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The Linux GOTY award is now over, here are the results!

By - | Views: 87,814
It was a massive year for Linux gaming, so here's a look at who won and a big congratulations to all who did!

Note: These are just the top charts, there were plenty more entries in each category.

Favourite open source game 0 A.D. 730 A.D.OpenTTD 49OpenTTDSuperTuxKart 48SuperTuxKartBattle for Wesnoth 43Battle for WesnothXonotic 24XonoticNethack 19NethackThe Dark Mod 16The Dark ModMinetest 15MinetestFreeciv 12FreecivDungeon Crawl Stone Soup 9Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup 0 A.D. 73OpenTTD 49SuperTuxKart 48Battle for Wesnoth 43Xonotic 24Nethack 19The Dark Mod 16Minetest 15Freeciv 12Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup 9 7349484324191615129 01530456075 Total Votes

I wasn't honestly sure who was going to win this, as there's some pretty hot competition there! Well done to 0 A.D. who do put in a lot of effort to make a professional project.

Best graphics for a game released in 2016 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided 120Deus Ex: Mankind DividedMad Max 50Mad MaxTomb Raider 49Tomb RaiderDying Light: The Following 37Dying Light: The FollowingFirewatch 23FirewatchXCOM 2 16XCOM 2Rocket League 14Rocket LeagueHyper Light Drifter 13Hyper Light DrifterStellaris 11StellarisShadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun 11Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun Deus Ex: Mankind Divided 120Mad Max 50Tomb Raider 49Dying Light: The Following 37Firewatch 23XCOM 2 16Rocket League 14Hyper Light Drifter 13Stellaris 11Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun 11 120504937231614131111 024487296120 Total Votes

The lead Deus Ex: Mankind Divided had is quite amazing, but not surprising. It does look absolutely gorgeous and I am personally a big fan of it!

Best story for a game released in 2016 Life is Strange 114Life is StrangeFirewatch 45FirewatchTomb Raider 37Tomb RaiderTyranny 30TyrannyUndertale 30UndertaleDeus Ex: Mankind Divided 21Deus Ex: Mankind DividedDay of the Tentacle 19Day of the TentacleOxenfree 14OxenfreeHyper Light Drifter 7Hyper Light DrifterVA-11 Hall-A 5VA-11 Hall-A Life is Strange 114Firewatch 45Tomb Raider 37Tyranny 30Undertale 30Deus Ex: Mankind Divided 21Day of the Tentacle 19Oxenfree 14Hyper Light Drifter 7VA-11 Hall-A 5 1144537303021191475 023466992115 Total Votes

Another Feral Interactive ported title here and again not very surprising. I completed it during a livestream and the overall story was pretty amazing. Even if the end was a little on the odd side.

Most promising Early Access game in 2016 Black Mesa 55Black MesaFactorio 41FactorioRimworld 34RimworldThe Long Dark 33The Long DarkSlime Rancher 24Slime RancherBallistic Overkill 23Ballistic OverkillDistance 22DistanceParkitect 20Parkitect7 Days to Die 177 Days to DieRust 10Rust Black Mesa 55Factorio 41Rimworld 34The Long Dark 33Slime Rancher 24Ballistic Overkill 23Distance 22Parkitect 207 Days to Die 17Rust 10 55413433242322201710 01122334455 Total Votes

This one I am genuinely surprised by, as I honestly thought it would turn out completely differently. I was fully expecting one of the survival games to take the crown, but I'm pleasantly surprised by the results here. Massive competition in this category, so well done to all who made the top!

Best update released in 2016 Dota 2 35Dota 2SuperTuxKart 33SuperTuxKartStellaris 28StellarisKerbal Space Program 24Kerbal Space ProgramFactorio 21FactorioTerraria 19TerrariaStardew Valley 18Stardew ValleyDreamfall Chapters 17Dreamfall ChaptersArma 3 16Arma 3Planetary Annihilation: TITANS 15Planetary Annihilation: TITANS Dota 2 35SuperTuxKart 33Stellaris 28Kerbal Space Program 24Factorio 21Terraria 19Stardew Valley 18Dreamfall Chapters 17Arma 3 16Planetary Annihilation: TITANS 15 35332824211918171615 0714212835 Total Votes

When it comes to free games and their updates, it's pretty hard to compete against something from Valve like Dota 2 which had a massive overhaul. I'm still scared to boot the game up and waste an entire day yelling at people, or being yelled at.

