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This is really annoying. 'Through the Woods' [Official Site], a very promising psychological horror is no longer coming to Linux and was only announced two weeks before release due to platform-specific technology.

Oh look, another Kickstarter where the developer has not only failed to deliver a Linux version, but they have only notified Kickstarter backers only two weeks before the full release of the game.

They have not said this publicly on their Kickstarter in an update, this was only sent in a private email to their backers which was shared with me today:
QuoteAntagonist says:
Hello, backers!
We have something to say here which we've been meaning to for a while and might disappoint a couple of you.

When we created this Kickstarter, we had the most noble intention of making a Mac and Linux version of Through the Woods. We managed to put together a Mac and Linux demo which we released, and everyone was very happy with it!

Sadly, as time went on, it became clear that if the game kept getting bigger, prettier and more demanding and complex as it was, that the Mac and Linux versions were going to suffer. Getting the game to run has become a major problem and as we've used new, platform-specific technology we can't directly port it over anymore like we've done in the past. It would mean sacrificing some of our most visible graphical features which has become a staple of our art style. Even without those features there are a million platform specific bugs for each version. We have two programmers who are already stretched to breaking getting the Windows build out the door by the 27th.

After release when we've seen how the game fares in the wild, we are looking at porting the game to different devices, consoles, etc. Hopefully we'll get you guys on Mac and Linux the rock solid build you deserve, but we can not make any promises.

For those of you who, understandably, feel that this becomes an issue, please email us at [email protected] with the subject 'Mac and Linux Build' and we'll see what we can do for you.
Thanks again for all your support, and our apologies for the disappointingly late news.
The boys at Antagonist


This is ridiculous, you cannot promise a Linux version on both Greenlight (promised here after initially being a maybe) and Kickstarter and then purposefully lock yourself into platform-specific technology that prevents a Linux version. This has really irked me. I know it listed Linux on the Kickstarter (including a link to the Linux demo), but sadly they changed the page when the game got funded and no platforms are even mentioned now.

It's worth noting, they did tell people this last month in a Steam post, but you wouldn't have seen that unless you were actually going looking for it (like I just did). I wonder why it took over a month from that Steam post, to actually notifying the people that funded them, that's a terrible effort at communication.

Yet another reminder of the trouble when it comes to backing crowdfunding. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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46 comments
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Kimyrielle Oct 12, 2016
The amount of devs using Windows-only middleware to develop a game with and still expect it to magically compile in Mac and Linux down the road is really mindblowing. Do these people even read the system requirements of their tools before they install them? Where did these so-called "professionals" learn their craft anyway?

And yes, don't back a KS project unless it's from a studio having a -proven- track record on Linux.
Spl-it Oct 12, 2016
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  • Mega Supporter
QuoteWe have something to say here which we've been meaning to for a while and might disappoint a couple of you.

A couple of you, well that says it all now doesn't it, they don't care, there's only a couple of people missing out anyway.

Quoting: TobiSGDIn other words: Hey, we just figured that we will make more money porting this to consoles, so screw you.

This.
Exactly this.
Ehvis Oct 12, 2016
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Quoting: KimyrielleThe amount of devs using Windows-only middleware to develop a game with and still expect it to magically compile in Mac and Linux down the road is really mindblowing.

It doesn't actually say it is middleware. The term used is actually so vague that it screams bullshit bingo at me. Sounds more like an excuse to not have to build and test another two builds during development and wonder about whatever happens afterwards.
kit89 Oct 12, 2016
Sounds like they bit off more than the could chew. They promised the world to get the support and are now back-tracking as they realise they don't have the capacity. It's a shame studios can't be more reasonable when promoting their content.
PublicNuisance Oct 12, 2016
Well that angers me. I am one of the people who enjoyed the Linux demo. The developer was great to chat with over on their forums as well. I was really looking forward to this game. At least I never gave any money. Either way it is a terrible PR move on their part. Having a bad reputation with customers is hard to overcome for a small studio.
Devlin Oct 12, 2016
So these platform-specific technologies magically work in the consoles but not on Linux? I suppose that they might work out of the box on XBox but I doubt that the same will happen on PS4.


Last edited by Devlin on 12 October 2016 at 9:56 pm UTC
Guest Oct 12, 2016
Quoting: TobiSGD"After release when we've seen how the game fares in the wild, we are looking at porting the game to different devices, consoles, etc. Hopefully we'll get you guys on Mac and Linux the rock solid build you deserve, but we can not make any promises."
In other words: Hey, we just figured that we will make more money porting this to consoles, so screw you.

This trend keeps happening. Look at killing floor 2. The whole reason that is a dogs dinner on PC is that they got distracted with console versions.

In the end, gaming is all just about money now and just like things that are solely and unequivocally about money alone they don't place emphasis on supporting open communities. To them Linux is an also ran platform a weak bet.

Cash grab game. Will not buy even if they port it now ;)
Mountain Man Oct 12, 2016
QuoteGetting the game to run has become a major problem and as we've used new, platform-specific technology we can't directly port it over anymore like we've done in the past.
They try to phrase this like, "Oh, gee, whoops... Who could have known?" but what they're really saying is that at some point during development, they made the deliberate decision to screw their Linux and Mac backers.

This is why I despise crowd funding, because there is literally zero accountability.


Last edited by Mountain Man on 12 October 2016 at 11:14 pm UTC
OLucasZanella Oct 12, 2016
>talks about mac and linux support
>uses windows-only tools
genius
marcelomendes Oct 13, 2016
Hall of shame, there they go!
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