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XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By Eike, 13 February 2015 at 7:06 am UTC
Quoting: SkarjakI always upgrade to the latest drivers. Still choppy. Still not choppy on Windows with super old drivers I haven't bothered to upgrade in ages.

Which CPU performance governor are you using?
Changing mine helped for a few games, although dozens of other ran well with the default.
City Builder Game Cities: Skylines Now Has A Release Date
By torham, 13 February 2015 at 3:14 am UTC
So you can buy it from Steam, or you can buy it on Steam direct from the publisher, but either way you are getting Steam. Wish paradox would consider selling Steam free versions of its games.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By Skarjak, 13 February 2015 at 2:52 am UTC
I always upgrade to the latest drivers. Still choppy. Still not choppy on Windows with super old drivers I haven't bothered to upgrade in ages.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By edddeduck_feral, 12 February 2015 at 11:49 pm UTC Likes: 11
Quoting: Skarjak
Quoting: edddeduckferal
Quoting: InterzeroidUnfortunately Linux port need much more resources, than Windows version.

We're fairly similar in performance to the Windows version of the game, I don't think we need "much more resources". We supported a smaller set of newer cards (however many older cards will work if you get the right drivers and setup).

I'd be interested in what your reasoning is, could you email our support with your information?

This is false. In fact, how could you know that your game runs equally well on Linux systems when the listed system requirements for Linux are significantly higher than the ones for Windows?

We tested and officially supported a smaller number of cards as older cards on Linux sometimes don't have as good a support and also we targeted a smaller subset of cards so we could make sure the game was tested fully and optimised. When we tested Windows and Linux performance on the same machines the Linux version was within a similar range to the PC. In most cases the PC was a little quicker to be fair but the Linux version was never slow.

Quoting: SkarjakYou didn't even test with older cards, from what I've heard.

Yes, we mentioned we didn't support older models cards, XCOM for Linux came out after Windows by some time and it was one of the first complex AAA titles on the platform. We wanted to make sure we shipped a stable and good experience so we officially supported a smaller number of cards so we could make sure we could test the support hardware in detail and guarantee performance. Testing all the cards from all the manufacturers (including cards that are no longer manufactured) isn't feasible there are just too many cards and drivers.

Quoting: SkarjakPerformance for those older cards is abysmal. In fact, it was months before the game could work on a GTX 275. The game runs very choppily on my system in Linux, but flawlessly on Windows. Your own steam forums indicated at launch that this was a common experience, so I don't see how this is news to you.

Even though the card was under spec the issue with the GeForce 200 series cards was found and isolated within a week or so of release thanks to help from the community in isolating why some people had problems and others didn't. I have to say the community have been great with helping people out especially with things like unsupported cards or distros. Usually it's some small library that once fixed allows most people to play even on some pretty strange setups. :)

In your case it turns out some older drivers versions have a bug on the 200 series that massively hampers performance. If you upgraded to the latest Nvidia beta drivers the issue went away. I know we had a few people running happily at 60+ fps on 200 series cards. I did some googling and I found a number of examples of people playing smoothly.

"Xubuntu 14.04 x64
Intel i3 Quadcore
6GB RAM
NVidia GTX275

Okay... Back from work and back on the 331.38 driver from the default repos. Everything's fine! It runs absolutely smooth!"

I also found another person mention using the 337.25 drivers run well on Arch64 with a GTX275 (completely smooth @1080p)

We then released an update to help fix a few issues (like V-Sync on some cards) and VPN's (it was our first ever Linux title so we didn't know exactly what customised setups some people ran). Since this patch we haven't had any major issues or problems reported, we had had the odd email from users which we usually can fix (setup issues or drivers usually) but nothing out of the ordinary.

If you have issues I highly recommend you check the forums and your specific setup, I know most people on cards like yours have smooth rock solid experiences even though they are under the officially supported specification, I know with a few setup changes (likely the drivers) you should be playing with similar experience to Windows. I hope you get playing smoothly soon, even though your under spec I'm sad to hear you had issues.

Edwin
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By Skarjak, 12 February 2015 at 9:34 pm UTC
Quoting: edddeduckferal
Quoting: InterzeroidUnfortunately Linux port need much more resources, than Windows version.

We're fairly similar in performance to the Windows version of the game, I don't think we need "much more resources". We supported a smaller set of newer cards (however many older cards will work if you get the right drivers and setup).

I'd be interested in what your reasoning is, could you email our support with your information?

This is false. In fact, how could you know that your game runs equally well on Linux systems when the listed system requirements for Linux are significantly higher than the ones for Windows? You didn't even test with older cards, from what I've heard. Performance for those older cards is abysmal. In fact, it was months before the game could work on a GTX 275. The game runs very choppily on my system in Linux, but flawlessly on Windows. Your own steam forums indicated at launch that this was a common experience, so I don't see how this is news to you.
Review: Forward To The Sky Now On Linux
By Eike, 12 February 2015 at 8:28 pm UTC
There's a demo on Steam for this:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/333250/?snr=1_7_7_230_150_1
But didn't make me wanna buy it...
Nightside, A Fantastic Looking Real Time Strategy May Come To Linux
By Purple Library Guy, 12 February 2015 at 8:17 pm UTC
That looks pretty cool. And yes, I've been kind of wishing for more Starcraft-like games.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By edmondo, 12 February 2015 at 7:58 pm UTC
This is a great port of the game and the game is fun. You should get it.

