linux.

I didn't know you were writing an article! MMF is perfectly capable of porting games to many platforms if games are designed for that purpose. HFA is just a 7 year-old game started when not even HWA (hardware acceleration) was an option, so exporting this particular game from MMF itself is not at all an option.

Thanks,
Alonso.


I hope that clears it up, the goal for a Linux version is $120,000 and it looks like they will hit it quite easily! The game will be re-made using C++ rather than MMF.

The developer also confirmed the Linux version will only come once the Windows version is finished:

Alonso MartinWe're only able to port to Linux once we have the final version ready. Yes, we're using MMF2.


About the game

At Heart Forth, Alicia's core is an ode to the classics. Remember the electrifying gameplay of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the expansive worlds of the Zelda games, and the rich, engaging story of Xenogears? This game is crafted in the spirit of those great adventures of the '90s.

The story unfolds amidst the repercussions of centuries worth of struggle, strife, and bloodshed between cultures, races and worldviews. But above all else, it's an epic Metroidvania RPG that combines timeless 16- and 32-bit gameplay, modern mechanics, and a set of unique, intertwining stories to take you on a fantastic journey.

  • Master devastating and versatile magic spells to annihilate your enemies and solve creative puzzles.
    Engage in fast, agile melee combat with an enchanted wizard's whip, over 20 special attacks and upgrades, and a wide array of mobility skills.
  • Adventure through a vast, intricately detailed world filled with hidden wonders and puzzles, dastardly platforming, lethal dungeons, and much, much more.
  • Play with powerful RPG elements that include all the gear, loot, sidequests, upgrades, crafting, and gameplay depth that make for a classic RPG experience.
  • Discover 5 secret fairy companions to crush, shock, freeze, and burn your enemies, or save you at your most dire moment of need.
  • Experience a deep and immersive story that takes place within a much larger history of events and cultures, and starring a cast of fascinating, memorable characters.

Personally I am a little-bit in love with this game, it's charming to the very core.

What do you guys think?

UPDATE: After reading your comments, the developer sent this in:

QuoteHello Liam,

I read your article and some of the comments. Porting the game to C++ and then to OSX/Linux at the end will take less time than porting the game to those platforms at all points of development. Not only would we also need to raise the stretch goal to a staggering amount to be able to pay the company that'll port the game to stick around for the whole lapse of development (or eat into our budget and risk not finishing the game), any bugs found in the ports would also need to be addressed, which would take more of our time.

In short: if we ported to Linux/OSX during development, the game itself would be delayed by many more months than the 3 months it'd take to port it at the end. I hope our decision is clearer to you now.

Thanks,
Alonso.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
0 Likes
About the author -
author picture
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.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
14 comments
Page: 1/2»
  Go to:

Znurre Apr 19, 2014
This looks amazing. Backed it :)
FutureSuture Apr 19, 2014
I absolutely love 2D Castlevania games (I wish so badly that 2D Castlevania games would come to Linux) so this game suits me perfectly. I just hope it's a good one! It certainly looks gorgeous to me and doesn't seem to mind using colours which is always a good thing.

Nevertheless, what I would like even more is if games like these started to use sharp, detailed 2D art instead of pixelated 2D art. A 2D Castlevania game with a massive budget allowing for the former would make me buy it for myself and friends like a crazy person!
Glog78 Apr 20, 2014
I don't get it ...
If they are getting someone to port their game from MMF to C++ ... why they will deliver the MMF Version to windows user ?
Why not make the new version for windows too c++ ?
This would also reduce further maintainance costs. But maybe i'm stupid and didn't got it ?!
Sabun Apr 20, 2014
Isn't having Linux as a stretch goal part of the consensus that it's a no-no? Not even a mention of who they'd like to port the game. They probably haven't even thought about it that far. I'd figure with titles like 7 Days to Die, Contagion, Divinity, everyone would be more careful now. If they are sidelining Linux in the beginning, it is very likely they'll continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

If you don't mind paying for something you might get in 2 years time after Windows users have it, then go ahead. Just remember, don't be sad if you never get anything for your money.
Anonymous Apr 20, 2014
I tend to agree, Sabun. My experience with the still yet to be ported Skullgirls has put me off "when-it's-done" stretch goals.
Liam Dawe Apr 20, 2014
Sadly they put me off too.

I am still waiting on 7 Days to Die.
Liam Dawe Apr 20, 2014
The developer had this to say about recent comments:

QuoteHello Liam,

I read your article and some of the comments. Porting the game to C++ and then to OSX/Linux at the end will take less time than porting the game to those platforms at all points of development. Not only would we also need to raise the stretch goal to a staggering amount to be able to pay the company that'll port the game to stick around for the whole lapse of development (or eat into our budget and risk not finishing the game), any bugs found in the ports would also need to be addressed, which would take more of our time.

In short: if we ported to Linux/OSX during development, the game itself would be delayed by many more months than the 3 months it'd take to port it at the end. I hope our decision is clearer to you now.

Thanks,
Alonso.
Sabun Apr 20, 2014
At the very least they are attentive, and have given an estimate of 3 months after the Windows release. I'd be a lot more trusting if we actually knew who would port the title. If it was Ryan Gordon or Ethan Lee or any other prominent Linux porter(s) we knew, it would be worthwhile. Right now, there is still quite a lack of transparency, although they have given us more information in that reply. Thanks for posting it Liam.
sylware Apr 20, 2014
They should go plain C.

c++ complexity is dangerous from many view angles.
FutureSuture Apr 20, 2014
Quoting: SabunIsn't having Linux as a stretch goal part of the consensus that it's a no-no? Not even a mention of who they'd like to port the game. They probably haven't even thought about it that far. I'd figure with titles like 7 Days to Die, Contagion, Divinity, everyone would be more careful now. If they are sidelining Linux in the beginning, it is very likely they'll continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

If you don't mind paying for something you might get in 2 years time after Windows users have it, then go ahead. Just remember, don't be sad if you never get anything for your money.
What's the exact story behind those?
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.