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Underworld Ascendant [Official Site], the action RPG from the original creators of Ultima Underworld added Linux support as part of the original Kickstarter back in 2015. Now, it seems they're not too sure what they're doing with Linux support.

Originally, Linux support was a stretch goal, where it would have been included if their original Kickstarter hit a specific amount in funding. They later decided to add it into the initial goal, due to user feedback. Everything then seemed fine, until I saw the confusion surrounding how they're handling the Linux (and Mac) releases.

The confusion, comes from their replies on a Steam forum post where users were asking about their Linux plans.

It started off with a user asking this: "So there will be a Linux version but for Kickstarter backers only?" with a reply of "As of now, yes." (source). That was back in August of 2017, so it was a while back. Sadly though, their most recent replies aren't really making it any clearer.

In October 2017 a developer then said this:

Hi folks, to clarify, we will have Mac and Linux versions of the full game for our backers. We need to work out any plans to sell them as well, which is why we haven't definitively said we would do that yet. […]

I asked for some further clarification, since this really wasn't clear. It made it sound like they didn't actually have any plan yet to actually sell a Linux version outside of providing it to people who backed the Kickstarter. The latest developer reply as of a few hours ago is still keeping it very unclear:

Hi folks, we don't have a more detailed update on this yet. We will deliver Mac / Linux builds to our backers as promised. We have not yet finalized our plans to sell those versions (what distribution platforms, when, etc.). We want to sell them and we realize that may not sound completely logical, but we just don't want to make commitments when we don't have the specifics figured out. Stay tuned. . .

I sincerely hope this isn't going to be another Kickstarter that lets us down. As they did say, they do want to sell it, but it worries me that they're making it so very unclear. We know the game itself is going to be on Steam with a release due this year, so it's very strange why they can't at least confirm the Linux version will be on Steam—why wouldn't it be?

At least they're not doing a Kingdom Come: Deliverance and completely failing to provide any kind of Linux support.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Action, Editorial, RPG
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16 comments
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Orkultus Feb 28, 2018
So then it becomes free ware? lol
Shmerl Feb 28, 2018
Quoting: KimyrielleI backed it, so I guess I would get it no matter what.

It still sounds weird to make a working Linux client and then not sell it. Why would anyone in their right mind pass on additional profit?

I'm a backer too, and now I'm concerned that they aren't committed to Linux support. Most probably the reason for that is that they don't want to support the Linux version with future updates. Number of Linux backers would be smaller than potential number of Linux buyers, so they can try to get away with releasing a buggy version without any future updates.

I'm not saying that's what they are doing (I surely hope not), but it pretty much looks that way.


Last edited by Shmerl on 28 February 2018 at 4:27 pm UTC
Schattenspiegel Feb 28, 2018
Well... at least they are creative.
slaapliedje Feb 28, 2018
I backed this as well, they need to get their shit together.
TheRiddick Mar 1, 2018
Hopefully they can get a Linux version done after initial windows released, not the best situation but its better then them trying during development, running out of money, then going belly up!
slaapliedje Mar 1, 2018
Step 1) open kickstarter, say game is going to be multi-platform.
Step 2) Design game for Windows even though you promised it to be multi-platform.
Step 3) Profit!
Step 4) Ignore screaming people because it costs to much because you were dumb and didn't use multi-platform tools/APIs...

I think that pretty much sums up far too many projects.

I'm pretty bitter about this one (and System Shock 3) because wtf??? Actually I'm getting kind of pissed off at Tower 57 too...
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