Confused on Steam Play and Proton? Be sure to check out our guide.
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.
I was sent a link to Pine [Kickstarter Link, Official Site], an open-world adventure game currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter. The way they describe it and their openness about Linux support has me interested.

YouTube Thumbnail
YouTube videos require cookies, you must accept their cookies to view. View cookie preferences.
Accept Cookies & Show   Direct Link

In Pine, every action, even inaction, apparently has an effect. The direction in which you explore the island of Albamare and the way in which you come into contact with its many inhabitants, defines how the world will change, evolve and adapt. That sounds promising, but few games are able to deliver on such a promise so I'm keeping a keen eye on it.

They already have €18,028 pledged of their €100,000 goal with 31 days left they could quite easily hit it with such a good start.

When asked about Linux support on reddit, specifically if they're confident they can do a day-1 Linux release the developer said:
QuoteHi, since the game is being developed with Unity we don't expect the porting process to be too painful.

Though we're currently developing on Windows, we're big fans of Linux ourselves (and are keeping a close eye on the state of the Unity Linux editor). I'm afraid to say a definitive statement since who knows what will happen between now and release. However we will really try to launch at the same time, especially if we get some Linux users in our beta tests so we can see how well Pine runs on different distros and configurations and plan accordingly.

I like the honesty there and Linux is not a stretch goal, so that's good news. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
7 Likes
About the author -
author picture
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.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
16 comments
Page: 1/2»
  Go to:

Samsai Mar 10, 2017
Okay, some pessimistic observations:

Quote€100,000 goal

Quotesince the game is being developed with Unity we don't expect the porting process to be too painful

QuoteThough we're currently developing on Windows

Quotewho knows what will happen between now and release

Quotewe will really try to launch at the same time

At least Linux wasn't a stretch goal but I myself will steer clear of the Kickstarter, as usual.
Arehandoro Mar 10, 2017
Cute characters... check.
Nice overall art... check.
Beautiful OST... check.
Linux chance... check.

Ok, it has all my attention.
Linuxer Mar 10, 2017
The trailer is straight for the heart, though! Will buy only when the Linux port is out and playable.
Spl-it Mar 10, 2017
View PC info
  • Mega Supporter
Quoting: SamsaiOkay, some pessimistic observations:

Quote€100,000 goal
Quotesince the game is being developed with Unity we don't expect the porting process to be too painful
QuoteThough we're currently developing on Windows
Quotewho knows what will happen between now and release
Quotewe will really try to launch at the same time
At least Linux wasn't a stretch goal but I myself will steer clear of the Kickstarter, as usual.

I actually got excited for a moment when I saw the trailer,until it showed the unity3d icon... I think we've all had our share of unity3d kickstarter projects that get developed on windows where the devs are "really excited" about a linux build.

Lets just hope this one really does make it to linux and doesnt have the performance of a 3 legged donkey on acid.
Nanobang Mar 10, 2017
View PC info
  • Supporter
Quoting: Spl-itI actually got excited for a moment when I saw the trailer,until it showed the unity3d icon... I think we've all had our share of unity3d kickstarter projects that get developed on windows where the devs are "really excited" about a linux build.

Lets just hope this one really does make it to linux and doesnt have the performance of a 3 legged donkey on acid.

3 legged donkeys on acid?
We should be so lucky!
We usually only get the corpses of donkeys semi-melted with acid by devs who want to remove all evidence they ever said anything about a Linux port. XD


Last edited by Nanobang on 10 March 2017 at 12:38 pm UTC
Mountain Man Mar 10, 2017
"...we don't expect the porting process to be too painful."

My prediction: They're going to find the porting process painful. If they want it to be painless then they have to develop explicitly for cross platform. By focusing on Windows-only, they're going to discover all sorts of "gotchas" when they attempt to port to Linux. I wish more developers understood this.
qptain Nemo Mar 10, 2017
Is Unity really that quirky and requires that much effort to sort out on Linux? I'm genuinely curious because
1. Never had many issues with Unity games thankfully
2. What can the developers even do to resolve those issues? They don't have the access to the source of the engine.

Would appreciate any specific examples and details.
marcelomendes Mar 10, 2017
I've seen this movie before, so many times. This is a big NOPE. No more promises. No tux, no bucks. Once the tux is there, AND the game is worth it I will spend my money.
ShabbyX Mar 10, 2017
Quoting: qptain Nemo2. What can the developers even do to resolve those issues? They don't have the access to the source of the engine.

Except that they do. The source is open (not free, but just open), so they can actually fix stuff and send patches.

But I'm not as pessimistic as others here. They seem to like Linux (which likely means there is someone who uses Linux, but cannot use the Unity editor yet because it's unstable (hence the comment about the state of the editor on Linux)). Also, they talk about testing the game on various distros, so by all means, it looks like they know how to deal with Linux.
rustybroomhandle Mar 10, 2017
Such negativity. If I were a dev doing a Kickstarter reading all this, I'd probably just not bother trying to support Linux since it looks like Linux users are a bunch of cranky assholes that most likely won't support the Kickstarter to begin with.

We know this is not true though, but daaang does it ever look that way.

I will continue to support Kickstarters that look like they have promise, using my good judgement.
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.