Latest Comments by kneekoo
Ion Maiden, a new 3D Realms FPS has launched in Early Access with Linux support
3 Mar 2018 at 11:02 pm UTC
3 Mar 2018 at 11:02 pm UTC
Here's why I think DN3D:R was considerably more work than creating a new game on an old engine:
1. The graphics and effects must be modern, but the players need to feel like it's the old stuff brought up in higher definition. While this is easier for static art, it becomes difficult with in-game characters, which have to resemble their old counterparts. For instance, I dislike almost all the 3D models (monsters) in the Duke 3D High Resolution Pack [External Link]. They just don't feel right to me. I might be a lot more picky than most people, but I'm sure there are others who would've liked better models.
2. DN3D:R didn't aim strictly at pumping up the graphics on the original game, but also bring something new to the table. With Duke Nukem Forever out of the picture for so long and high expectations from the gamers, it's a tough job already to make the game believable with completely revamped art. And then you have to please the masses with everything new you bring to the table, so they don't get upset for ruining their beloved game. Sure it was a fan-made remake, but some gamers can be quite brutal if they don't like what they get.
3. DN3D:R is also about movement - as a 3D shooter. That engine must've been carefully configured to reflect the way Duke moved in the Build environment. I suspect it's not easy to make Duke move exactly the same, but I think they tried to replicate the physics as much as possible, because that's part of the experience that the fans expect to feel right.
Now about Ion Mainden, I won't say it's easy to make - just easier than. It requires time, patience, talent, skill, just like other games. But the good thing is:
1. It's new, so there's no need to conform to hard expectations (textures, models, effects, movement) other than to make it fun.
2. With a retro engine, the textures and models don't need to be pixel-perfect and the gamers are also less demanding by comparing this game with a modern one.
Now what requires a lot of work and it's quite hard as well, is the creative part - designing levels, textures, sprites and a good difficulty balance. But again, the good thing is none of this has to be like any other game. And the number of developers and designers knowing Build doesn't matter considering 3D Realms has enough of them in the know. :D
I don't have first hand experience with any of their work, so it's a lot of speculation here. But it's still educated speculation. And I miss DN3D:R and I will Forever (pun intended) hold a grudge on Gearbox if they don't grow a pair and work together with 3D Realms on Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded.
1. The graphics and effects must be modern, but the players need to feel like it's the old stuff brought up in higher definition. While this is easier for static art, it becomes difficult with in-game characters, which have to resemble their old counterparts. For instance, I dislike almost all the 3D models (monsters) in the Duke 3D High Resolution Pack [External Link]. They just don't feel right to me. I might be a lot more picky than most people, but I'm sure there are others who would've liked better models.
2. DN3D:R didn't aim strictly at pumping up the graphics on the original game, but also bring something new to the table. With Duke Nukem Forever out of the picture for so long and high expectations from the gamers, it's a tough job already to make the game believable with completely revamped art. And then you have to please the masses with everything new you bring to the table, so they don't get upset for ruining their beloved game. Sure it was a fan-made remake, but some gamers can be quite brutal if they don't like what they get.
3. DN3D:R is also about movement - as a 3D shooter. That engine must've been carefully configured to reflect the way Duke moved in the Build environment. I suspect it's not easy to make Duke move exactly the same, but I think they tried to replicate the physics as much as possible, because that's part of the experience that the fans expect to feel right.
Now about Ion Mainden, I won't say it's easy to make - just easier than. It requires time, patience, talent, skill, just like other games. But the good thing is:
1. It's new, so there's no need to conform to hard expectations (textures, models, effects, movement) other than to make it fun.
2. With a retro engine, the textures and models don't need to be pixel-perfect and the gamers are also less demanding by comparing this game with a modern one.
