Quoting: PikoloThere is a reason the only North Korean OS was Android based - Linux is the easiest place to start.

On the desktop, "Red Star OS [External Link]" has always been based on "traditional" Linux (not Android)... The "mobile" version - based off Android - is a recent thing, from the last year or so.

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I just wish they'd make Cities: Skylines available on GOG.com - I own the game, but I refuse to buy any of the DLC until they release it on GOG.com, then I'll buy all of the DLC (in addition to re-purchasing the game)... It's clearly possible, because Cities: Skylines is available on loads of non-Steam platforms (some people argue they haven't done it yet because of its Steam integration).

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Quoting: PatolaI wishlisted this game to buy at some sales. It seems amazing. But even after reading two dozen reviews, I can't understand why its steam ratings are so low. Is it being review-bombed or something? Can anyone explain that?

I find the game a little confusing, though this is largely because of the context of the game and the fact that things work differently to how they would in a "typical" city-simulator (i.e. on Earth)... Furthermore, Surviving Mars still lacks a "freeplay" mode as found in most other city-simulators (including Cities: Skylines, from the same developer), plus the developers have repeatedly neglected to address a bug disabling mod support in the Linux version (they're aware of this bug, too - it has been extensively discussed in their official forums and some users have even technical filed bug reports).

In their defence, the developers have introduced a tutorial mode in recent updates, but the game still feels a little like a beta... It's not a bad game and I prefer to concept of Mars over a typical city (space nerd here), but those rough edges are a bit of a let-down for me.

I'd still recommend others purchase Surviving Mars, as it's lots of fun... But if you're expecting something to the same standard as Cities: Skylines, you've got unrealistic expectations.

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Just putting it out there, who really cares about whether Arnvidr is using a legal copy of Microsoft Windows 10 or not?

I don't use a Microsoft Windows-based operating system and I don't understand their licensing policies, nor do I care to... But If he/she chooses to steal the world's best example of spyware, then I don't think any of us are going to change his/her mind with what we post here.

Meanwhile, back in the Linux Community, Valve Software is pushing ahead with updates to Steam Play's Proton...

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Quoting: Smoke39The purpose of Proton isn't to drive sales per se, it's to make Linux a more credible threat to Microsoft. If Proton emboldens someone to uninstall Windows, or to just use it less, or to try Linux for the first time, those are all big returns on Valve's investment, even if they never buy another Windows game.

The obvious purpose of Proton is to push Steam Machines and SteamOS... If all (or the majority of) Windows games "just work" under SteamOS, then there's even less reasons for Steam users to be using a Microsoft Windows-based operating system and more reason for them to be using SteamOS - which means more direct control/influence of PC gamers by Valve Software.

Realistically, SteamOS in its current state is a solution suitable only for Linux fanboys... With Proton, well it's potentially something that could compete directly with PCs and every console on the market.

That's an awfully big slice of the gaming pie that any company with half a brain would like a piece of...

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Quoting: Whitewolfe80There could be legit reasons whether its licence or a lack of skills required to port to linux

Yes, but some of these companies have already ported the game to Linux... Just not via GOG.com.

For example, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords is available for Linux via Steam, but only Windows via GOG.com - yet both stores clearly indicate that it is the same companies behind both releases/store entries... In other words, the game (for Linux) is available, it just hasn't been uploaded to GOG.com.

Ask GOG.com and they say "Oh, but we don't have the license for Linux when it comes to <insert title>"... So rather than approaching developers and proactively saying something to the effect of "This game is available for Linux via Steam, why not us?", GOG.com are just throwing their hands up and saying "Not out problem."

Which brings me to my point... GOG.com have the (huge) advantage of DRM-free games, but it's ultimately Valve Software who are the driving force behind Linux gaming; GOG.com are just doing a half-assed attempt at supporting Linux because "it's the cool thing to do."

And it annoys me, because they (GOG.com) want everyone to think they're super pro-Linux, when in reality they just really aren't that interested... But that's a discussion for another day.

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Quoting: GuestNo Feral port, no money. At some point, we need to support those who support us, dude. I love the Tomb Raider reboot games but won't play Shadow without a native port, unless 3 or more years pass and Feral decides not to port it.

This.

They've already ported the first two games, so it's pretty likely they'll port the third game at some point... I don't like the fact that they're (the reboot "Tomb Raider" games) not on GOG.com, but I'll absolutely buy the other two games because Feral look after us, so the least I can do is look after them, by purchasing a full-price copy of the second and third games (with only rare exceptions, I refuse to purchase Linux games at a discount)(unfortunately, I was still-booting when I bought the first game though!).

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Quoting: Whitewolfe80Its not the ease of the port that is the hold up its license fees when cdproject red (gog) do the deal on a game unless the developer wants their game on linux or mac its not coming to linux and mac. Now whether gog push for that is a matter to ask someone over at gog but its not my theory on it, licensing issues has been what gog has said the problem was more than once on twitter.

Yeah, but a lot of the time it is the same company that has a Linux version of a game on Steam, but not on GOG.com... And every time, it's the same argument from GOG.com - "We don't have the licensing rights to distribute the Linux version".

If it was different companies (i.e. <Company 1> selling Linux/macOS/Windows version of <Title 1> on Steam and <Company 2> selling macOS/Windows version of <Title 1> on GOG.com), I can understand completely, but it's frequently the same company... This suggests to me that GOG.com aren't pushing the Linux thing too hard.

I love that GOG.com offer DRM-free titles and I'll always buy a game there first specifically because of this reason (I don't "do" DRM anywhere unless there is a guaranteed way to remove it)... But it's things like this that remind me Valve Software does so much more for the Linux Community than GOG.com ever will.

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Quoting: GustyGhost

Quoting: elmapulthey should add an icon to compatible games...
but i'm not sure if the steamOS icon is the right icon to use.

Tux should be brought back for Linux compatible games while Steamplay icon remains for translation layer games.

That's actually not a bad idea... The "Tux" icon for native Linux titles, and the "SteamOS/Steam Machine icon for titles which "just work" via Steamplay.

I don't see it happening that way, but I think it's a great idea that Valve Software should implement...

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Quoting: lucifertdarkOne day perhaps, right now all problems in games running under Proton are to be directed to Valve & not the developers. The Developers on the whole are hands off at the moment.

Isn't that part of the appeal though - for developers to be hands-off?

I mean, then Valve Software could push SteamOS/Steam Machines and say "most of our catalog runs perfectly", and they wouldn't need to sit there listening to the million excuses developers have for being anti-Linux...

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