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I asked on twitter for developers to get in touch about their games, and first up is Quest of Dungeons from Upfall Studios. A turn based dungeon crawler game featuring a good old 16-bit retro artistic look.
I asked the developer about the Linux sales, and he had this to say:
DavidThe game was initially released for Windows and Mac and it only got a Linux version after 4 months. I got a lot of questions about it at launch but I guess having it simultaneously could have worked better, people eventually forget about the game.
I have ~93% of window users, 6% Mac and approx 1% Linux users.
I have to mention that these numbers correspond to where it was actually purchased and not the version the person will play, since they get all 3 versions it is possible for some to buy on a Windows at work to play on a Mac or Linux at home, but the variance should be that much.
This is just one case of course, I've know some devs where they case was something like 90-5-5 (Windows-Mac-Linux). As a general rule some told me I could expect more or less the same from Linux as I would for Mac. But I guess I will only have that better measured with a simultaneous release.
I also asked a few other choice questions
Q: How do you feel about Linux support in future games?
DavidWill most likely still support it, don't see a reason why not.
Q: Do you feel you made any profit on the Linux version?
DavidIn my case I didn't. But the port didn't take much time and I use a custom engine (used SDL for some of the heavy-work) so I don't regret it since the costs weren't that high. Learned a great deal and that also counts. The game was profitable as a whole but it's natural some platforms don't perform as we wish they would.
Q: What would you say to developers wanting to release a Linux version?
DavidTry to do a simultaneous release if possible. Players see a new game they get excited with, they want it now, for their platform, not promises of the port in some months. This will help in getting some early traction instead of an "old game" getting a port, that rarely makes headlines.
Thanks David for the honest answers. Check out Quest of Dungeons here, you can get it directly from the developer, from their Humble Store widget and on Steam too.
If you want to see your game featured, please get in touch. We would love to see how you're doing and give you a shout out.
0 Likes
About the author - Liam Dawe
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly checked 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. You can also follow my personal adventures on Bluesky.
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Storminator16 5 Mar 2016
Very honest interview. I like that guy.
9 Likes
Nyamiou 5 Mar 2016
Very good article. It's always good to hear about how the developers feel about Linux.
1 Likes
Segata Sanshiro 5 Mar 2016
I wish more developers had this same attitude and outlook on things, it's great!
6 Likes
oldrocker99 5 Mar 2016
This was a pleasure to read; I too wish more devs felt this way.
4 Likes
Im going to Support this dev for sure. :D
3 Likes
adolson 5 Mar 2016
I got this game and really like it, but I can't remember if I wound up getting it in a bundle or not. I find by the time we get a lot of games, they've been in bundles and so a lot of us are apt to just get what we can at the lowest price. A simultaneous launch would definitely help - and it's nice that he was told of a 90-5-5 ratio by other (I wonder who?). I also wonder if he can't tell what platform players are playing on? I thought Steam reported all that and more to the devs?
Anyhow, I think the game is great and I've got my eyes open for future releases!
Anyhow, I think the game is great and I've got my eyes open for future releases!
2 Likes
I think it is a great game. For people who like this style of game, this maybe an overlooked gem. I actually helped beta test the linux version, and can happily say it's a very well done port. I am sad he didn't see profitable results from us. Can't wait to see what he makes next.
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Julius 6 Mar 2016
Would have been interesting to also see the Android figures, as many people probably only played in on a mobile device (its a bit simplistic for a desktop game).
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pb 6 Mar 2016
It really is like he says. I check new releases every day, I have http://store.steampowered.com/search/#sort_by=Released_DESC&os=linux&page=1 set as my default steam page - so the list is limited only to new *Linux* releases. If I see a nice new game at good price, I go ahead and buy it. If a game releases without a Linux version, I don't even know about it, and when it promises a Linux version sometime down the path, I just wishlist it and forget about it until there's a big sale and I check my wishlist - so I end up buying games that launched without Linux port much later and much cheaper. I wish Valve had a separate list for new Linux/SteamOS releases, because as it is now, it's very easy (even *default*) to have no idea about new ports.
5 Likes
drmoth 6 Mar 2016
Bought. Great attitude from the dev.
EDIT: Oooops. I already have this game (must have got it in a bundle). If anyone wants a key, PM me.
EDIT 2: Key gone!
Last edited by drmoth on 6 Mar 2016 at 9:46 pm UTC
EDIT: Oooops. I already have this game (must have got it in a bundle). If anyone wants a key, PM me.
EDIT 2: Key gone!
Last edited by drmoth on 6 Mar 2016 at 9:46 pm UTC
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emphy 6 Mar 2016
...
Hi Dev here.
....
Payed, and no bs after getting it.
...
David
\(^-^)/
And thanks for including the android version in the humble buy!
Last edited by emphy on 6 Mar 2016 at 10:39 am UTC
1 Likes
PublicNuisance 6 Mar 2016
Looks interesting enough and price is right. I should be picking it up in a couple pay cheques.
Last edited by PublicNuisance on 6 Mar 2016 at 2:14 pm UTC
Last edited by PublicNuisance on 6 Mar 2016 at 2:14 pm UTC
1 Likes
pb 6 Mar 2016
Of course there is market for no-bullshit paid apps on mobile. I used to like Angry Birds but I was constantly annoyed by the lack of ability to purchase an ad-free version, and I stopped playing it completely when they introduced first microtransactions. I'm under impression that free apps are specifically made for kids that constantly click ads with their grubby fingers, or even better, play on their parent's account and "buy gold" with real money to unlock this and that. In contrast, pay-once apps are legitimate software in the ocean of cash-grabing apps disguised as games.
1 Likes
scaine 7 Mar 2016
I got this game and really like it, but I can't remember if I wound up getting it in a bundle or not. I find by the time we get a lot of games, they've been in bundles and so a lot of us are apt to just get what we can at the lowest price. A simultaneous launch would definitely help - and it's nice that he was told of a 90-5-5 ratio by other (I wonder who?). I also wonder if he can't tell what platform players are playing on? I thought Steam reported all that and more to the devs?
Anyhow, I think the game is great and I've got my eyes open for future releases!
I think it was you, adolson, that got me hooked on Sproggiwood after my constant ranting about Tales of Maj'Eyal on Reddit (and possibly here too...), although in retrospect, they're not really very similar. So after loving that game, I've bought this now and will give it a go later in the week. Definitely my cup of tea, this style of game, and despite a fair chunk of bad reviews, there's enough good reviews that it's definitely worth a pint of beer to make up my own mind.
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cthulhusreign 8 Mar 2016
Really good interview. ^_^
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