Harebrained Schemes have made good on their promise to have a Linux beta for their tactical ‘Mech combat game. It works well with a few caveats.
The Linux version of BATTLETECH [Official Site] has seen some delays since the game’s launch earlier in the year. The communication from the developer has been spotty at times so it’s good to see that they’ve finally gotten around to delivering on a Linux version for the game. It’s not quite bug-free yet so it’s available to download by opting into the “public_beta_linux” branch on Steam.
There’s a few known issues for the game, though none that are real show stoppers:
- When customizing the name of a ‘Mech or a Lance, the characters you type are doubled. So a W would appear as WW.
- Some menus may be extra light or extra dark depending on your system’s screen resolution.
- Hyperlinks are not functional on SteamOS only.
- Logging into a Paradox account always ends in a failure on the first attempt on SteamOS only.
- Multiplayer on SteamOS has intermittent connection issues (better as host than joiner).
- Refreshing the save game list can sometimes hang on the main menu. Restarting the game should fix the issue
The developers have asked that any Linux-specific issues found in the beta should be reported here.
I’ve played a few minutes of this beta and can tell you that it otherwise seems to run just fine. I did part of a skirmish mission and started the campaign and things seem to be running as they should be. I’m looking forward to exploring the game and seeing if it’s any good as I’m a fan of giant robots blowing each other up.
Hopefully it won’t be too long before the developers quash all the bugs and make a full release of the Linux version. It’s been a long wait since the original Kickstarter campaign. At least there’s the silver lining that we’re also getting several months’ worth of updates and quality of life improvements that have been added since launch.
You can get BATTLETECH on Steam. You can also get it on GOG and the Humble Store but note that the opt-in beta is Steam-only.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
Quoting: SalvatosQuoting: Alm888Kickstarter is a wasted money 75% of the times anyways.That figure would be 6% in my experience. With another 6-10% of projects that were run terribly or had ludicrous delays but still delivered in some form or continue to progress.
Well, I mean, you could argue that games are a waste of money, in which case my Kickstarter backings have been a waste 85% of the time :P
No, I've meant Linux release flop proper, not metaphorical "Gaming Is a Wast of Time" approach (I'm not that good :P ).
Maybe I was really unlucky or have really terrible judgement but in my case only 40% of projects delivered (and I mean in any useful form, not good, e. g. "Mighty No 9" I consider as a success).
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I don't understand why a group of people that willingly choose to be in a 1-2% minority would develop an entitled and demanding attitude. It is our choice to play on the underdog platform. Man up and create reasons to deserve respect.
3 Likes, Who?
Quoting: 14I don't understand why a group of people that willingly choose to be in a 1-2% minority would develop an entitled and demanding attitude. It is our choice to play on the underdog platform. Man up and create reasons to deserve respect.
Interesting, isn't it. Especially considering that HBS has been exceptionally good towards Linux and deserve nothing but respect for their determination in getting us those games.
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: GuestQuoting: nitroflowHarebrained schemes(the actual developer, you know, not Paradox) as delivered on every single kickstarter they made, and linux release has also been delayed in past titles, so I don't know what most of you are on about?
Kickstarter of a multiplayer oriented game that said day one release. So much has been missed on this game (even things like preorder only content) for GNU/Linux users.
That's why I won't buy it full price. And GOG because I'll only play single player now (personal choice).
There was lack of communication, and unfulfilled promises. Finally having something doesn't negate that. That's what I'm on about anyway.
Fair enough, but that's not enough to take out the pitchforks and run to get a refund though.
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Oh, and if anyone is experiencing any weirdness when they start the game, try the old LC_ALL=C %command%
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Quoting: GuestQuoting: nitroflowQuoting: GuestQuoting: nitroflowHarebrained schemes(the actual developer, you know, not Paradox) as delivered on every single kickstarter they made, and linux release has also been delayed in past titles, so I don't know what most of you are on about?
