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In a sad turn of events, but not exactly surprising, the President of Blizzard responded to the petition calling for Blizzard to support Linux, the answer is obvious, but what's sad is the response from the petition creator.

Here's the official response to Blizzard not being on Linux:
QuoteI certainly appreciate your passion and enthusiasm around this. Those are some great comments that you have included below, but the numbers just aren’t there right now. Linux usage represents less than 2% of installed desktop operating systems browsing the web, and I would assume most of those people also have access to a Windows or Mac device capable of playing Blizzard games.

We will continue to monitor the growth of Linux, but it is very unlikely that this will be something that we pursue in the near future.


I think we all saw that coming, but here's the sad part, in public directly below this the petition owner said this:
QuoteI am not sure just what the hell Morhaime is smoking but obviously he needs to stop or change to a different plant. How can he say we are under 2% when there is no concrete evidence to prove it. He also can not seem to grasp the fact that the reason why some of use are stuck using Windows is because of Blizzard and not because we love using Windows.

One thing is for sure, I am gonna have to work harder if I am going to break through that thick head of his.

Will keep you posted.


That's a perfect way to make sure Blizzard never respond to that petition again. This also gives them fuel to continue to not support us, if that is the attitude of people who try to represent us.

I think we all need to ask ourselves what Andrew (the petition creator) "is smoking". It was a perfectly reasonable response from Blizzard, and I didn't even expect Blizzard to respond until the petition was much bigger.

Blizzard, we aren't all like this, and please do not think that person speaks for us, as they do not. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Editorial
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85 comments
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keiki Mar 11, 2015
The answer from them in % already proofed that they already made up their mind before the petition. Liam you were sadly right that a petition usually has no effect.
coolbober Mar 11, 2015
In my point of view it was not a proper revert for msg. Ok between friends we can say like this. But that was quite official.

Maybe that someone is still young? I'm not saying that young age is something wrong, but older people have a little bit different reactions for life

Brgds
Bomyne Mar 11, 2015
We need to rally together and get all linux subscribers to unsubscribe, and note the lack of linux client as the reason.
Xzyl Mar 11, 2015
I agree, many who use linux and want to play WoW probably already do by either dual booting or through wine.

I recall GoG and a simular situation. Given time they may change thier position. Interesting someone so high up posted though..

Liam, if Blizzard can't handle flamers in a forum and base their future release platforms on a "what's he smoking" comment I would both laugh and cry!

Any one person does not represent the whole. Those who think so are terribly mistaken. It probably happens though.

Truthfully they only need to support opengl/vulkan, wine could handle the light lifting if the graphics API was native. which maybe the case more and more if linux gaming shrinks again.
Perhaps that should be the next petition.
Lordpkappa Mar 11, 2015
What do you think is the minimum market share to support Linux for Blizzard? I think 5% maybe will be enough.
Keizgon Mar 11, 2015
I'm not even worried about this whole fiasco, from either angle. o.O

People act like, well, people. Throwing out statistics that we're a minority isn't a new thing. It's false promises and asinine statements about a minority to exploit them is what really gets under a sane individual's skin, not what this guy is spouting.

Really glad to hear Blizzard's stance though. Unfortunate, but valuable to know. Just makes it easier to eliminate future speculations from the company while I don't consume their products (stopped years ago). :)
Keizgon Mar 11, 2015
Quoting: coolboberMaybe that someone is still young? I'm not saying that young age is something wrong, but older people have a little bit different reactions for life

That's my assumption (based on Blizzard's demographic audience). Though, I'd say even adults are just as bad (ie: extremists).

Edit: Whoops, sorry for double post. :)
lucifertdark Mar 11, 2015
I don't really see the big fuss over Blizzard, they used to be relevant when they made decent games, but they stopped doing that in 2004 when they released World of Warcraft.
Tak Mar 11, 2015
QuoteI would assume most of those people also have access to a Windows or Mac device capable of playing Blizzard games.

This is the part of the response that explains the difference between Blizzard's attitude and ours (Linux protagonists') - they assume that everybody who uses Linux has Windows machines and Macs lying around, while many of us have gotten rid of, or want to get rid of, them entirely.
mrdeathjr Mar 11, 2015
Quoting: LordpkappaWhat do you think is the minimum market share to support Linux for Blizzard? I think 5% maybe will be enough.

Think exactly same but make this objective linux must be more simple to final user

As you said if linux userbase grow around 5% is possible blizzard see with other perspective but for them money is first (activision/blizzard:bobby kotick* 12 millon sir)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kotick

Him said sometime ago "if player can pay 60 dollars for game, players can pay more"

However wow have opengl mode, this maybe more easily linux port

Other thing steam linux survey must be improve for specify more details than now

^_^
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