Latest Comments

Quoting: jplatte@N30N: Are you using an open-source driver though? So far I've not heard from a single person that it works with mesa in their setup. It seems to only function with the proprietary nvidia or amd drivers (and I think with newer amd cards even that won't work because the new driver also uses mesa, but I might be wrong about that).

No & I'm sorry say I've not the hardware at hand to test.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

I wish I could play oblivion without crashes. Havent been able to find a solution.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: Sir_DiealotThis year is the year of the Linux Desktop, next year is the year of Stardew Valley multiplayer.

Pretty sure the `Year of the Linux Desktop` has already come. For most of us it was the Year in which we switched to Linux full-time.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: manus76

Quoting: Bergerac

Quoting: manus76And with a quote from Adam Smith we might summarise the whole discussion about Apple: '...that I have fresh bread and rolls every morning is not because of the baker's goodwill, it's because of his greed' (or something to that effect, quoted from a failing memory).
I suggest we leave it at that and do not open this usual can of worms, it might turn too political and heated.

That's fine in a competitive market where there are many bakers, but should one baker have a monopoly on the supply of wheat... your bread will most probably be stale, and most --certainly-- a lot more expensive.

And aren't there companies competing with Apple on basically all fronts? Samsung? Microsoft? Google?

I know that Apple have been discussed somewhat in previous comments, but my statement wasn't specifically referring to them and their situation in the market right now, rather I was addressing the Adam Smith quote and the danger of monopoly formation. It's a mistake to say that good products exist because of greed, sure greed may play a part in providing an incentive but competition is essential. Greed without competition hurts the consumer. Companies such as Apple who engage in anti-competitive practice are right to be criticised, though I think the situation with Microsoft is far worse simply because it is very difficult to buy most laptops without Windows pre-installed, and on some cheaper laptops it is very difficult to remove Windows 10.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

I've played quite a bit of this game with my wife, though less now that there's seemingly no major story content left for us to see. We've often talked about how nice it would be if one of us could take care of the farm while the other goes spelunking or something. That would make a lot of sense. But we would also want to play locally in split screen, and that doesn't seem to be in the plans...

All in all doesn't seem like this'll provide a reason for us to continue the game. We need to find something else to play together. Maybe Slime Rancher for more semi-casual farming? :)

View this comment - View article - View full comments

I don't get why there's such a huge demographic that demands multiplayer in games like this which are clearly supposed to be a single player experience, but then again, I'm an antisocial hermit who hates humans.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

There seems to be a bit of confusion between a) support Linux ideals and b) what's best for Linux.

Regarding ideals, I suppose my store choice would be as follows:
a) Itch.io
b) Humble
c) GOG
d) Steam

While regarding what's best for Linux, I'd argue:
a) Steam
b) Whatever, doesn't matter.

This is because, obviously, market share. Developers use this to determine whether they can be bothered to release their game on our platform. I'd like to be idealistic, but I'm going to save any such notion until we are more than a rounding error on Windows sales. More than, say, 10%, maybe. Then I'll think about spouting my ideals.

Until then, I'll buy on the sales platform that gives developers the greatest incentive to support my freedom-loving platform. Anything else, at this point, is just counter-intuitive to Linux support.

To me, anyway. By all means, prioritise your sales (particularly, if, like Itch.io, it's a Steam-key anyway!), use Wine, whatever. But stop conflating "ideals" with "support". If you support a minor store that doesn't feature in development decisions, you're actively hurting Linux as a platform. Your ideals are conflicting with your desire to support Linux.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

QuoteI'm glad you enjoyed the review but, just FYI, I'm way more handsome than Liam so it's not that hard to tell us apart

Lol! Sorry BTRE. Had an heavy week end, did not even checked the writer. Shame on me ^^ Still excellent work and quite a compliment in the end :P

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: KelsThe bike combat scenes were always terrible, almost legendarily so. No surprise they're still frustrating.

I found them funny, even if quirky.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

This patch seems to make the game much better. I played a lot of train fever, but gradually stopped because it lacked too many things. Transport fever is a realy upgrade to it, but it wasn't enough for me to really play it much, but this patch might be what it was lacking.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: Comandante ÑoñardoI have a doubt.
If a game use OpenGL 4.5 and the Specs list of the GPU (GTx 750ti, for example) said OpenGL 4.4 , will the game run anyway or will have performance issues?

For example, in Windows, DX11 games can not run on an old DX10 card.

There are two explanations for that 4.4 in the spec: Either NVIDIA doesn't update the spec every time a new OpenGL version is released (very likely), or the driver might emulate some features in software for the oldest hardware, but it's hard to say how much this would affect performance in the real world. According to NVIDIA's announcement seemingly all of their desktop chips from the 400 series onwards get OpenGL 4.6 support, so I think you're safe.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Definitely watching this one for the Linux release.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

I have a doubt.
If a game use OpenGL 4.5 and the Specs list of the GPU (GTx 750ti, for example) said OpenGL 4.4 , will the game run anyway or will have performance issues?