Best free game released in 2016 Life Is Strange - Episode 1 181Life Is Strange - Episode 1Warthunder 46WarthunderFaeria 24FaeriaTransmissions: Element 120 19Transmissions: Element 120Raft 13RaftHunger Dungeon 5Hunger DungeonEmpires 3EmpiresSisyphus Reborn 1Sisyphus Reborn Life Is Strange - Episode 1 181Warthunder 46Faeria 24Transmissions: Element 120 19Raft 13Hunger Dungeon 5Empires 3Sisyphus Reborn 1 18146241913531 03774111148185 Total Votes

Some people may feel this is a little unfair, but Life is Strange episode one is a free game and it is very good, even if it is but a taster of what's to come in later episodes.

Most anticipated game for 2017 Civilization VI 94Civilization VIStar Citizen 42Star CitizenYooka-Laylee 39Yooka-LayleeTorment: Tides of Numenera 38Torment: Tides of NumeneraShadow Warrior 2 34Shadow Warrior 2Homefront: The Revolution 13Homefront: The RevolutionStreet Fighter V 12Street Fighter VEvent[0] 11Event[0]Owlboy 10OwlboyAstroneer 10Astroneer Civilization VI 94Star Citizen 42Yooka-Laylee 39Torment: Tides of Numenera 38Shadow Warrior 2 34Homefront: The Revolution 13Street Fighter V 12Event[0] 11Owlboy 10Astroneer 10 94423938341312111010 01938577695 Total Votes

It looks like the most anticipated game will arrive soon!

Best version quality & performance released in 2016 Rocket League 67Rocket LeagueMad Max 53Mad MaxLife is Strange 48Life is StrangeStellaris 28StellarisFactorio 19FactorioShadow Tactics 18Shadow TacticsTotal War: WARHAMMER 18Total War: WARHAMMERTyranny 16TyrannyBallistic Overkill 14Ballistic OverkillSteamWorld Heist 12SteamWorld Heist Rocket League 67Mad Max 53Life is Strange 48Stellaris 28Factorio 19Shadow Tactics 18Total War: WARHAMMER 18Tyranny 16Ballistic Overkill 14SteamWorld Heist 12 67534828191818161412 01428425670 Total Votes

I'm surprised here, since the game was released in a rather unstable state and still to this day has a number of issues. Not my personal choice for the winner, but the people have spoken!

Best audio of a game released in 2016 Life is Strange 69Life is StrangeFirewatch 39FirewatchStellaris 34StellarisUndertale 28UndertaleMad Max 26Mad MaxStardew Valley 22Stardew ValleyDarkest Dungeon 21Darkest DungeonHyper Light Drifter 15Hyper Light DrifterStarbound 12StarboundDevil Daggers 9Devil Daggers Life is Strange 69Firewatch 39Stellaris 34Undertale 28Mad Max 26Stardew Valley 22Darkest Dungeon 21Hyper Light Drifter 15Starbound 12Devil Daggers 9 6939342826222115129 01428425670 Total Votes

I absolutely love the mellow tunes in Life is Strange and I've been guilty of sticking the soundtrack on myself for some background noise, really great stuff.

Favourite FOSS project Wine 87WineMESA 70MESAOpenMW 35OpenMWOBS Studio 31OBS StudioGodot Engine 26Godot EngineDolphin Emulator 25Dolphin EmulatorPlay on Linux 22Play on LinuxScummVM 13ScummVMOpenRA 11OpenRARetroArch 10RetroArch Wine 87MESA 70OpenMW 35OBS Studio 31Godot Engine 26Dolphin Emulator 25Play on Linux 22ScummVM 13OpenRA 11RetroArch 10 87703531262522131110 01836547290 Total Votes

Ever the hot topic of discussion. Talk of Wine always heats up our comments sections when it's mentioned. You have to marvel at it though, as it's really quite amazing. It's the project that enabled me to stay on Linux as much as possible in my early days and kept me going. Now I run this website, so it's my own personal choice too.

Overall best Linux game released in 2016 Rocket League 46Rocket LeagueXCOM 2 43XCOM 2Life is Strange 43Life is StrangeMad Max 38Mad MaxTomb Raider 35Tomb RaiderStellaris 26StellarisMankind Divided 25Mankind DividedStardew Valley 17Stardew ValleyShadow Tactics 11Shadow TacticsFirewatch 10Firewatch Rocket League 46XCOM 2 43Life is Strange 43Mad Max 38Tomb Raider 35Stellaris 26Mankind Divided 25Stardew Valley 17Shadow Tactics 11Firewatch 10 46434338352625171110 01020304050 Total Votes

Quite easily my most played released on Linux from last year. I have over 49 hours in Rocket League now, so I won't even try to debate this one. A fantastic game and seriously fun to play with friends and the wider community!

