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Heroes of Hammerwatch [Steam], the rogue-lite action-adventure from Crackshell is now officially out and it looks good, sadly though the Linux version is Steam only.

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Originally, the GOG store actually showed it was coming to Linux, but at release it's Windows-only on GOG. Speaking on Steam, the developer stated this is due to GOG Galaxy not being on Linux:

Sorry, their Galaxy system and SDK doesn't support Linux so in the end it seems like its not coming on GOG until we get that sorted

Their previous Hammerwatch game has a Linux build on GOG, but that was due to it having Direct IP connect multiplayer, whereas it seems they've moved towards using services from GOG and Steam to help handle multiplayer. This is obviously a repeating problem for Linux gamers, with multiple games not having a Linux build on GOG due to this.

About the game:

Heroes of Hammerwatch is a rogue-lite action-adventure game set in the same universe as Hammerwatch. Encounter endless hordes of enemies, traps, puzzles, secrets and lots of loot, as you battle your way through procedurally generated levels to reach the top of the Forsaken Spire.

A rogue-lite with a lot of persistent progression. You will start each run in Outlook, a town which you can upgrade to grant your heroes with various enhancements that will further help you in your quest. The heroes themselves will also remain persistent, you can even bring your own heroes to your friends game!

We've reached out to the developer for review keys, hopefully we will be able to tell you what we think soon. So far, it seems users on Steam are quite liking it.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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NotSoQT Mar 2, 2018
It's one of those news I don't know if I leave a like or not, cuz even if I like to know what's going on I don't like it at all.

... Does it make sense for anyone?
Leopard Mar 2, 2018
Quoting: NotSoQTIt's one of those news I don't know if I leave a like or not, cuz even if I like to know what's going on I don't like it at all.

... Does it make sense for anyone?

Is it informative?

If your answer is yes , so that news done it's job and deserves a like.

Either positive or negative content , it is still news.
Cyril Mar 2, 2018
I'm balanced between infinite sadness and infinite anger.
Not just because the Linux build is not on GOG but because the devs are telling us this at the last moment.
Not a single word about it until the official release... I mean they obviously knew it wouldn't come on GOG.
But yeah they're not the only ones...
Tell me if i'm wrong.
Kimyrielle Mar 2, 2018
In that context I find it funny how so many people here continue to bash Steam for its "evil DRM" and hype GOG - when in truth we have to thank Steam for having decent gamings options on Linux these days, while GOG never gave a flying fish about us, and their own parent company is refusing to port its games to Linux.

Just saying.


Last edited by Kimyrielle on 2 March 2018 at 3:40 pm UTC
Kimyrielle Mar 2, 2018
Yes, they are good at their core competency - getting good old games to run on newer machines. I buy games from them for that reason, too. But make no mistake, GOG is NOT a Linux friendly company, and they really don't deserve that fanboyism displayed by some here. When I doubt, I give my money to companies that actually support us...
Shmerl Mar 2, 2018
Developers should learn how to make this optional because it's not a multiplayer only game. Seriously, it's quite unprofessional. Added another Galaxy victim to the list.

That's the real problem with Galaxy, and not the lack of the client.


Last edited by Shmerl on 2 March 2018 at 4:18 pm UTC
scaine Mar 2, 2018
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Quoting: KimyrielleYes, they are good at their core competency - getting good old games to run on newer machines. I buy games from them for that reason, too. But make no mistake, GOG is NOT a Linux friendly company, and they really don't deserve that fanboyism displayed by some here. When I doubt, I give my money to companies that actually support us...

Well, I think the "fanboyism" is really about DRM-free, and that's fine. Those guys tend to be fairly open between GOG, HB, and Itch. Although these days, HB seems to be mainly a steam-key reseller! At least they still offer downloads for a lot of their bundles, but you have to do your research on their store to make sure you're buying a downloadable, DRM-Free game, or a DRM-Free game via Steam. There really shouldn't be a distinction, but for some people, there is.

I'll stick to Steam though. They're definitely the biggest wrench in the toolbox when it comes to disrupting Microsoft's practices.
Cyril Mar 2, 2018
Quoting: KimyrielleIn that context I find it funny how so many people here continue to bash Steam for its "evil DRM" and hype GOG - when in truth we have to thank Steam for having decent gamings options on Linux these days, while GOG never gave a flying fish about us, and their own parent company is refusing to port its games to Linux.

Just saying.

I would say that Linux builds profits to Linux gamers and DRM-Free builds profits to everybody.
This is mainly why i choose GOG over Steam. I'm not a fanboy with GOG, i criticize some points if needed.
Hamish Mar 2, 2018
Quoting: CyrilI would say that Linux builds profits to Linux gamers and DRM-Free builds profits to everybody.
Exactly, which is why I care far more about keeping my games DRM Free than "disrupting Microsoft's practices", whatever that means. In fifty years Linux could be dead and buried but I still want to be able to play my games without worrying about whether some archaic DRM service is still up and supporting them.

Quoting: scaineAt least they still offer downloads for a lot of their bundles, but you have to do your research on their store to make sure you're buying a downloadable, DRM-Free game, or a DRM-Free game via Steam. There really shouldn't be a distinction, but for some people, there is.
In terms of the actual binaries, no there is no distinction. But I still refuse to get a Steam account because it is tied to a client that actively promotes a DRM service. I must admit, what I find the most troubling about this story is that the Galaxy client is becoming so central to some developers they are not willing to support Linux on GOG.com without it, even though GOG.com still require developers to make their games work independent of it.

Quoting: KimreillyBut make no mistake, GOG is NOT a Linux friendly company, and they really don't deserve that fanboyism displayed by some here. When I doubt, I give my money to companies that actually support us...
Again, I will just repeat what I said in another thread: As long as I am able to buy Linux games on GOG.com then by definition the company is "supportive of Linux" because it is supporting it as an available platform. It may not be as enthusiastic about it as some would like, but that is not the same thing as offering Linux no support. It does a disservice to everyone involved with the Linux side of things at GOG.com to claim as such.


Last edited by Hamish on 2 March 2018 at 7:51 pm UTC
Avehicle7887 Mar 2, 2018
Quoting: KimyrielleIn that context I find it funny how so many people here continue to bash Steam for its "evil DRM" and hype GOG - when in truth we have to thank Steam for having decent gamings options on Linux these days, while GOG never gave a flying fish about us, and their own parent company is refusing to port its games to Linux.

Just saying.

Being a GOG-only user myself, I don't like this either. If they don't want to port Witcher 3 fine, but at least get Galaxy on Linux working, they got it on Mac so what the hell are they waiting for. Also keep in mind GOG/CDPR don't have the same deep pockets Valve do, but at least they could port Galaxy for this reason alone.

With that said, GOG isn't entirely to blame here, the original Hammerwatch has Direct IP and LAN features before Galaxy was even on Windows, it needs no clients and regardless where you bought the game from you can MP. The devs removed this feature with the release of Serious Sam's Bogus Detour, which was released on June 2017, without a Linux version on GOG for the same reason. They knew for almost a year and yet they didn't do anything to mitigate this issue.

I cannot stress enough saying how bad it is to rely only on services such as Galaxy or Steam for MP. Old games from over 15 years ago had LAN and they can still be played today. It is unfortunate that many devs are forgetting this and moving backward instead of forward.
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