For example, in Windows, DX11 games can not run on an old DX10 card.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: melkemindThe last step would be to get some first releases or timed exclusives, if you prefer. A company like Valve would have to step up and make that happen. If great games start dropping on Linux first and run better on Linux, PC gamers will switch.

This is a nice dream, but it will not happen with any major game release.

The fact is that development is quite expensive. Even a company like valve which has done a lot to support linux will not drop a linux exclusive, timed or not. After spending a lot of money on development, every big company is going to put it for sale where it gets the most return on their investment. With roughly 90% of the desktop market on windows, that will be their initial target.

While on consoles, some of them do get exclusives despite not being the most popular console, this happens because they have a hardware company behind it paying for the exclusive release. There is no company that has a vested interest in linux to the point that bringing exclusive releases to linux would result in a net gain through hardware sales. (or any other positive investment return.) Sadly, the reverse is true, Microsoft has a vested interest in Windows to the point that if their market share started to erode, it would make financial sense to pay for exclusives to stop any market erosion.

Theoretically, I suppose some type of crowd funding effort could be made to pay for a linux exclusive, however, what would be the real point? IMO, this would just be a waste of money, because 6 months later the dev will port it to the other platforms. It would need to be a constant stream of titles to make a difference, and I doubt the linux community would want to keep paying for this effort, especially considering if it actually made a difference, Microsoft would start doing the same to keep its share and their ability and willingness to spend money in support of their platform far exceeds the linux community.

An indie developer might give a few timed exclusives to linux first, especially with the number of developers that actually use linux. However, being indies, they do not have the reach or the marketing power to make a huge difference.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: TheBardGog was very late to support Linux version of games that already had Linux binaries. Even now lots of games with a Linux version everywhere else still do not have one on Gog.

Not really that much later than Valve though. At least if you compare it with Loki, Humble....
And their packages with a common installer are more Linux-friendly than those of itch.io or Humble, where you often only have a tarfile.

QuoteGog does a lot for DRM free, but far less than other general stores for Linux.

Care to give numbers instead of hot air?

QuoteAnd yes Steam is DRM Full, that's sad. That's why I buy games in priority in Itch.

Indeed, Valve/steem promotes DRM and vendor lock in through using proprietary libraries. All those things that were/are reasons to leave Windows behind. And you say they are Linux-friendly by bringing it back to Linux? Go figure...

QuoteLike I said, you're free to buy whereever you like to. But you can't honestly say that Gog makes efforts to support Linux gaming. They re just doing the bare minimum. Just a simple silly question: how many games did Feral ported in the last 2 years?

If as a Linuxer I use Steam, I could as well use Windows. Not much difference from the freedom point of view. As I wrote I don't care a bit what Feral does, as they are hard-wired to Steam.
They may support Gamers using Linux quite well, but saying what they do does 'support Linux' is as ridiculous as stating Google does a lot for Linux with Android.

QuoteI would LOVE to see Gog support Linux. Gog is on Windows and Mac a great Store. But whereas windows and Mac users, we are only second class citizens on Gog. That's sad, but this is unfortunately true.

Well, I have some 120 games on GOG, and some 240 on Humble. I feel very well served by GOG - definitely a lot better than from Humble when it comes to support, updating games and buying new ones. That's why the Humble number doesn't change much anymore(*), contrary to the GOG one. I do have some games from itch, too. Nothing to complain about - but also nothing in sight that would explain why they 'do so much more for Linux'. For sure I do not feel second-class on GOG.

You don't like GOG - that's fine with me. Don't buy there. Just stop bitching against it with half-baked 'facts'.

(*)I do frankly admit, Humble were the best Linux supporters so far, with their Humble Indie Bundles: They actively approached developers/producers, and drove them to support DRM free + platform independent. That did support gamers and the idea of Linux, and was the kickstart for a train that valve only jumped on once they saw it continued rolling. Not too much left of that nowadays, unfortunately.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: melkemindMost people no longer care what operating system they're using as long as it works well and is easy to use. PC gamers use Windows because it's currently the best option, not because they're necessarily Windows fanboys. To compete, Linux first has to become a more attractive option in terms of performance. That might be difficult with third-party ports of games, but we've seen native games start to really give Windows some competition (like Dota 2).

...

The last step would be to get some first releases or timed exclusives, if you prefer. A company like Valve would have to step up and make that happen. If great games start dropping on Linux first and run better on Linux, PC gamers will switch.

This is exactly what I think. Just like console sellers, we need a couple really big exclusives that are ported elsewhere later but "runs best on Linux."

View this comment - View article - View full comments

I can definitely see an audience for MP. I would surely be one of those people except not at this time. The people I'd play this with (my sister and my step-daughter) just don't play games anymore. When I was young, my sister and I would play games together like split-screen The Sims on PS2 and we'd take turns playing Harvest Moon and watch each other. But now we're adults... so I have to wait for my kids to get older to play with me. :P

I don't think my friends that do still play games would want to play this one with me... a little too chill maybe. For comparison, we have barely made any progress in Sword Coast Legends and that game at least has combat.