Best DLC release in 2016 Dying Light - The Following 46Dying Light - The FollowingNatural Disasters 42Natural DisastersThe White March Part II 39The White March Part IIXCOM 2 - Shen's Last Gift 28XCOM 2 - Shen's Last GiftStellaris: Leviathans 23Stellaris: LeviathansArma 3 Apex 19Arma 3 ApexVive La France! 15Vive La France!Sunless Sea: Zubmariner 11Sunless Sea: ZubmarinerEuropa Universalis IV: Rights of Man 10Europa Universalis IV: Rights of ManCall of the Beastmen 8Call of the Beastmen Dying Light - The Following 46Natural Disasters 42The White March Part II 39XCOM 2 - Shen's Last Gift 28Stellaris: Leviathans 23Arma 3 Apex 19Vive La France! 15Sunless Sea: Zubmariner 11Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man 10Call of the Beastmen 8 4642392823191511108 01020304050 Total Votes

Okay, I won't argue against this one. I'm slowly making my way through The Following myself and I'm finding it to be truly fun. Lots of zombie smashing, an buggy that has a bunch of upgrade options and plenty of open-world to explore. Loving it myself!

Biggest surprise Linux release of 2016 Mankind Divided 154Mankind DividedMad Max 43Mad MaxWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II 31Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IIRocket League 31Rocket LeagueLife is Strange 31Life is StrangeTomb Raider 29Tomb RaiderTotal War: WARHAMMER 18Total War: WARHAMMERShadow Tactics 15Shadow TacticsOverlord 15OverlordUndertale 10Undertale Mankind Divided 154Mad Max 43Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II 31Rocket League 31Life is Strange 31Tomb Raider 29Total War: WARHAMMER 18Shadow Tactics 15Overlord 15Undertale 10 154433131312918151510 0316293124155 Total Votes

Speaks for itself. I hope to see more surprises this year.

Favourite Linux game porter of 2016 Feral Interactive 297Feral InteractiveAspyr Media 31Aspyr MediaEthan Lee 22Ethan LeeVirtual Programming 12Virtual ProgrammingRyan Gordon (Icculus) 12Ryan Gordon (Icculus)Cheeseness 7CheesenessKnockout Games 3Knockout GamesTimothee Besset (TTimo) 2Timothee Besset (TTimo) Feral Interactive 297Aspyr Media 31Ethan Lee 22Virtual Programming 12Ryan Gordon (Icculus) 12Cheeseness 7Knockout Games 3Timothee Besset (TTimo) 2 29731221212732 060120180240300 Total Votes

Not really surprising is it? The amount of games Feral Interactive have ported to Linux is quite amazing. They are already teasing their next release too, so 2017 is going to be fun.

Come chat in the comments about how last year went and how you think this year will go! Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: GOTY
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53 comments
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Kimyrielle Jan 30, 2017
Quoting: boltronicsI'd love to see Bethesda, Ubisoft or EA test the waters with a GNU/Linux release or two this year. To be fair, Ubisoft already did in late 2015 with Grow Home, but then for 2016 decided not to bother porting the sequel Grow Up (yet, at least). Too bad they didn't try porting a more well known title, and too bad they released the GNU/Linux port so long after Windows, so not exactly a fair test.

Bethesda is in the best position to start adding GNU/Linux ports. Surely Bethesda took note of how much interest there was in running Doom under Wine - many months after the game was released, no less. Further, unlike EA (with Origin) and Ubisoft (with Uplay), Bethesda don't have a store client. That's one big road block they don't have to contend with. Lastly, Bethesda is the most likely of the three to release a Vulkan-only game, which presumably means less QA work for them to deal with. If they released a game with GNU/Linux support this year, I wouldn't be too surprised (but would be very happy).

Despite my general pessimism, it still looks like 2017 has quite a lot going for it.

Gosh, I so wish you'd be right about that. Bethesda is literally the only publisher not yet on Linux I would love to see starting porting their games. Personally, I couldn't care less about EA or Ubisoft games (I don't own or want any Ubisoft games, and the newest EA game I have is SWTOR, which just had its 5th birthday...). I realize that having their mass-market games would be helpful for our platform in general, but these two haven't made any truly good games in a long, long, long while. What they are churning out is the video game equivalent of Michael Bay movies: Lots of explosions and no substance worth mentioning. Don't need that.

But Bethesda? I am keeping a Windows partition around just for their games. In all honesty, I don't quite understand why some of the bigger publishers are so reluctant to support Linux when they already support Mac. The economies of scale work in their favour even. Our 1-2% market share would translate into a nice extra profit for them, and for a company their size the porting costs would be laughable.

