Latest Comments by Hamish
Jack Keane adventure/comic game now available on Desura
2 May 2013 at 4:01 pm UTC
2 May 2013 at 4:01 pm UTC
I wonder what took so long when it came to getting the game out or private beta.
Regardless, it is still great to see Runesoft's titles popping up on Desura. :)
Regardless, it is still great to see Runesoft's titles popping up on Desura. :)
Linux Gaming DRM Free promises: Do they stack up?
27 Apr 2013 at 6:13 am UTC
27 Apr 2013 at 6:13 am UTC
Quoting: KameNot exactly, you can both use steamworks and still not have DRM. See: Dungeons of Dredmor.There are versions of Dredmor that do not use Steamworks, yes. That does not mean you can use Steamworks and not have that version of the game tied to Steam.
Linux Gaming DRM Free promises: Do they stack up?
26 Apr 2013 at 10:05 pm UTC
26 Apr 2013 at 10:05 pm UTC
Take some advice jlibster - when you are in a hole, try and stop digging. ;)
As someone who has willingly opted out of using Steam, I am surprised to be the first one to mention that it is only games using Steamworks that are tied to the Steam client, which Project: Eternity has already confirmed to use with regards to its Steam version. So if you see a game with achievements support, steamplay, and other such miscellania, it is going to be tied to the Steam client. If it does not boast these features, the game itself is probably DRM free.
As for the whole platform war here, I must admit to Desura being my favourite for most of the reasons s_d described. No games depend on the client for anything other than potentially purchasing and the first download, but even that is rare thanks to the Purchased Downloads feature.
That being said, there are still a few problems I have with it - namely the fact that some games are being sold without proper labelling for their independent DRM (see Majesty) and the fact they willingly sell games that consist of nothing more than Steam keys, which just galls me. And I am not talking about merely having the Steam key as a side option with the main download as is the case with Postal 2, but having it as the only option, such as with Serious Sam 3 (although at least then it was clearly marked).
Gameolith suffers from that last one as well, although it seems more appropriate for them to be doing it somehow. Seems less like an assault on their own dignity.
As someone who has willingly opted out of using Steam, I am surprised to be the first one to mention that it is only games using Steamworks that are tied to the Steam client, which Project: Eternity has already confirmed to use with regards to its Steam version. So if you see a game with achievements support, steamplay, and other such miscellania, it is going to be tied to the Steam client. If it does not boast these features, the game itself is probably DRM free.
As for the whole platform war here, I must admit to Desura being my favourite for most of the reasons s_d described. No games depend on the client for anything other than potentially purchasing and the first download, but even that is rare thanks to the Purchased Downloads feature.
That being said, there are still a few problems I have with it - namely the fact that some games are being sold without proper labelling for their independent DRM (see Majesty) and the fact they willingly sell games that consist of nothing more than Steam keys, which just galls me. And I am not talking about merely having the Steam key as a side option with the main download as is the case with Postal 2, but having it as the only option, such as with Serious Sam 3 (although at least then it was clearly marked).
Gameolith suffers from that last one as well, although it seems more appropriate for them to be doing it somehow. Seems less like an assault on their own dignity.
Word Play Deluxe word search game is released!
22 Apr 2013 at 7:41 pm UTC
22 Apr 2013 at 7:41 pm UTC
Out of curiosity, what is your native language?
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Source Code Released
16 Apr 2013 at 2:30 pm UTC
16 Apr 2013 at 2:30 pm UTC
Quoting: SomberHillAll I know is I've been playing jedi knight jedi academy for the last 9 years, and if there is anything I can do to help know that it is my best interest in playing a steam copy of jedi knight academy for linux.:huh:
Attractio an FPS Puzzle game from GameCoder Studios
15 Apr 2013 at 4:38 pm UTC
15 Apr 2013 at 4:38 pm UTC
Kind of neat. I actually got a Prey/Penumbra vibe off some of it.
The Humble Weekly Sale featuring Tripwire
8 Apr 2013 at 10:09 pm UTC
8 Apr 2013 at 10:09 pm UTC
Quoting: Philip550cKeep on doing it, I dont want to shut you up. I was just hoping that you can see that some of us have given up on the DRM free hope and have instead enjoyed playing the DRM games, I just dont see it as a big deal because at the end of the day its just games.I fully recognize that, but I don't subscribe to that view, so the fact that others have come to that decision does not really affect my own thoughts on the matter that much. I recognize your reasons, I just don't buy them for myself.
Quoting: Philip550cI love reading the things you write about, Im not trying to step on your beliefs and I would probably enjoy you as neighbor or something, this wasnt meant to be a personal attack.The problem here is that you were asserting I was trying to take your freedom's away, which can be seen as a fairly serious charge. Granted, I am alleging that to when it comes to DRM, but there is a difference between picking on an institution and alleging that against a person, at least in my mind. Still, thank you for clarifying.
