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In a sad turn of events, but not exactly surprising, the President of Blizzard responded to the petition calling for Blizzard to support Linux, the answer is obvious, but what's sad is the response from the petition creator.

Here's the official response to Blizzard not being on Linux:
QuoteI certainly appreciate your passion and enthusiasm around this. Those are some great comments that you have included below, but the numbers just aren’t there right now. Linux usage represents less than 2% of installed desktop operating systems browsing the web, and I would assume most of those people also have access to a Windows or Mac device capable of playing Blizzard games.

We will continue to monitor the growth of Linux, but it is very unlikely that this will be something that we pursue in the near future.


I think we all saw that coming, but here's the sad part, in public directly below this the petition owner said this:
QuoteI am not sure just what the hell Morhaime is smoking but obviously he needs to stop or change to a different plant. How can he say we are under 2% when there is no concrete evidence to prove it. He also can not seem to grasp the fact that the reason why some of use are stuck using Windows is because of Blizzard and not because we love using Windows.

One thing is for sure, I am gonna have to work harder if I am going to break through that thick head of his.

Will keep you posted.


That's a perfect way to make sure Blizzard never respond to that petition again. This also gives them fuel to continue to not support us, if that is the attitude of people who try to represent us.

I think we all need to ask ourselves what Andrew (the petition creator) "is smoking". It was a perfectly reasonable response from Blizzard, and I didn't even expect Blizzard to respond until the petition was much bigger.

Blizzard, we aren't all like this, and please do not think that person speaks for us, as they do not. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Editorial
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Pecisk Mar 11, 2015
Quoting: keikiThe answer from them in % already proofed that they already made up their mind before the petition. Liam you were sadly right that a petition usually has no effect.

Blizzard has always been about high profits. That's how company been running since runaway success of of WoW. They haven't risked for anything. And Linux port is a risk - both tech wise and business wise.

Small and medium game companies are so much easier to convince because they need goodwill of community AND they are just more accessible. I supported petition, but I also thought that Blizzard have already everything planned out and they really don't care about their potential customers - because they have shitloads of people playing Hearstone on iPads while siting in WC. Sad but so true.
Metallinatus Mar 11, 2015
Quoteand I would assume most of those people also have access to a Windows or Mac device capable of playing Blizzard games.

No thank you, you should have assumed we don't like to leave our OS just because we can.... and I will definitely not leave it because of Blizzard.
But I like when companies are honest like that at least.... unfortunately not everybody can deal with reality, through.
minj Mar 11, 2015
QuoteI would assume most of those people also have access to a Windows or Mac device capable of playing Blizzard games.
Well you know what they say about assumptions :P

A link to our survey would sort this guy out. If he even cares that is.

As for me? I don't care about Blizzard's products anyway and they don't seem eager to change that so 'meh'.
Pecisk Mar 11, 2015
One thing surprises me though - how little fucks they give indicates that they don't even mention Heartstone which was released on Android and doing Linux port would be like month's job - peanuts money for Blizzard.

But yeah, nice to finally know. No time spent on Blizzard games for last ten years, and this seem won't change much. Phew.
Erikcht Mar 11, 2015
I cannot find this post from this President of Blizzard aswer... please help me...
Erikcht Mar 11, 2015
We need to continue this petition and stay calm.
We should be friendly with the president of Blizzard (this is a matter of attitude and maturity).
It was clear
Erikcht Mar 11, 2015
Lets create a hashtag to begeninig talk with mike ...
Erikcht Mar 11, 2015
what do you think ? #Blizzard2LINUX
Breeze Mar 11, 2015
Okay, let's do a cost benefit analysis for WoW. If there are 8.3 million subscribers and lets say Linux support increases the number of subscribers by half a percent. That would mean more than 41,500 new subscribers. At $15 a month that is $622,000 a year. If we assume the cost of wages, healthcare, management, support, rent of each worker is $200K. that would mean around 3 people can support a Linux build. I can see someone arguing both ways about my estimates, cause I am pulling these out of the air mostly. However, it is clear that even for the largest potential money maker for Blizzard that a net profit isn't guaranteed. I think I am under estimating and over estimating against Linux, but we should respect Blizzard's point of view. Linux support isn't guaranteed to make them money and they will have to take on some risk for little potential profit.

How should we move forward?
Only buy Linux games
Submit detailed bug reports
Be patient with developers
Segata Sanshiro Mar 11, 2015
Quoteand I would assume most of those people also have access to a Windows or Mac device capable of playing Blizzard games.

This is kind of true really, as much as I hate to admit it.

If people really want ports THAT badly, then stop dual booting and using wine for games. There's plenty of stuff to play on Linux, if you make a stand then there's a greater chance you'll get the games you want. It's a sad choice, but I think the time is coming when people need to choose between an OS and some games they like.
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