Again, I think the folk that will play Stardew Valley together will really love it. I'm sure I would. But I don't imagine I'll have the right companion for the time being.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Well, the merciful mode is a hack and runs counter to how the game was originally intended to work. If you play merciful or save/load then there is no risk and the game is no fun anymore. It might be okay if you're in just for the story, not sure.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: Whitewolfe80Then you don't know much about large businesses. They see a problem in piracy the board of says we have to do everything we can to protect out IP and profit. Probably more than one board member says invest heavily in DRM so we make it more and more difficult because on even the legit purchases,what are the geeks going to do not buy our game yeah right.

I am of course paraphrasing but conversations like that do happen in most companies that sell pretty much anything, it is all about maximizing profit while spending the least amount to do so. However when it comes to protecting IP they will spend spend spend.

That's not news, I know that DRM proponents use completely invalid reasons for pushing DRM. In fact they usually have nothing to do with piracy.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

The bike combat scenes were always terrible, almost legendarily so. No surprise they're still frustrating.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: Sir_DiealotIn most roguelikes the runs are a lot shorter. You die, you learn, in short iterations. This game has very long iterations, that's the problem.

QuoteMerciful mode which you can trigger in game allows manual saves and including going back if you died.

So merciful mode then ?

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Most people no longer care what operating system they're using as long as it works well and is easy to use. PC gamers use Windows because it's currently the best option, not because they're necessarily Windows fanboys. To compete, Linux first has to become a more attractive option in terms of performance. That might be difficult with third-party ports of games, but we've seen native games start to really give Windows some competition (like Dota 2).

The next step I think would be to make a development suite, some type of nicely packaged gaming development system that allows developers to easily bring games to Linux. If it becomes easier than Windows to make games for Linux, that gives it another advantage.

The last step would be to get some first releases or timed exclusives, if you prefer. A company like Valve would have to step up and make that happen. If great games start dropping on Linux first and run better on Linux, PC gamers will switch.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

60 hours total.

And I am the opposite of you, I don't see the appeal in short roguelikes. For me, the single most important aspect of a game is the story. If I don't love the story, I won't love the game. Hitman was a fun game and one of the most satisfying shooters I have played in a while, but the story was blah so I will likely not buy Season 2. Oxenfree had clunky mechanics and most of the game was either trying awkwardly to walk or scrolling, but the writing was awesome so I will play through every possible ending.

Sunless Sea had gorgeous writing. Possibly the best writing since Planescape: Torment, imo.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: JahimselfThanks Liam for that interesting review. I haven't purchased the game yet. But it convinced me to do so. It's not a problem for me if the story is short, as generally old lucas arts point & clic games take quite some time to be completed. It also seems to be quite different from other Tim Schaffer games. Would be also glad to support Double Fine and Cheeseness for his excellent work on linux for the previous ports and apparently this one too.

I'm glad you enjoyed the review but, just FYI, I'm way more handsome than Liam so it's not that hard to tell us apart :P

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Hopefully multi-player will work across platforms. Since I play on Linux and my wife player on windows. Excited to see what they have in store for next year.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Thanks Liam for that interesting review. I haven't purchased the game yet. But it convinced me to do so. It's not a problem for me if the story is short, as generally old lucas arts point & clic games take quite some time to be completed. It also seems to be quite different from other Tim Schaffer games. Would be also glad to support Double Fine and Cheeseness for his excellent work on linux for the previous ports and apparently this one too.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

@N30N: Are you using an open-source driver though? So far I've not heard from a single person that it works with mesa in their setup. It seems to only function with the proprietary nvidia or amd drivers (and I think with newer amd cards even that won't work because the new driver also uses mesa, but I might be wrong about that).

I've looked into the steam runtime stuff again, but nothing like the issue I'm having is described there. I get the game logo, then a popup that tells me the game segfaulted. Console says

TApplication.HandleException Access violation
Stack trace:
$CA8A1E59

Nothing about libGL, and no other game I've been playing recently has trouble running in the steam runtime.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

The action sequences haven't really aged poorly. They were simply never very good.

Anyway, thanks for this excellent article about an excellent game.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: Shmerl

Quoting: Whitewolfe80Just go to any reddit forum that mentions the words Bethesda and linux. They are not going to remove DRM if anything I forsee companies spending more and more on it.

Then they shouldn't complain about piracy, since they are shooting themselves in the foot.

Then you don't know much about large businesses. They see a problem in piracy the board of says we have to do everything we can to protect out IP and profit. Probably more than one board member says invest heavily in DRM so we make it more and more difficult because on even the legit purchases,what are the geeks going to do not buy our game yeah right.

I am of course paraphrasing but conversations like that do happen in most companies that sell pretty much anything, it is all about maximizing profit while spending the least amount to do so. However when it comes to protecting IP they will spend spend spend.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: GuestThese are Unity bugs you can work around. I made this post, which they then put in their FAQ :p

https://steamcommunity.com/app/650220/discussions/0/1471967529575193564/

The Unity bug is only part of it. I'll add the workaround to the article but my problems went beyond that. Tooltips like when you hover over techs or buildings are messed up and don't show stats or explanations. I was in contact with them around the initial launch and sent them screenshots, so they know what's up.

View this comment - View article - View full comments