Now what requires a lot of work and it's quite hard as well, is the creative part - designing levels, textures, sprites and a good difficulty balance. But again, the good thing is none of this has to be like any other game. And the number of developers and designers knowing Build doesn't matter considering 3D Realms has enough of them in the know. :D
I don't have first hand experience with any of their work, so it's a lot of speculation here. But it's still educated speculation. And I miss DN3D:R and I will Forever (pun intended) hold a grudge on Gearbox if they don't grow a pair and work together with 3D Realms on Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded.
Ion Maiden, a new 3D Realms FPS has launched in Early Access with Linux support
3 Mar 2018 at 8:30 pm UTC
3 Mar 2018 at 8:30 pm UTC
Rebuilding an old game on a new engine takes a lot more effort than the other way around. You need great textures and great visual effects to begin with, because that's the first thing people see. But then there's the need for accuracy in terms of maps and gameplay, which are essential for remakes and "reloaded" stuff. If it doesn't have the proper identity, it's a failure. So a new game on any engine seems a lot easier by comparison.
But I don't see any of these games as cash grabs. From what I've seen on both games that we're talking about here, it's easy to see there was a lot of work involved and I appreciate that. I just mentioned DN3D:R here because it's Frederik Schreiber's gang involved in both projects. Gearbox deserves the mighty foot for killing DN3D:R.
But I don't see any of these games as cash grabs. From what I've seen on both games that we're talking about here, it's easy to see there was a lot of work involved and I appreciate that. I just mentioned DN3D:R here because it's Frederik Schreiber's gang involved in both projects. Gearbox deserves the mighty foot for killing DN3D:R.
Ion Maiden, a new 3D Realms FPS has launched in Early Access with Linux support
3 Mar 2018 at 7:49 pm UTC
3 Mar 2018 at 7:49 pm UTC
I feel guilty to point this out here, especially with Duke in another camp, but what I really want is Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded. Frederik Schreiber did a good job at promoting it and I feel like Gearbox only deserves redemption if they will allow that title to come out as originally planned.
Ion Maiden? Cool name, interesting gameplay, good old retro feeling, but buying it? Maybe later. I don't like Early Crapcess, nor can I understand how someone can advertise Linux support but fails to package the game accordingly. I wish them good luck, and I hope the game will be great.
Ion Maiden? Cool name, interesting gameplay, good old retro feeling, but buying it? Maybe later. I don't like Early Crapcess, nor can I understand how someone can advertise Linux support but fails to package the game accordingly. I wish them good luck, and I hope the game will be great.
Reminder: Update your PC info for the next round of statistics updates
25 Jul 2017 at 4:28 pm UTC
25 Jul 2017 at 4:28 pm UTC
Info updated. Confirmed, actually. :) Nothing changed.
Beyond Enemy Lines, a single-player tactical FPS looks like it's heading to Linux (updated)
9 Jul 2017 at 5:49 pm UTC Likes: 2
Good luck, and thanks for considering GNU/Linux as a target! :)
9 Jul 2017 at 5:49 pm UTC Likes: 2
Quoting: PolygonArtThe BigFry Youtube review can be considered failed review.That review seemed harsh for no specific reason. Other than the sound settings bug, I didn't understand the negative review. That bug is not something worth losing your marbles over. The price of the game is indeed debatable, but still subjective. In the end, if the game is stable and fun, it's worth the time and money for whoever appreciates this kind of game.
Good luck, and thanks for considering GNU/Linux as a target! :)
The Witcher 3 didn't come to Linux likely as a result of the user-backlash from The Witcher 2
8 Jul 2017 at 8:55 pm UTC
8 Jul 2017 at 8:55 pm UTC
Sure, some games are worse, but the gaming industry is probably the crappiest and the most irresponsible.
Is it bad? Well, as you said, label it BETA and even if you make it available to everyone for testing, at least you can say it's not the finished product. But when so many companies release games labeled as "final", that's a recipe for hatred for people who pre-ordered or bought the games soon after they were released.
It's much easier to understand overwhelmed servers that can't handle the flood of players in the first days after a release (like Diablo 3), and much harder to understand unplayable games.
