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Latest Comments by tuubi
First Steps with OpenVR and the Vive on Linux
18 May 2016 at 1:31 pm UTC

Quoting: BillNyeTheBlackGuyVR is the future, whether you like it or not.
So I hear, but what does that even mean? Please elaborate.

VR is clearly only useful for a subset of (real-time) 3D games and an even smaller subset of non-entertainment software. For other uses it's not the best tool for the job, now matter how cheap or lightweight the hardware becomes. Just like mobile touch-screen interfaces won't displace dedicated input devices and large screens for serious work, even if a persistent mob of hipsters have been declaring traditional computing extinct since the launch of the first iPad.

First Steps with OpenVR and the Vive on Linux
18 May 2016 at 8:16 am UTC

Quoting: slaapliedjeThis kind of reminds me of when 3Dfx cards were first coming out. 3D acceleration used to be laughed off as a niche, and that no one would support it, and initially there were so many different APIs for it, and you only hoped that you had ended up with a card that most games would support.
I don't remember anyone saying 3D acceleration was a niche, even if not everyone thought 3D games were their thing. It was all about making those pretty, textured 3D games run at acceptable speeds back when unaccelerated software implementations couldn't do much better than the pseudo-3D of Doom.

VR isn't about enhancement or acceleration, but about a different way to interact with and experience games (and software, the 3D painting stuff seems cool). And it's entirely about making games more immersive. I've found that people generally split into two camps on that issue. Personally I've never thought games need to be more immersive to be more enjoyable. Maybe it's a personality thing?

Quoting: BeamboomEver since I tried the first edition of the Rift there was no doubt for me: this is a vagon I'll jump on for sure.
Meh. I'll skip the wagons and wait until they come up with a comfortable and affordable rail service.

The open source Mesa driver for Intel graphics finally reaches OpenGL 4
17 May 2016 at 7:58 am UTC Likes: 1

Quoting: cRaZy-bisCuiTGood to know! Still only Intel Iris Pro will benefit from this featues: Any OpenGL >=4.x will need a lot of performance.
Not quite. Some of the added API and extensions in OpenGL 4 are actually about optimization and lower level hardware access. These features do require compatible (modern) hardware, but not high-end stuff.

Of course it is true that newer API versions tend to be used in newer and more demanding software, and also coders who can properly optimize modern OpenGL code are few and far between, both factors contributing to the common misconception of new API being being more demanding than old.

Sunday chat: what games have kept you busy with week?
15 May 2016 at 12:47 pm UTC

Quoting: wojtek88I always enjoy mrdeathjr videos, no reason to remove them from my point of view.
Links should suffice. And even those should be limited to native Linux games unless the thread is about wine or emulation. Just my opinion of course.

Sickhead Games​ working with Chucklefish to port Stardew Valley to Linux
14 May 2016 at 7:58 am UTC

Quoting: nullzeroIf a studio like Sickhead that is specialized in monogame ports to consoles, also gets experience in Linux/mac porting too, then it would have a full porting ability and that would be bad for specialized one man porters like Ethan. :(
I'm inclined to think that every game developer/porter with Linux skills is a win for us as Linux gamers. Being "self-employed" (as Americans like to put it) I can sympathize with Ethan, but we can't expect him and Aaron Melcher, Ryan C. Gordon, Aspyr and Feral to handle all of the ports and all of Linux game development forever.

Sunday chat: What have you been playing, and what do you think?
9 May 2016 at 7:24 am UTC

I haven't really had much time for games, but I did manage to play through Human Resource Machine and get most of the optional optimization goals as well. I'll have to take a break before doing the rest as I started dreaming of code and solutions, and waking up I feel like I've been working instead of sleeping. :dizzy: Happened to me with TIS-100 as well...

HRM is definitely easier than the Zachtronics stuff even if the tablet-optimized interface fights you a bit and the "story" turned out to be more like just a bit of context. It can literally be told in a sentence or two. These niggles notwithstanding, it's an excellent puzzler.

Changes to our Survey are coming, hopefully to make it easier and better
8 May 2016 at 7:26 pm UTC Likes: 1

Quoting: rkfgHow about writing a simple bash script that gets most of the related system information automatically and allows the user to copypaste it to the site (just a text area that's parsed automatically would be fine)?
Why reinvent the wheel? Just copy-paste the contents of Steam's System Information dialog. I don't know if this feature would be worth it though. Lots of parser code just to save the user a handful of clicks.

DiRT Showdown Updated For Linux, Should Fix It Up Nicely
7 May 2016 at 10:52 am UTC

Quoting: JHi

has anyone managed to multiplayer this online? did you need racenet (or whatever its called)?

thx
I played a couple of team races with my wife's nephew and it all worked just fine, aside from his crashy and underpowered Windows laptop that is. No racenet needed. Didn't look into other online game modes though.

Human Resource Machine from World of Goo creators now on Linux & SteamOS
4 May 2016 at 7:50 pm UTC

In case someone missed it, HRM is currently available for an unbeatable price (as in pay what you want) in the Humble Eye Candy Bundle. And unless you're allergic to fun and/or puzzles, you need to buy this game. I spent a big chunk of my working hours today playing this programming puzzler instead of actually programming.

First chapter of Bolt Riley, A Reggae Adventure released DRM free and on Steam
2 May 2016 at 1:02 pm UTC

Quoting: EikeEverbody interested in the topic needs to play Journey Down if he hasn't yet done so!
Everebody interested in adventure games needs to play Journey Down. :) Can't wait for Chapter 3.