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Starbound developer comments on Linux support and their SteamOS icon

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Starbound is a really cool game that has supported Linux for quite some time, but they had their SteamOS icon removed on Steam some time ago. The developer is doing a reddit AMA so I decided to pop two questions that got nice answers.

From the reddit AMA
Q: Will the SteamOS icon return for Starbound on Steam soon? :)
Tiyuri, ChucklefishWe're working on that :)

Q: Also, how have you guys found the experience of supporting Linux/SteamOS?
Tiyuri, ChucklefishSupporting linux is something we're passionate about and it's been pretty painless for the most part. Honestly the linux numbers are minuscule in comparison to every other platform so I don't blame developers who decide not to put that work in, but it's nice to support the OS if you can.

I like the honesty, it's something I always value from developers. The fact that he said it's pretty painless is also a good sign for other developers wanting to/already looking into Linux support.

I am really looking forward to the big 1.0 release for Starbound! It has so much content now it's really crazy and I am interested to see what they have done with the story and progression in it.

You can find Starbound on Steam, Humble Store, and GOG. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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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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9 comments

coruun Jun 10, 2016
During the AMA, Tiy also mentioned a possible release before the end of July:

Quoting: TiyuriThis isn't a promise, anything could come up and we're just going to keep polishing it until it's ready. But internally we're aiming for any time before the end of July.

Obviously we're pretty terrible at predicting dates.
STiAT Jun 10, 2016
Painless Linux-Support has two sides:
It's probably painless to support stuff if you're using the right libraries to get all the window management, input and stuff done.
What can be a pain, especially for graphically more... challanging products is still the graphics stack. Ye, a lot of is done there, but we're not quite where I'd consider it a good state.

Still, ye, Linux numbers is minimal, and I can understand business decisions on not supporting Linux. Though, it's always nice if we get a game :-).
neowiz73 Jun 10, 2016
once 1.0 is released people will get a fresh look into Starbound, because they get that "new released" hype. With all the crazy amount of content going into the game I'm sure it will turn out to be a legend in it's own right. I really like this new wave of 2D sandbox/voxel style games. Terraria, Crea and Starbound are all great in their own way. each being unique enough, But I think so far Starbound is my overall favorite.

In their nightly they've changed their old launcher into a more native steam type launcher. So I'm sure their SteamOS logo will be back when 1.0 drops. hopefully their Linux sells will be up a bit higher then.


Last edited by neowiz73 on 10 June 2016 at 10:04 am UTC
coruun Jun 10, 2016
Quoting: neowiz73In their nightly they've changed their old launcher into a more native steam type launcher.

I was hoping that they are dropping the launcher, because there was simply no value.
neowiz73 Jun 10, 2016
Quoting: coruun
Quoting: neowiz73In their nightly they've changed their old launcher into a more native steam type launcher.

I was hoping that they are dropping the launcher, because there was simply no value.

in the Steam type launcher there's no extra web info via HTML like their old one. But it still allows you to choose to run a dedicated server or just run the regular Starbound client, just a plain steam type launcher.
Dea1993 Jun 10, 2016
but what happends if now i buy this game on steam?? this will count as a linux sale or not?
i don't why buy a linux game if this don't count as a linux sell
Liam Dawe Jun 10, 2016
Quoting: Dea1993but what happends if now i buy this game on steam?? this will count as a linux sale or not?
i don't why buy a linux game if this don't count as a linux sell
It will count.

If a game supports Linux on Steam regardless of it having the icon, the developers will of course be able to see it.

The key is to buy and play games on Linux and not to buy them before a Linux build is downloadable and playable, that's the key thing to remember.
F.Ultra Jun 10, 2016
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Quoting: STiATPainless Linux-Support has two sides:
It's probably painless to support stuff if you're using the right libraries to get all the window management, input and stuff done.
What can be a pain, especially for graphically more... challanging products is still the graphics stack. Ye, a lot of is done there, but we're not quite where I'd consider it a good state.

Still, ye, Linux numbers is minimal, and I can understand business decisions on not supporting Linux. Though, it's always nice if we get a game :-).

I think that the pain that some devs feel with Linux is that they try to handle it like just another version of Windows, realizing that there can be a world of difference between the two systems and cry wolf. Now I'm no game developer but I do develop software for a living and I always write the Linux version first and then port to Windows and every time it's a real pain to do, so I image that the reverse must be true for devs that are used to how Windows works as well.
mulletdeath Jun 10, 2016
Wishlisted on GOG; I'm not big on full price for In-Dev titles. Though it does look interesting, I see a lot of user reviews saying it's an overall shallow experience, with one person calling it "a shallow but wide ocean" or something like that. I do wonder how true that is and how true that will be for the full game.
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