Kickstarter of a multiplayer oriented game that said day one release. So much has been missed on this game (even things like preorder only content) for GNU/Linux users.
That's why I won't buy it full price. And GOG because I'll only play single player now (personal choice).
There was lack of communication, and unfulfilled promises. Finally having something doesn't negate that. That's what I'm on about anyway.
Fair enough, but that's not enough to take out the pitchforks and run to get a refund though.
I'm not suggesting refunds: kickstarter isn't a guarantee, it's more like an investment strategy, and it's up to each user to choose to be a backer.
Really hard to convey what I mean with just text, but I most certainly don't suggest pitchforks! Mostly just an analysis from me: I don't think that to an end user on GNU/Linux that the game is worth full price now. Reasons are important for feedback to HBS - if they want more money, give an earlier release and keep the promises made. And that's really all - but I stress this as a "feedback tone", not a "pitchfork tone".
Sorry if I wasn't clear enough but I wasn't referring to you specifically!
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Joeyboots80 Sep 28, 2018
Yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!! Hold on........ Yayyyyyyyyyyy! Ok I'm done. :D
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Quoting: PatolaHarebrained Games is purposefully adopting a strategy that harms themselves and their faithful Linux customers. When Linux gamers complain about that, it is at the same time annoyance for being a second-class citizen and a facepalm for the developer influencing them to NOT buy the game.
There goes that entitlement again. Seriously, go play on Windows if that's your attitude, and I'm referring to all the complainers in this thread.
Yes they broke a promise they made during Kickstarter. Game development is hugely complicated and doesn't always turn out as expected. Very often there are delays. So if there's a major technical hiccup, the Linux release will get postponed. That's just a fact of life until we can get our numbers up. We've seen this happen time and time again. Leave the game broken for 95% of your users? Or try and release a broken game to 1% of Linux users? No, you fix the game for 95% of your users, then get on to releasing for the minor platforms later. It makes total sense to me and I don't mind waiting, as long as the port arrives eventually (which it has).
Pretending that the devs have any control over this is showing your ignorance of the game dev process....and makes you look like yet another entitled whining gamer.
HBS have given us some GREAT Linux games. Show them a little respect.
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Schattenspiegel Sep 29, 2018
Hmm...menu and intro videos and character creation play nicely but I am stuck on the prepping for battle screen in the native beta :-(
EDIT : SOLVED by putting LC_ALL=C %command% into the launch options
Bug report browsing reveals quite a few similar issues in the windows version but I guess I will try to see if Lutris comes up with similar problems - another 7 hours download then ...
Last edited by Schattenspiegel on 30 September 2018 at 8:41 pm UTC
EDIT : SOLVED by putting LC_ALL=C %command% into the launch options
Last edited by Schattenspiegel on 30 September 2018 at 8:41 pm UTC
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Avehicle7887 Sep 29, 2018
Personally I'm fine with waiting a bit more for the Linux version, there's only 1 thing that bothers me terribly though - the pre-order bonuses. Why do Linux users have to be punished with lack of content because the game wasn't ready for their platform and it's not even their fault? I understand it's just a few extra skins, but it's enough to consider it a deal breaker for me.
Call me whatever you wish, I know my reasoning may seem wrong to some people, it sounds counterproductive to our platform, but let me just say that doesn't mean we have to be treated as second class citizens and if someone doesn't speak up, devs will keep making the same mistake over and over. I'll gladly pay to have that the DLC.
Last edited by Avehicle7887 on 29 September 2018 at 11:36 am UTC
Call me whatever you wish, I know my reasoning may seem wrong to some people, it sounds counterproductive to our platform, but let me just say that doesn't mean we have to be treated as second class citizens and if someone doesn't speak up, devs will keep making the same mistake over and over. I'll gladly pay to have that the DLC.
Last edited by Avehicle7887 on 29 September 2018 at 11:36 am UTC
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