A new saga happened tonight: Reaching the Kickstarter Stretch goal of $900k with 20 days still to go Dreamfall:Chapters will have native versions for Linux and MacOS.


Many Linux fans actually came to watch the goal be met. Dreamfall:Chapters will now be playable on our favorite platform without the use of Wine or Virtual Machines. And a good thing too, because the graphics of this game would probably run too slow on any virtual machine. Unity 4 seems to be making more commercial grade games available to Linux than many ever hoped for. For more details on this Kickstarter campaign and to secure your copy click here:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/redthread/dreamfall-chapters-the-longest-journey
Many suggested it was always in the works because the game was being developed on MacOS workstations, and its probably true. There are still more stretch goals including a Library and extended content. But the goal of a native Linux version is now officially a reality. The game is scheduled to be released in November 2014.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/redthread/dreamfall-chapters-the-longest-journey
Many suggested it was always in the works because the game was being developed on MacOS workstations, and its probably true. There are still more stretch goals including a Library and extended content. But the goal of a native Linux version is now officially a reality. The game is scheduled to be released in November 2014.
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I can't help but be disappointed at this one. They're using Unity 4, and their FAQ had already said that they were going to pursue Linux if at all possible. Subsequently announcing Linux and Mac support as a stretch goal (which is bad enough a practice on its own) has left a pretty sour taste in my mouth.
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@Cheeseness Many people agreed with you.That said, you can make an argument of funding additional testing, but since the games were being developed on MacOS anyway...if I didn't enjoy the first game so much, I wouldn't supported this one. I do agree in spirit that any game made with Unity 4 shouldn't have MacOS/Linux as a stretch goal, its should be a core goal. Ah well, at least its happening.
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@Cheeseness, I agree, don't like linux stretch goals, on the other side it's not a silly high amount, for a product this size I don't think 50k is over the top for extra Quality control/testing/hardware/etc.
and to be honest... the previous where so good, I won't let this spoil it for me this time :)
and to be honest... the previous where so good, I won't let this spoil it for me this time :)
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@jlibster Stretch goals are not the place for offering support for additional platforms that occupy the same space as currently supported platforms.
For an effective campaign, stretch goals need to be focused on rallying the existing contributors (for whom those additional platforms will not be attractive as additional game features, and create a "dead space" that makes those goals less likely to be achieved than other goals would be - I've had a couple of windows users tell me that they would have pledged a smaller amount if they had've realised that the first stretch goal wouldn't bring them anything).
It also sends the message that devalues the contributions of existing backers on those platforms who've made a good-faith contribution with the understanding that a native version wouldn't be guaranteed.
At the end of the day, there's nothing wrong with holding out for more money to support additional platforms, but it's a much better idea to just announce those additional platforms when you're comfortable with them.
For an effective campaign, stretch goals need to be focused on rallying the existing contributors (for whom those additional platforms will not be attractive as additional game features, and create a "dead space" that makes those goals less likely to be achieved than other goals would be - I've had a couple of windows users tell me that they would have pledged a smaller amount if they had've realised that the first stretch goal wouldn't bring them anything).
It also sends the message that devalues the contributions of existing backers on those platforms who've made a good-faith contribution with the understanding that a native version wouldn't be guaranteed.
At the end of the day, there's nothing wrong with holding out for more money to support additional platforms, but it's a much better idea to just announce those additional platforms when you're comfortable with them.
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@Cheeseness Perhaps you missed the part where I said, "I do agree in spirit". But I don't set the rules or strategies. The business world is rarely concerned about "doing the right thing" nearly as much as "how do we get people to pay more for the same thing".
By the way, one of those increasingly rare people appears to have a kickstarter campaign that is beginning to stagnate at 89% and nearly 600 discount $15 full game rewards at Asylum. This fellow put ALL the good stuff as a CORE part of his campaign with only 8 days left. What do you say Linux lovers? If you haven't gone to lend a hand, please do so. At $15 you can give the game to a friend who logs to get scared. Even at $5 you'll help get a game whose core (The Dagon game engine) is open source and promised to Linux from the very beginning. It will take a relative small amount of money (11k) to guarantee funding. IF you agree that Linux offerings should be a core, and not a stretch goal, let's put our money where our mouth is (if you have the budget for it of course). You can help make another quality game for Linux happen here:
[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/agustincordes/asylum-kickstart-the-horror/](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/agustincordes/asylum-kickstart-the-horror/)
By the way, one of those increasingly rare people appears to have a kickstarter campaign that is beginning to stagnate at 89% and nearly 600 discount $15 full game rewards at Asylum. This fellow put ALL the good stuff as a CORE part of his campaign with only 8 days left. What do you say Linux lovers? If you haven't gone to lend a hand, please do so. At $15 you can give the game to a friend who logs to get scared. Even at $5 you'll help get a game whose core (The Dagon game engine) is open source and promised to Linux from the very beginning. It will take a relative small amount of money (11k) to guarantee funding. IF you agree that Linux offerings should be a core, and not a stretch goal, let's put our money where our mouth is (if you have the budget for it of course). You can help make another quality game for Linux happen here:
[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/agustincordes/asylum-kickstart-the-horror/](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/agustincordes/asylum-kickstart-the-horror/)
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