Is it bad? Well, as you said, label it BETA and even if you make it available to everyone for testing, at least you can say it's not the finished product. But when so many companies release games labeled as "final", that's a recipe for hatred for people who pre-ordered or bought the games soon after they were released.
It's much easier to understand overwhelmed servers that can't handle the flood of players in the first days after a release (like Diablo 3), and much harder to understand unplayable games.
The Witcher 3 didn't come to Linux likely as a result of the user-backlash from The Witcher 2
8 Jul 2017 at 2:07 pm UTC Likes: 1
It boils down to this: if it's not ready, don't ship it. If you can't make it happen, don't make empty promises. Be responsible.
Now taking the idealist hat off, there should still be some mutual understanding between the developers/publishers and the consumers. Bugs are not the end of the world. But it's always the developers' hands that can save a game from an initial failure. And the best way to prevent failure is to test responsibly. Is the project too big to test with in-house people? Then do alpha/beta testing with a limited number of players who are willing to spend some time exposing themselves to a zoo full of bugs of all shapes and sizes.
Frankly, I dislike their attitude. Had they released a good game in the first place, this article wouldn't be here. There's nothing we can do about haters, except for avoiding to trigger them. But then they should also respect the customers who buy their games and suck it up until a fix comes. And not all the games get their happy ending, so people get more and more angry when games keep being released in a buggy state on day 1.
8 Jul 2017 at 2:07 pm UTC Likes: 1
Quoting: liamdaweNote: I personally spoke to this developer about publishing this with their approval, in the hopes that it might get a few people to re-think their initial attitude towards problems in games.I think they should reconsider their release policies. Blaming the angry mob for getting angry for spending money for a buggy game... it's rather cheeky - professionally speaking. Sure there are trolls and nasty people out there - they're everywhere, especially in the Windows gaming ecosystem, where most of the action is going on.
It boils down to this: if it's not ready, don't ship it. If you can't make it happen, don't make empty promises. Be responsible.
Now taking the idealist hat off, there should still be some mutual understanding between the developers/publishers and the consumers. Bugs are not the end of the world. But it's always the developers' hands that can save a game from an initial failure. And the best way to prevent failure is to test responsibly. Is the project too big to test with in-house people? Then do alpha/beta testing with a limited number of players who are willing to spend some time exposing themselves to a zoo full of bugs of all shapes and sizes.
Frankly, I dislike their attitude. Had they released a good game in the first place, this article wouldn't be here. There's nothing we can do about haters, except for avoiding to trigger them. But then they should also respect the customers who buy their games and suck it up until a fix comes. And not all the games get their happy ending, so people get more and more angry when games keep being released in a buggy state on day 1.
GamingOnLinux is turning 8 years old soon, here’s what we have planned and some thoughts on 2017
3 Jul 2017 at 7:51 am UTC
3 Jul 2017 at 7:51 am UTC
Happy Birthday, GOL! :D Thanks for everything and many playful years ahead! ^_^
Reminder: Update your PC info for the next round of statistics updates
25 Jun 2017 at 8:14 pm UTC
25 Jun 2017 at 8:14 pm UTC
Updated. o/
Machinarium updated to remove Flash, new Linux build is planned too
25 Jun 2017 at 6:47 pm UTC
25 Jun 2017 at 6:47 pm UTC
That's interesting news. I have it, I finished it, I loved it, I have other Amanita Design games and I hope they will also make Samorost 3 work under GNU/Linux. I really wanted to play the game and having the other games working just fine with Linux Mint I thought Samorost 3 would also work, but they didn't support GNU/Linux and I didn't buy it.
Now back to Machinarium, someone asked about the GOG release (which I have), and they replied:
Now back to Machinarium, someone asked about the GOG release (which I have), and they replied:
Lukas [developer] 22 Jun @ 10:57pmI might play it again once they finish the GNU/Linux port. :) I wonder if they'll use the same engine for the GNU/Linux build of Samorost 3. Hopefully it will be possible. I'd really like to have that game as well.
we will soon start updating the game on other outlets, please stay tuned to our facebook/twitter!