I'm playing it on an AMD Evergreen card (HD 5850) with the open source driver (r600g), it's very stable and the frame rate is good.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By Beamboom, 12 February 2015 at 7:53 pm UTC
Xcom and Borderlands run so great on Linux that I wish all games were built on Unreal. All of them. I would not mind. Nor do I mind if they all are ported by Feral or Aspyr. Just gtfo and take my money.

But Liam, dude, the action cam adds SO much to the immersion! Can't believe you turn that off! It's what elevates the experience from being just another "chess board" strategy game with a static view, to enable me to dive down there in the grit and see my lil' soldier babes (I got an all-female all-star team that kick serious alien nuts) fight like the heroes they are!
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By FredO, 12 February 2015 at 7:27 pm UTC
Great game, great port, enough said. If you haven't got it already then make sure you do.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By Donkey, 12 February 2015 at 6:15 pm UTC Likes: 1
Great review! It really captures the spirit of the game and the port. The only performance problem I have noticed was when lots of additional rooms have been added to your base and they are all visible during some animations. Luckily its not very often and only effects static events and never any critical moments during the game-play.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By edddeduck_feral, 12 February 2015 at 5:28 pm UTC Likes: 17
Quoting: InterzeroidUnfortunately Linux port need much more resources, than Windows version.

We're fairly similar in performance to the Windows version of the game, I don't think we need "much more resources". We supported a smaller set of newer cards (however many older cards will work if you get the right drivers and setup).

I'd be interested in what your reasoning is, could you email our support with your information?
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By Swanny, 12 February 2015 at 5:28 pm UTC
To disable the Steam Overlay with Alt-Tab; go to the Steam Settings and under the "In-Game" section uncheck the "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game" or alternatively change the shortcut keys. Alt-Tab is then passed to the window manager as normal (at least for me using Enlightenment). It's a bloody annoying default!
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By Liam Dawe, 12 February 2015 at 4:41 pm UTC Likes: 1
Quoting: GuestOne thing to note, and while this game's performance looks great on my system (25 hours of playtime logged), I keep tabs on my various system temp settings and with XCOM: Enemy Unknown running, my CPU quickly cooks up to 65-70°C as all 4 cores max out even though I have CPU-Ondemand (core-throttling) enabled on my system.

I don't have a low-end system, mind you. It's pretty reasonable as a gaming rig:

Linux Mint 17.1 "Rebecca" LTS 64bit MATE w/ 3.13.0-37 Kernel
Intel Core i5-4690 Haswell Quad-Core 3.5Ghz
16GB DDR3 1600 RAM
GeForce 760 GTX 4GB w/ Proprietary Nvidia 346.35 drivers

Great game, just not totally optimized as a Linux-native client.

I have comparable specs to you, slightly lower CPU (Intel i5-4670) and higher graphics (Nvidia 970). Same distribution too.

With that in mind I find pretty much any higher end game on Linux acts this way, so it's not to do with this port. Dota2 does it, interstellar marines does it, and many more.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By whatever, 12 February 2015 at 3:49 pm UTC
I played the original UFO: Enemy Unknown back in the day (one of the many reasons I had low grades at school, lol) and it was miles ahead. It was so good I replayed it many times again during the years.
That being said, this new XCOM is a good game, I played it for at least 50h and I had fun playing. And the Linux version is well made. But then again, it's nothing like the original: if you don't mind low res graphics go play it, maybe the new open source reimplementation OpenXcom.
Nightside, A Fantastic Looking Real Time Strategy May Come To Linux
By badber, 12 February 2015 at 2:50 pm UTC
RTS is a genre that's sadly fairly unpopular these days so it's always nice to see a title in development. After watching SC2 at the professional level the respect I have for it is matched by very few games. The mechanical skills required combined with the complexity at the strategic and tactical levels makes it a really beautiful game.

It's too bad SC2 isn't available for Linux (I guess that rumor about first blizzard title coming to Linux in 2014 is either completely false or the title delayed and I doubt it would be SC2) but at least SC:BW should be quite possible to play.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By edo, 12 February 2015 at 2:37 pm UTC
Quoting: InterzeroidUnfortunately Linux port need much more resources, than Windows version.
Then its a stable port but sadly not well optimized, so probably it's not a great port, just a good port.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By Eike, 12 February 2015 at 2:24 pm UTC
I already had played Enemy Unknown for about 70 hours under Windows, but when it came out for Linux, I spent about the same amount of time with Enemy Within. Didn't even use any mod.

