Regarding proton, I don't want to resort to "I told you so..." but

Quotetelling developers basically "don't port to Linux"

the logical conclusion of compromise and ceding ground is now being reached.

Quoting: GustyGhostRegarding proton, I don't want to resort to "I told you so..." but

Quotetelling developers basically "don't port to Linux"

the logical conclusion of compromise and ceding ground is now being reached.

Agreed. I can only count on one hand the times I have seen developers work to make sure their game works with Proton but have many times more been told "why not just try Wine" when asking if they plan a Linux version.

Regarding Cloud Gaming vs Game Streaming, it does disambiguate from things like Twitch.

Regarding future directions, I'd quite like to see GOL leaning into being a resource for native game dev. The already narrow niche for wanting a Windows game to be run on Linux enough to pay for it, but not enough to do it myself has been mostly eaten by Proton, but that in itself was largely a stopgap. Having Linux as a standard build target for all games would be healthy for game devs, and obviously beneficial to us as Linux gamers. Testimonials and advice from successful multiplatform developers, driving improvements in multiplatform engines and tooling, that kind of thing. Even those parts of the audience who are just here for the games are likely to appreciate the benefits of working collaboratively or tinkering, what with it being GOL. Plus I do love me some tech talk and interviews.

Quoting: CatKillerI'd quite like to see GOL leaning into being a resource for native game dev

Would need people to volunteer their time on that, not my area of expertise at all. I will continue the interviews though, and we do have more coming up I need to sort out :)

Right now we're fine, funding is fine and traffic is fine - no worries there for now, just thinking on what steps to take in the Proton and Steam Deck era. There's clearly space for covering games run on Proton and the Steam Deck directly, as I don't think people will suddenly move to IGN for desktop Linux stuff.

Quoting: Liam DaweWould need people to volunteer their time on that, not my area of expertise at all.

Sure. I was thinking that you already have contacts in the game dev community, so you could encourage them to use GOL as a watering hole to chat about their experiences. Broadly like the Gamasutra blogs, but for Linux game dev rather than marketing. A focal point for devs to help each other. That kind of thing.

Quoting: Liam DaweThere's clearly space for covering games run on Proton and the Steam Deck directly, as I don't think people will suddenly move to IGN for desktop Linux stuff.

You've been doing sterling work correcting the Internet from the manglings of Windows-focused journalists.

Last edited by CatKiller on 30 July 2021 at 7:40 am UTC

Quoting: CatKillerSure. I was thinking that you already have contacts in the game dev community, so you could encourage them to use GOL as a watering hole to chat about their experiences. Broadly like the Gamasutra blogs, but for Linux game dev rather than marketing. A focal point for devs to help each other. That kind of thing.

I have thought about such a thing for some time, just need to figure out how to actually get developers to pay attention.

Quoting: Liam DaweI have thought about such a thing for some time, just need to figure out how to actually get developers to pay attention.

I suspect (and hope, of course) that if such a thing exists, even if it's small at first, that game devs will start to search it out themselves. A single place that signals, "we can help you," will be a welcome thing when they're struggling with uncertainty.

Quoting: CatKillerRegarding Cloud Gaming vs Game Streaming, it does disambiguate from things like Twitch.

I'll second that, especially as a non-native english speaker, Cloud Gaming is more specific.
(In fact, the first time I read Game Streaming, I thought GOL was going to cover things like OBS / Twitch...)

Cloud gaming is a perfect tag.

If you had the time and resources to write reviews for AAA games, I would certainly read them and I'm sure they would be great. But it's not something I'm missing from, or expect from GoL.

What I love is the diversity of the coverage and articles. Native or non-native, FLOSS games, emulators, driver and hardware news, the interviews, the Wine puns. No one does it better. That's why I keep coming back here.

So essentially, to keep me happy, keep doing what you do now! :)

Also, while the Gabe Boy certainly have grabbed everyone's attention I think and hope, (thope?*) that we're on the brink of a new adventure. There seems to be a trend towards game development being done with FLOSS tools like Godot (and hopefully O3DE). And maybe, just maybe, more developers (hello Ron Gilbert!) will jump ship and do their actual development on Linux. That's when the interesting stuff starts to happen! I'm sure you would do an excellent job of covering that.

* There's probably a long unpronounceable German word perfectly suited to express this sentiment.