Quoting: Philip550cI have seen developers on forums say that linux users are only interested in freedom and nothing else, so I am worried that I will never get the desktop OS that I dream about. I see that is your concern as well, just a different dream.The thing you got to remember there is that if the developers really don't want to be here for whatever reason they are not going to stay or even treat us very well when they are here. Your own point about some of the developers involved in some the Humble Bundles not seeming all that interested in being properly cross-platform or DRM free already exemplifies that. I would much rather have developers releasing games for Linux because they want to rather than trying to cater to those who don't. That way these developers will release better Linux games, treat us better, and subsequently be treated better in return.
Quoting: Philip550cSorry to cause such an argument but as far as originality your stance is the main stance in the linux world, so I dont see how its original?Well, we could argue which is the mainstream opinion until we are blue in the face, but as far as I can tell I seem to be standing from the much more marginalized position. And it was the phrasing of your arguments and not necessarily the arguments themselves that I found to be hackneyed, and too similar to a lot of the arguments I have heard against similar stances in the past (which is also part of the reason I took such an exception to them).
Quoting: Philip550cAlso I do family farming as well.Okay, PM me and we can compare experiences. :)
The Humble Weekly Sale featuring Tripwire
8 Apr 2013 at 4:26 pm UTC
8 Apr 2013 at 4:26 pm UTC
Quoting: muntdefemsOn the other hand, flocks of Linux users happily embracing Steam's DRM and thus forcing indie developers to get on that platform (often neglecting other ways of digital distribution) are totally harmless to us DRM-free lovers... :huh:Yes, and that is another reason I love RWS - most of the technical updates to their Steam games are actually going to moved back into the Desura versions at some point, barring things that are specifically tied to Steamworks of course. Awesome people all round. :)
I guess Hamish would be as happy as I'd be if every Linux game were released both with DRM and DRM-free, effectively granting everyone their freedom to choose. But unfortunately this is not the case and the future doesn't bode well in that respect. :(
The Humble Weekly Sale featuring Tripwire
8 Apr 2013 at 4:24 pm UTC
8 Apr 2013 at 4:24 pm UTC
I am sorry, but I am not going to moderate my beliefs or views simply because "companies [don't] like it". Nor am I going to be arrogant enough to assume that people are going to (or even should) take my comments as representing the whole Linux community, or even merely GamingOnLinux for that matter (and I would like to take a moment to thank Liam for allowing me to voice my views as loudly and boisterously as I am, even though I sure as hell know he does not fully agree or follow them). If you are worried about what I am saying, then I am sorry but that is your problem, not mine. My concern is to stay true to myself, my own values, and my own conscience, and by doing that I am not violating or using anyone's freedoms but my own.
And I would hardly say I was "raining on your parade" - I do not go to every Steam related article just to blast it, and only bring up my concerns with it when it is pertinent to the discussion. If I did otherwise, then I would be a troll. But I don't. I do moderate my opinions and fears enough that I do manage to keep a good enough code of behaviour (enough that I do not violate forum rules certainly) but that is about as far as I am willing to go. I am not going to moderate my views because someone may get a bad impression of me. If they take me, one man, to represent the whole Linux community then again, that is their problem, not mine. And Valve is not something I think that is really going to care about what I post. So I do not think you even have to worry.
And about me also being reactionary, certainly I am to an extent. But I like to think I take a bit more time to frame my arguments than that to at least allow them to be somewhat original. Certainly passion rules much of my words, but I do like to think I try and guard myself from them to some extent. What bothers me the most though is that I keep getting nailed to causes which used to be more of the norm but are now a complete struggle to keep going (DRM free gaming, family farming, etc...). I would much rather be a pure activist any day - at least then you are not fighting the decay of something you care about. And that is what I pity about RMS the most - he has been doing that for thirty years.
And I would hardly say I was "raining on your parade" - I do not go to every Steam related article just to blast it, and only bring up my concerns with it when it is pertinent to the discussion. If I did otherwise, then I would be a troll. But I don't. I do moderate my opinions and fears enough that I do manage to keep a good enough code of behaviour (enough that I do not violate forum rules certainly) but that is about as far as I am willing to go. I am not going to moderate my views because someone may get a bad impression of me. If they take me, one man, to represent the whole Linux community then again, that is their problem, not mine. And Valve is not something I think that is really going to care about what I post. So I do not think you even have to worry.
And about me also being reactionary, certainly I am to an extent. But I like to think I take a bit more time to frame my arguments than that to at least allow them to be somewhat original. Certainly passion rules much of my words, but I do like to think I try and guard myself from them to some extent. What bothers me the most though is that I keep getting nailed to causes which used to be more of the norm but are now a complete struggle to keep going (DRM free gaming, family farming, etc...). I would much rather be a pure activist any day - at least then you are not fighting the decay of something you care about. And that is what I pity about RMS the most - he has been doing that for thirty years.
