After the Ubuntu 18.04 LTS release we had extensive threads on the ubuntu-devel list and also consulted Valve in detail on the topic.

I don't see how this statement could be true, and yet shortly after Canonical's announcement a representative from Valve stated that they would be seeking a new Linux distribution.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

I was going to say something about Jeff Minter regarding Eugatron, but I keep forgetting Robotron:2048 isn't a Llamasoft game. He made Llamatron, but either one is definitely his style with splashy graphics and frantic action. But then I noticed that one of the developers of Robotron is Eugene Jarvis, so the name seems like a nod to him.

Further, Tripple Eh? is one guy I think, Gareth Noyce, whose previous work include Polybius, which is a Jeff Minter production. Kind of interesting connections, I think.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: Purple Library Guy

Quoting: GuestI tried blocking the visual novel tag on Steam, must I now try this on GOL? :|
Other than GOG being Linux hostile, visual novels are absolute shite. Hope they paid enough to make the shame bearable.

So, uh, apropos of nothing, your handle's "hateball" huh?

Just remove the 'b'.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

If games stutter during the first launch due to compiling shaders, why don't game developers compile the shaders during loading? I remember playing some games that did just that. Now, if they're just providing a service to download the existing shaders for your hardware and save the time from compiling, then I can understand that is a good thing, but even so if the shaders don't exist I still think the game shouldn't stutter.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Love the puns, hate the croaking.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: tuubi

traditional roguelikes like “The Binding of Isaac,”

I love how everyone has their own definition.

As opposed to traditional roguelikes like "Rogue."

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: gradyvuckovic

Quoting: timgarbosDeveloper here. Totally get your concerns, but we are not trying to keep anything secret. Of course, we care about our backers and that's why we tell them the news before the general public. The news will be more public and is already publicly being discussed on our Discord.

Anyways, thanks for keeping up to date. I'll let you know once we have Linux news.

I think you should be careful with what you're doing. If these keys you're talking about giving backers allows them to play the game, which has NEVER been available for pre order or sale on Steam, and which won't be available for sale at any time in the near future, you are possibly breaking Valve's rules.

Steamworks page regarding keys [External Link]

Note these relevant parts:

Valve provides the same free bandwidth and services to customers activating a Steam key that it provides to customers buying a license on Steam. We ask you to treat Steam customers no worse than customers buying Steam keys outside of Steam.

Types of Keys
Keys can be associated with the following package types:

Standard
This is the most common type of key on Steam, which is usually tied to a store or Steam Key package. These keys are appropriate for retail boxes or sales on other sites. These keys will unlock the product once it has been released and marked as playable on Steam.
Release Override
These keys are used to grant access to a product prior to its release on Steam. Release Override keys are intended for small beta tests and press/influencer access. We will look at each request on a case by case basis, and in general less than 1000 keys work well for this purpose. It is never OK to sell release-override beta keys.

You should use keys to sell your game on other stores in a similar way to how you sell your game on Steam. It is important that you don't give Steam customers a worse deal.

We reserve the right to deny requests for keys or revoke key requesting privileges for partners that are abusing them or disadvantaging Steam customers.

If we detect that you have requested an extreme number of keys and you aren't offering Steam customers a good value, we may deny your request.

We reserve the right to remove key requesting privileges from any partner whose sole business is selling Steam keys and not providing value or a fair deal to Steam customers.

Crowdfunding.
Keys can be used to fulfill crowdfunding rewards and grant backers access to your product. Providing backers with beta testing keys prior to release is also OK, but only backers should receive those keys --they shouldn’t be sold outside of the crowdfunding campaign unless your beta is also available for sale via Steam.

Steam keys can only be promoted as a reward for products that have already confirmed Steam distribution --

I would say WTG is at bare minimum, skirting close to the boundaries of the rules, and possibly breaking them, if you offer Steam keys to backers to play the game a year early without offering the same option to Steam customers to buy the game.

It would be prudent to contact Valve and confirm that what you're doing is not breaking the rules, unless you want to risk having your key generating privileges revoked.. Food for thought.

This is great info, and illustrates some things people should keep in mind when comparing Steam and EGS. I have read an article that estimates that Steam's cut of game sales averages less than 30% because they do not make any money off of keys sold or otherwise obtained outside of their store, so The 30% vs. 12% comparison is not entirely accurate. I think Steam's average cut was closer to 20%.

Secondly, as the quoted lines above hint at, Steam provides other services. Where are buyers of this game going to post reviews? Where are buyers of this game going to be submitting bug reports? It sure doesn't seem fair that these guys will be making use of Valve's infrastructure without paying a dime for it (yet).

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Watch out, or you may be covered in the grapes of wrath.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

They're late.

View this comment - View article - View full comments

Quoting: tonRProbably I have to break my 'no tux no bux' policy..

But Destiny 2 is going free-to-play. So, technically you're still adhering to the "no bux" policy.

View this comment - View article - View full comments