Getting GOG.com to support Linux

shmerl, a user on GOG, posted [URL='http://www.gog.com/en/forum/general/linux_support_on_gog/page1']this thread[/URL] in response to me posting a link to [URL='http://www.gamingonlinux.com/index.php?threads/getting-gog-com-to-support-linux.899']this piece[/URL] on the page that [URL='http://www.gog.com/en/wishlist/site/add_linux_versions_of_games']the request for adding Linux games to GOG[/URL] is on. GOG responded...

Sounds like no Linux support on GOG (despite that funny image "Linux support by 2012") ?? Btw, I have no idea how to get Steel Storm to GOG. Does anyone have contacts at GOG ? (yes, I am looking at you Mr. Banana ;) )

Have you tried their proper business mail? http://www.gog.com/en/support/contact/business

That page specifically states it's used for people wanting to sell their games on it, contact them there.

Sure, and I contacted them quite a few times. Having someone, who knows GOG guys, to ping them about SS:BR from Kot in Action would probably either get things going or get an idea why they never responded. It's all about who you know.

Try pinging TheEnigmaticT on their forums, he usually knows what to do. Although I'd say just bother them again via [URL='http://www.gog.com/en/support/contact/business']this link[/URL]. I'd start with the second. They've been taking 3 games on weekly lately, so they might get it out quicker (no more than one indie at a time though).

Quoting: "motorsep, post: 4649, member: 154"Sounds like no Linux support on GOG (despite that funny image "Linux support by 2012") ??

Yea, I find this to be most unfortunate. Considering how there are meant to be millions of Linux users, garnering thousands of additional votes shouldn't be too much to ask for, right? :( I hope that this mindset that GOG currently has can be changed in the near future. Relying on Valve to change GOG's mind will likely take too much time. Perhaps when enough gamers complain about buying a game and not getting all of its versions (Linux, Mac OS, and Windows), then GOG will change its mind?

There's a thread where a GOG team member said many of the bs (hard to support), but also that it's because the deals do not cover distributing on Linux which could cause some problems for them.

It's silly since a good 5% of the forums are Linux users there, seeking and providing help with the games, with a good set of lists (one was lost though a couple of months back, server-side accident they said - it was the most upvoted list quite funnily, before the new request system). I'd say a fine part of their community already consists of Linux users, and by supporting Linux they could gain what, at most twice that. I don't think it's worth it for them. Many already provide the support for the games unofficially, and that pretty much covers it. People will buy the old games either way. I'd love a nice package (whether a .tar, a .deb or an .rpm doesn't matter, since they're all easy to make), but they've stated their attitude (too hard to test at the moment and something about how those things quickly change and what not - I guess for a company that hasn't started with Linux yet it's a good reason, since they do not really know much. Especially since they apparently do not have many Linux enthusiasts on their team).

I'd say it all boils down to one thing though - contracts. Can't get around them, and who knows what some companies might do.

Quoting: "Anon, post: 4655"There's a thread where a GOG team member said many of the bs (hard to support), but also that it's because the deals do not cover distributing on Linux which could cause some problems for them.

It's silly since a good 5% of the forums are Linux users there, seeking and providing help with the games, with a good set of lists (one was lost though a couple of months back, server-side accident they said - it was the most upvoted list quite funnily, before the new request system). I'd say a fine part of their community already consists of Linux users, and by supporting Linux they could gain what, at most twice that. I don't think it's worth it for them. Many already provide the support for the games unofficially, and that pretty much covers it. People will buy the old games either way. I'd love a nice package (whether a .tar, a .deb or an .rpm doesn't matter, since they're all easy to make), but they've stated their attitude (too hard to test at the moment and something about how those things quickly change and what not - I guess for a company that hasn't started with Linux yet it's a good reason, since they do not really know much. Especially since they apparently do not have many Linux enthusiasts on their team).

I'd say it all boils down to one thing though - contracts. Can't get around them, and who knows what some companies might do.

I find that so incredibly unfortunate. How will GOG justify not being able to offer the Linux and Mac OS versions that many indie games come with these days? With the increased interest in Kickstarter and the Humble Bundle, does it make much sense? Even Steam is coming over now.

Contracts can be re-worked and new agreements can be made. The only thing is, they need a good reason to start on that. Desura has a couple of the games they have for Linux (via dosbox), so it obviously is possible - one could point them to this as proof that not much work is required. But if they're afraid of running into problems with their partners, they're going to need to be persuaded that this is indeed worth it.

But I honestly do no think they're going to even think about it properly until Steam either fails or succeeds.

Quoting: "Anon, post: 4660"Contracts can be re-worked and new agreements can be made. The only thing is, they need a good reason to start on that. Desura has a couple of the games they have for Linux (via dosbox), so it obviously is possible - one could point them to this as proof that not much work is required. But if they're afraid of running into problems with their partners, they're going to need to be persuaded that this is indeed worth it.

But I honestly do no think they're going to even think about it properly until Steam either fails or succeeds.

Well, as you seem far more fluent in the art of persuasion with regard to Linux, why not head over to GOG and do some talking there? My technical knowledge is too limited on this matter in my humble opinion.