Normally I would say chances to see Beth jump on the Linux train anytime soon are a pretty close approximation to zero. It's not that their CEO had overly nice things to say about Linux. But then again...I didn't think we'd see Square Enix porting a large portion of their more recent AAA catalogue, either. But they did. So..who knows! We're about to get the single most important game of 2017 soon (Civ VI), so we had a good year already and it's just January! Let's see what else will happen. :D
Jahimself Jan 30, 2017
I'm surprised for the best audio, I interpreted it as best audio quality, not necessarily best soundtrack. Deus Ex was the most surprising game I've ever heard on linux, in terms of quality of the audio source. Mad Max was already quite good on that aspect, but wouldn't thought of Life if strange ^^
hummer010 Jan 30, 2017
I'm surprised that Shadow Tactics didn't get more love. I guess there just wasn't enough hype about the game, and thus, not enough people playing it. It's such a fantastic game!
Sgt.Romeo9 Jan 30, 2017
I didn't find Deus Ex: Mankind Divided to be a surprise release. We knew about it coming out for quite some time before it did come out. I personally found Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II to be the biggest surprise. For me that game just came out of nowhere. Have to say I was very happy when it did show up in my library :)
Gobo Jan 30, 2017
I had a hard time casting my vote for the favorite FOSS project. I probably spent most time with Rebirth over all those years and it was my first impulse to chose it here again. But Dolphin made some pretty amazing leaps the last year so I finally changed my mind. Please put Rebirth up again this year so I can even it out ;)

On the other hand I was surprised to see Wine take the lead. Sure, it is a great project and they manged to surprise everyone with lots of high quality updates last year, but we are finally in a position that lots of games run natively, so I thought this community would show other projects some love.

Regarding the favorite porter, I think we should award Icculus with a lifetime achievement.
boltronics Jan 30, 2017
Quoting: jith_feralHello, have you got in touch with Feral Support about the download issue? If not, please email [email protected] and we'll do our best to look into it, but it may be an issue with Steam and therefore out of our control.

Yes. Well, there's a big thread about it on the Steam community forums where someone from Feral have responded and said they are looking into it with Valve's help, but it's been silent for quite some time now.

Quoting: jith_feralWe've had feedback about the warnings, so based on that we've added an option to hide the warnings forever in newer versions of our game launcher. This new game launcher may make it into some of our older games.

That's really good news. Thank you!

Quoting: jith_feralWe do update the specs for games if we've tested and confirmed that performance is up to our standards (e.g. XCOM 2 recently gained AMD support

That's great, but it seems to be the exception rather than the norm, at least in my experience. I've seen comments from Feral in the Steam forums that basically say the game works fine if you use the proprietary drivers, but not if using an old Mesa version as provided by some distros by default, so maybe you could just say that in the requirements?
boltronics Jan 30, 2017
Quoting: Ehvis
Quoting: oldrocker99I get the 0 byte W: DoW download bug every time I open Steam, too.

I just realised that I had four "updates" of 0 bytes yesterday. If this is what is meant here, then it's not just Feral games. I'll have to check later to see if keep coming back.

Only one thing triggers that for me on other games; I have my games library shared across multiple distros, and if I update a game on one and then go to the other, it has to check that it's up to date - and it'll end up downloading nothing. Of the well over 1000 games in my library, DoW2 is literally the only game that downloads 0kb every single time regardless.

That was just an example of an issue I've had with Feral ports, because it's an issue heaps of people have surely noticed. I've pointed out a number of other issues I've encountered over the year, such as the update to Shadow of Mordor that broke Ubuntu 14.04 just the other day (where you need to copy the Feral game libraries from DoW2 to get it working again).

Like I said previously, receiving frequent updates is great, but I'd rather not receive them if they're not going to get the same level of QA.

It's not just Feral at fault here either. A few days ago there was a big update to Slayaway Camp that broke Steam Cloud on GNU/Linux and made me lose my saves - unless I manually went in and created some hard links on the filesystem to work around the mess. It was otherwise a really neat update - but I'd rather not have had the update at all given the hassles it caused.


Last edited by boltronics on 30 January 2017 at 9:22 pm UTC
boltronics Jan 30, 2017
Quoting: liamdaweI get plenty of games that do a similar thing
Really? Not that I've heard of or seen. Which ones?

Quoting: liamdawepeople get really freaked out over such tiny things. Would love to have so little on my plate to worry about a random zero byte update in a Steam list...
Way to troll your audience mate.
badber Jan 30, 2017
Bah, Star Citizen is the one of the BC3kADs of our time along with No Man's Sky, a game that promises everything under the sun and probably can't deliver. I'd advise people to tune down their expectations for it until they see what it's ultimate form will actually be. Much more reason to be excited by Torment or any good title that doesn't promise the moon.
Purple Library Guy Jan 30, 2017
Feral's porting pace really does amaze me. It seems like there must be a serious learning curve--once you've done a few games there must be things you know to look for and how to fix so you can get them out of the way quick, or something, because it certainly seems as if Feral can port a game way quicker than, well, most anyone else.
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