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Sounds like Linux game downloads are popular on game store itch

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The creator of game store itch.io has been tweeting out about Linux gaming and Linux games seem to be quite popular in terms of downloads on the store. I'm not surprised, considering they're pretty awesome at what they do. They even have an open source client you can use to keep your games up to date.

Here's what they said (quoted/pics taken with permission):

Do you play games on Linux? A lot of people on @itchio do. Daily Linux and macOS downloads are about tied. Maybe something to consider when you export your games! #indiedev pic.twitter.com/3pEu3puuaO

— leaf @ itch.io 🙌 (@moonscript) May 10, 2018


They included this picture to show it in some more detail: 

To give you an idea of what that picture represents, they also put some numbers to the amount of games available for Linux and Mac.

There are 15k games for Linux, and 21k games for macOS. So it looks like Linux users generate more downloads per game on average.https://t.co/c2zpbt8ysrhttps://t.co/rDROY5zulC

— leaf @ itch.io 🙌 (@moonscript) May 10, 2018


For even more detail, here's a look at downloads between just Linux and Mac over the past 6 months:

One of the good things about itch, is that it's easy for developers to get their games on there. Steam requires you to pay a fee for Steam Direct, GOG specifically pick and accept titles themselves and Humble Store likely has their own requirements too. Naturally though, this does mean itch gets a large amount of experimental games, tech demos and weird junk, but they do also have a slowly increasing library of great indie games too. If you're developing a game, itch is a store you should certainly be looking at.

I've been quite surprised by the itch team, as any time I've spoken to a developer after having trouble getting their game running through the itch client, the itch people have been quick to jump in and try to help get it fixed.

Personally, I think it's great to see the folks behind itch.io give a shout out for Linux gamers. I have to admit, it put a bit of a smile on my face after a long day.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Itch.io
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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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19 comments
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GustyGhost May 10, 2018
Between Itch and GOG, they more than meet my needs... except for multiplayer (over network) games. I have my fingers crossed that Steam's open licensed GameNetworkingSockets can help this a little.
Lonsfor May 10, 2018
Itch.io>gog
PublicNuisance May 11, 2018
I have come to use Itch.io as my primary store when a game is on there. I stick to their DRM free games though not ones that only offer a Steam key. My only complaint about them would be their two factor authentication is broken for me. It would start to reject the keys the app would generate on 2 different itch accounts I tried. The backup codes are single use and were getting chewed up fast. I just ended up turning the feature off. My preference would be:

1. Itch.io
2. GOG
3. Humble
4. Steam

I have started to notice that more games are starting to put the Windows version on itch but not the Linux just like on GOG. Hopefully this trend doesn't continue.
GustyGhost May 11, 2018
Quoting: PublicNuisanceI have started to notice that more games are starting to put the Windows version on itch but not the Linux just like on GOG. Hopefully this trend doesn't continue.

Yeah that's the most frustrating thing. I messaged the developers of Apocryph about a Linux build. No reply yet.
buenaventura May 11, 2018
I like itch.io alot for buying games when I want to support a developer - as far as I've understood, only 10% gets deducted and the rest goes to the developer, of what I pay. I have to pay some extra taxes so it is slightly more expensive than say Steam, but I consider that tipping I guess. Nice client also! And it is fun to have so many strange games on offer.
buenaventura May 11, 2018
Quoting: Guest
Quoting: buenaventuraI like itch.io alot for buying games when I want to support a developer - as far as I've understood, only 10% gets deducted and the rest goes to the developer, of what I pay. I have to pay some extra taxes so it is slightly more expensive than say Steam, but I consider that tipping I guess. Nice client also! And it is fun to have so many strange games on offer.

They don't actually take anything. Each Dev has to specify the how much of the sales goes to itch. They can give as little as 0% or as much as 100%

Ah, well, that's awesome. Thanks for the info!
Tchey May 11, 2018
I really prefer itchio client over Steam client, even if i have much more games on Steam, because of how massive and popular is Steam, and many games i like simply don't exist outside of Steam.

But i tend to pick my games on itch whenever i can.

Then i would go to Humble, Steam and lastly, on GoG (i think they consider Linux users without much care, with not up to date games, absence of Galaxy, etc).

Steam still has one big advantage left over the others so far : you can get a refund.
Tim May 11, 2018
I tried to draw attention to itch.io for many years, but people told me - what the crap is this? Dunno... It works well, it have Linux App, it allow game devs to choose what percentage do they want to give to support itch.io. Game devs even can to choose 0%. Its a good alternative to GOG, not Steam of course.
Mnoleg May 11, 2018
Quoting: PatolaWhat are your preferred itch.io-only games, people?
I enjoyed these. You can try the first episode for free (PWYW).
https://kidalang.itch.io/sage-fusion
https://kidalang.itch.io/sage-fusion-2

REVIEW HERE
Tchey May 11, 2018
From itchio, here are some of the games i launch or launched (some went from Itch to gather early feedbacks, to a Steam only distribution) :

Argentum Age
Depth of Extinction
RPG in a Box
Nowhere Prophet
Sort the Court
Mindustry
Autonauts
Lenna's Inception
Maia
Xenomarine
Rise of Industry
Cultist Simulator
...

And several "small games", 7DRL and stuff like Patient Rogue or Constellations
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