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There's always going to be problems when developers are able to set anything they like on Steam with no proper checks from Valve. Despite listing SteamOS/Linux system requirements and showing a SteamOS icon, BATTALION 1944 [Steam] is not coming to Linux.

For the record, I value what Valve has done for Linux gaming. Their continued effort behind the scenes with VR work, Mesa and so on is awesome. However, that doesn't give them a free pass from criticism when I think they need to step up a bit.

Here's the problem in two pictures:


Notice it's on my wishlist—sigh. More importantly, the SteamOS icon to indicate Linux support.


Specifically note, the SteamOS + Linux system requirements.

The game has been showing up like that for quite a long time now. As it turns out, it's not actually coming to Linux with the Early Access release today (or at all).

I posted on their Steam forum to ask them about it back on October 9th, 2017 which never got an answer from the developer. Since then, I've made a reddit post, a post on their official forum, emailed them twice and sent probably 10+ tweets to ask them about it. I also tried their Discord, they didn't reply to a PM there and their actual normal chat was just—terrible, no chance of an answer there due to the types of people that inhabited it.

It was only yesterday (the day before release) in their announcement that they said this:

Good news Linux fans!
Linux distributed server files will be available February 1st for all your dedicated server hosting needs.

After the above, I wasn't too amused to see only server files being mentioned and no client. Today, we finally have a real answer. I managed to get their Lead Programmer to answer on Twitter, to confirm it is not coming to Linux.

I'll be honest, I'm quite sad and annoyed about this. I was very excited by the game myself, but it goes to show that you should never just trust what the Steam store shows.

What I will say, is do not give the BATTALION developers a hard time over this (especially since they didn't take pre-orders, so no one has lost money through Steam in this case). They still should have noticed what they had done, but ultimately it's not their store. Their communication was still poor though, they should have done better. I'm using them as an example to highlight the issue, but they're certainly not alone in this. This is not the first time it's happened and I've no doubt it will happen again, until Valve has some better verification in place to make sure games on Steam are actually coming to the advertised platforms.

This is where GOG does better. Even though they end up with less games, their attention to their store is a lot better. Valve, if you're reading, this sort of thing shouldn't happen. Please do better.

Ps. Day of Infamy is a good WWII shooter and supports Linux.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Editorial, Steam
18 Likes
About the author -
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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.
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23 comments
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Arehandoro Feb 1, 2018
Poor, very poor treatment.
fabry92 Feb 1, 2018
Damn so sad :/
t3g Feb 1, 2018
First time hearing about this game and now won't give it a chance. I'm not looking forward to an overly saturated WW2 shooter market again.

Btw, found a video for it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX4LdZFFc_s

After seeing that, Id rather play Day of Infamy. Sorry.


Last edited by t3g on 1 February 2018 at 12:18 pm UTC
SadL Feb 1, 2018
So it turns out they were working hard these last months..that nobody could type "No" to any of the messages/mails (for some reason I picture them in a basement with chains in front of the computers with no internet access) ..and they made a mistake with the icon because of the server files..this is irresponsible..to say the least..

And yes.. valve has to do something with the "icon" thing..because as it turns out nobody can trust developers nowadays..
Lintux Feb 1, 2018
ok, then bye bye on my Wishlist. No Tux no Bux


Last edited by Lintux on 1 February 2018 at 1:20 pm UTC
Warpig Feb 1, 2018
Hello! I'm new here I just wanted to comment on this title not coming to linux. I'm super disappointed but I'm glad to be part of the linux community and I appreciate all the efforts put forth here. I look forward to more disappointments...j/k :) Super glad to be here!
razing32 Feb 1, 2018
Oh well.
Sad one.
Blodoffer Feb 1, 2018
Quoting: t3gAfter seeing that, Id rather play Day of Infamy. Sorry.

TBH despite it's aesthetics, it's really nothing like DoI. It's a competitive 5v5 with short rounds, so more like Counter-Strike.
sr_ls_boy Feb 1, 2018
QuoteGood news Linux fans!
Linux distributed server files will be available February 1st for all your dedicated server hosting needs.
Are you talking to linux fans? Pathetic. I suggest you ask one of you windows fanboys to run dedicated linux server so other windows games can play your game. No one around here is interested.
Leopard Feb 1, 2018
Annoying and sad.
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