Do get it.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By Interzeroid, 12 February 2015 at 1:18 pm UTC Likes: 1
Unfortunately Linux port need much more resources, than Windows version.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown, With The Enemy Within Expansion Reviewed On Linux
By Teal, 12 February 2015 at 1:07 pm UTC
I think it's very important to mention the the so called XCOM: Long War mod, which massively ramps up the difficulty and depth as well as duration, bringing the game more in line with the original XCOM game.

It's a pretty huge overhaul to the difficulty curve you can expect both from the meta gameplay on the game map as well as the tactical missions, and makes the entire game far more rewarding, even if SERIOUSLY difficult and SERIOUSLY long term deal.

It also brings plenty of new features and options, but choosing correctly and planning diligently is more vital than ever.
First Person Horror Adventure 'Albino Lullaby' Should Come To Linux
By WorMzy, 12 February 2015 at 11:41 am UTC Likes: 1
Looks like another case of a developer not knowing that SteamOS is Linux-based to me.. I don't think that bodes well. :/
Apotheon 2D Action Platformer Fully Released For Linux
By Pit, 12 February 2015 at 11:13 am UTC
It's also in the Humble Store, for €12 (instead of 15 in Steam... :))
Apotheon 2D Action Platformer Fully Released For Linux
By gemini, 12 February 2015 at 8:58 am UTC
Bought it a few days ago, and it´s a really nice game! Runs great (except for one crash) on my GTX770.
Nightside, A Fantastic Looking Real Time Strategy May Come To Linux
By mao_dze_dun, 12 February 2015 at 7:23 am UTC
Looks interesting and different, but I think the art style will be its undoing. RTS is a very conservative genre in terms of looks and gameplay.
Apotheon 2D Action Platformer Fully Released For Linux
By zimplex1, 12 February 2015 at 4:52 am UTC
Quoting: HadBabitsHaving a ball with it so far; though the performance does seem kinda shaky, I keep getting screen tearing and a bit of stutter in some areas. And while I understand all games, even 2D platformers, are getting more demanding, seems a bit strange on my GTX 760 & i7 4770

Did you use a frame counter to see if it was dropping in frames?... Because I thought the same thing for awhile but for me it was just the way running works in the game as the character constantly speeds up and slows down a lot. Other than the lack of a consistent run speed I am enjoying the game personally.
Apotheon 2D Action Platformer Fully Released For Linux
By HadBabits, 12 February 2015 at 3:54 am UTC
Having a ball with it so far; though the performance does seem kinda shaky, I keep getting screen tearing and a bit of stutter in some areas. And while I understand all games, even 2D platformers, are getting more demanding, seems a bit strange on my GTX 760 & i7 4770

That said, the game itself is quite a gem. The combat is responsive and engaging, the visuals are lovely (if not confusing sometimes), and the voice acting is pretty decent. The comparisons to Dark Souls' combat are pretty accurate, but if you want the same challenge I recommend turning up the difficulty, as the regular enemies are pretty doughy :P
Point And Click Adventure Game Cult Classic 'Toonstruck' Now Available On GOG
By oldrocker99, 11 February 2015 at 11:54 pm UTC
I apparently have quite a number of alleys, and this looks like it's right up, uh, one of them :P . One I missed completely in the 90s . Eagerly awaiting more news.
Nightside, A Fantastic Looking Real Time Strategy May Come To Linux
By oldrocker99, 11 February 2015 at 11:49 pm UTC Likes: 1
Oh, hell. I voted for it, and said something on the page somewhat like the below:

If there is any genre of games that there are unrepresented for Linux gamers, it has got to be RTS. We do have Megaglest, 7kaa (HIGHLY recommended, BTW. It's worth buying from GOG just to get the manual, which is pretty extensive and makes one realize that this is one complex game), and Warzone 2100. There's also Spring, of course.

The current RTS champ for any platform is, IMHO, Planetary Annihilation, which keeps getting better and better and better, with a much-improved solo experience, and some vicious multiplayer experience. Thanks to Feral, we also have the (mostly) excellent Empire:Total War, something of a hybrid.

Therefore, any more "classic" RTS games, with resources and base-building, are more than welcome for we non-twitch gamers who still like watching things move around in a strategy game.Oh, hell. I voted for it, and said something on the page somewhat like the below: Nightside does seem to be a little Starcraft-esque. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

This is not to suggest that I don't still love my turn-based strategy games. CIV V, X-COM:EU, Pandora:First Contact (which a number of people consider better than CIV:BE, and which is a lot cheaper), and, of course, Dominions 4 (My own #1 ).
Apotheon 2D Action Platformer Fully Released For Linux
By HadBabits, 11 February 2015 at 11:10 pm UTC
I try to buy from Humble when possible; that way I can get a Steam key and a DRM-free build ^^
Apotheon 2D Action Platformer Fully Released For Linux
By flesk, 11 February 2015 at 10:36 pm UTC
Yeah, GOG uses your browser's user agent to determine which system requirements to display at least. When you browse the site with a browser on Linux you'll only see Linux system requirements by default, while Windows and Mac system requirements are hidden under a collapse. Setting your user agent to something gibberish actually results in no system requirements at all being displayed, so there's no default OS.
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