The Humble Weekly Sale featuring Tripwire
8 Apr 2013 at 4:33 am UTC
8 Apr 2013 at 4:33 am UTC
That is quite a rant you got there, but it is hardly original. I have heard it all before. It is just another reactionary response to any kind of criticism.
This notion that I, by my stating of problems that are related to Steam, am somehow threatening your freedom to use Steam is depressingly prevalent. It is almost as if you believe my words are going to suddenly infect your computer and delete all of your DRMed titles out of existence on the wish of my merest whim. Words can never take your freedom away, thoughts can never either - actions can. So unless you see me writing such a piece of malware to take out your Steam accounts, I suggest that you take a step back and realize that there is a difference between criticism and an infringement of your rights. The fact that you try and blur the lines between the two is actually somewhat dangerous.
And again, I am not tackling the subject of free or open source games here. So you can banter on all you like about how SuperTuxKart ruined your life but that will never be pertinent to the argument.
Addressing your Humble Bundle comments, again, you can not simply wash away the fact they stood for more by blindly asserting they never did. Granted, you are indeed correct in saying that a lot of the developers involved honestly could not give a damn about it (which is part of the reasons a lot of the ports were so half-hearted), but the Humble Bundle guys themselves did openly and plainly assert that they were doing this for a wider cause, and indeed did seek support under those grounds. It was about more than just the charity, and it really does get on my nerves when people use charity as a blind for other less defensible actions, like how charity is often used to justify cutting valuable social programs and services (the Niall Ferguson argument, ugh...) or other ad nauseum.
As for what I stand for, I stand for what I have said. I wish to support DRM free gaming, and yes, I am going to do that by pointing out the flaws present in popular DRM systems. If that really bothers you, if that really gets to you, than you really need to examine your own motives, not mine. I stand for DRM free gaming just as much as I stand for native Linux gaming - and you can not silence me for that. After all, standing up for what some consider to be the minority opinion is what you yourself have been doing all of these years.
When you criticized Windows, were you taking people's "freedoms" away? Were you merely "complaining that a company isn't doing things the way you want"? If you have ever promoted an opinion that was counter to someone's else's, were you taking away that person's freedom to express it? No? Then you should not be taking such a huge exception to mine. Unless something I have said has actually really gotten to you and you just don't want to admit it.
(And my apologies to everyone if this sounds a little too combative, but I am really sick of these weak and repetitive arguments. I really have to pity RMS, I really do...)
This notion that I, by my stating of problems that are related to Steam, am somehow threatening your freedom to use Steam is depressingly prevalent. It is almost as if you believe my words are going to suddenly infect your computer and delete all of your DRMed titles out of existence on the wish of my merest whim. Words can never take your freedom away, thoughts can never either - actions can. So unless you see me writing such a piece of malware to take out your Steam accounts, I suggest that you take a step back and realize that there is a difference between criticism and an infringement of your rights. The fact that you try and blur the lines between the two is actually somewhat dangerous.
And again, I am not tackling the subject of free or open source games here. So you can banter on all you like about how SuperTuxKart ruined your life but that will never be pertinent to the argument.
Addressing your Humble Bundle comments, again, you can not simply wash away the fact they stood for more by blindly asserting they never did. Granted, you are indeed correct in saying that a lot of the developers involved honestly could not give a damn about it (which is part of the reasons a lot of the ports were so half-hearted), but the Humble Bundle guys themselves did openly and plainly assert that they were doing this for a wider cause, and indeed did seek support under those grounds. It was about more than just the charity, and it really does get on my nerves when people use charity as a blind for other less defensible actions, like how charity is often used to justify cutting valuable social programs and services (the Niall Ferguson argument, ugh...) or other ad nauseum.
As for what I stand for, I stand for what I have said. I wish to support DRM free gaming, and yes, I am going to do that by pointing out the flaws present in popular DRM systems. If that really bothers you, if that really gets to you, than you really need to examine your own motives, not mine. I stand for DRM free gaming just as much as I stand for native Linux gaming - and you can not silence me for that. After all, standing up for what some consider to be the minority opinion is what you yourself have been doing all of these years.
When you criticized Windows, were you taking people's "freedoms" away? Were you merely "complaining that a company isn't doing things the way you want"? If you have ever promoted an opinion that was counter to someone's else's, were you taking away that person's freedom to express it? No? Then you should not be taking such a huge exception to mine. Unless something I have said has actually really gotten to you and you just don't want to admit it.
(And my apologies to everyone if this sounds a little too combative, but I am really sick of these weak and repetitive arguments. I really have to pity RMS, I really do...)