QuoteWe've done this because it's clear we didn't understand exactly what we were doing.

Hope we won't read similar things when it comes to Linux/SteamOS.

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To me the question is if this update will be available for free or if this comes with pay-again metro-redux-style.

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Quoting: GuestThese barely noticeable improvements aren’t enough to make me play again this terrible game.

Is this a blatant troll attempt? :D

Ok, I bite:

Even if it is not your cup of tea - which is fine - this game is definitely NOT terrible.
Not even by today's standards (which people sometimes claim).

No doubt it is a well-deserved classic.

I loved the Half Life series and still play them from time to time.
And I'd even pay full price for a new episode with the old source engine!
Really, I would! :)

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Quoting: GuestPorting after the fact to any platform not in mind from the start is going to cost far more than designing a game with cross-platform in mind from the start. Everyone should know this by now, and failure to design with cross platform from the start, to me just seems like lack of effort on behalf of the developer. Failure of proper planning is the real cost here.

I guess this is simply how things work now, unless the developer is

a) a die-hard Linux fan.
b) betting on the platform to gain a much higher share (soon).

This is a plain economical decision. Jonathan Blow is not a die-hard Linux fan.
Which is fine. He has way more experience with other platforms.
Most of the big money he earned with Braid was invested into making this game AFAIK.
He needs this to be a success.

Of course - you're focusing on Windows first because that is where the money is.
In this case, if you're not using one of the stock engines - which I think they do for a reason -
having portability in mind is most probably not a high priority.
The absolute money (sometimes people reason with it) behind the 1-3% of Linux share is,
unfortunately, completely irrelevant. 1-3% is still only 1-3%.
You want to get behind the ~85% of Windows users.

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I'd also have an eye on the fantastic HL2 single-player mod Transmissions - Element 120

http://www.moddb.com/mods/transmissions-element-120

They're looking for developers to bring the mod to Linux & Mac.

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Quoting: liamdawe

Quoting: sgtGarciaAt least Jonathan is honest, no false promises - I like this.

Indeed, and that's respectable.

I fully agree!

Also, I do like your objective conclusion.

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Quoting: SamsaiThe question is if SteamOS fails, will the devs accept these rather minimal profits when compared to other platforms.

Exactly.

But I dare to say: no, why should they?

I've read many times that - at least the smaller - developers
don't actually like Linux for different reasons*. They do it because
it is a new business opportunity (or a bet).
Don't think most of them are Linux-lovers like most of us are.
So don't think they do Linux releases for fun. No way!

(*) You know, Windows for work because of the share and Mac for the coolness...
Linux is too cluttered and inconsistent, blahblah. Some even outright said, they hate
the OS but *have* to do it.

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I'm afraid the argumentation that 1-3 % is better than zero is not quite to the point.
Well yes, it's more than zero. But from an economical POV we should be aware
that less developers will release Linux versions if the share is not improving significantly.

Even if you get the Linux binary "for free" because your engine supports that target,
it doesn't mean you won't need to invest into additional support due to platform specific issues.
That's additional money probably not even covered by the Linux sales.

So for now it seems lots of developers are fine with 1-3 % as they might consider it
a test bed for SteamMachines and build up the required know how.
But if - for some reasons - SteamMachines/SteamOS fail, I bet most of those developers
won't still invest into Linux for 1-3 %.

TL;DR

1-3 % seems to be fine for now, as developers might have high hopes in SteamOS/SteamMachines.
If they fail, 1-3 % simply aren't enough to keep the Linux train going (at least for AAA games).

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[quote=AspyrBlair]

Quoting: sub

Quoting: AspyrBlairSorry for being harsh, but stating this much earlier would have been fine for me.
Or did I miss it?

"intel/AMD not supported" could also mean: In principle it would be possible for us
to optimize the port for AMD/intel but compared to NVidia it is just too much work to pay out.
And to be honest, I thought it was exactly this...

I bought many games ported or released to Linux just for the sake
of supporting the developers/porters/platform. However, recently I'm waiting for
tests and user feedback in particular related to AMD systems.
I'm happy to be your customer again if the games work fine with AMD. :)

You havent missed it, and your totally valid for being upset. We've been really quiet about it...and so has AMD. The truth is, we are not driver devs and the issues are beyond our knowledge base (notice the game runs flawlessly on AMD with our OGL code on OSX). We need their help.

All fine, thanks for clarification! :)
That really helps!

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Quoting: AspyrBlair

Quoting: subI don't care what game it is.

As long as they're not fixing that bloody BL2 port to run on a Phenom II + HD 7950 (and similar configs),
I won't buy any other game from them. At least give feedback on the matter. What's stopping you from fixing it? Maybe there is a good reason. But just assuming it's AMD's fault would be cheap.

I'm playing the original windows version which runs fantastic on the same system!

These companies make it difficult to completely switch to Linux.

It's nobody's fault, but the fix will require AMD's help. The ball is in their court now.

The good news? This title will have full GPU support across NVIDIA/AMD/Intel

Thanks for the reply!

Sorry for being harsh, but stating this much earlier would have been fine for me.
Or did I miss it?

"intel/AMD not supported" could also mean: In principle it would be possible for us
to optimize the port for AMD/intel but compared to NVidia it is just too much work to pay out.
And to be honest, I thought it was exactly this...

I bought many games ported or released to Linux just for the sake
of supporting the developers/porters/platform. However, recently I'm waiting for
tests and user feedback in particular related to AMD systems.
I'm happy to be your customer again if the games work fine with AMD. :)

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