Humble Troubles Again, more platform specific bundles

I 1000% agree with you, it upsets me :(

Although obviously disappointed, I guess I'm not as mad as you at them. Mainly for two reasons:

1) This time the Windows-only THQ event doesn't take place at HB's main site but on a separate, secondary compartment. At the time of the infamous THQ Bundle many agreed that something like this would've served as a mitigating circumstance.

2) As for the Android-only bundle, I'm not completely enraged by it since I own an Android phone (even though it can hardly handle any of the bundled games and most probably I'm not gonna get it). What amuses me the most is the name they've chosen: The Humble Mobile Bundle. I however understand they couldn't have named this one as The Humble Bundle for Android 6 since it's clearly a different product than the 5 previous ones.
And not that I care about iOS, but they could at least have made this bundle multiplatform by featuring games available on both mobile platforms (or even for Windows phones also).

I can't say I am particularly bothered by the weekly sale, and neither am I annoyed they're copying someone - Humble has much more leverage and can get bigger titles on board. It's interesting to see however that a mobile only bundle has sparked no outrage, while the THQ one was probably the most discussed bundle to date (perhaps contributing to its success).

What bothers me more is that the THQ weekly sale is all DRM, with at least Steam on all, and GFWL on Guerilla additionally. Furthermore, I might be wrong in this (in which case I apologize), perhaps, but some of the Android games this time also have some intrusive DRM - PVZ requires a constant connection, and I doubt that this version is different from the Google Play version.

I'm disappointed, since the pile of bad decisions (from a Linux users' standpoint) seems to be growing. I will not stop buying their bundles, but I won't be following their other stuff as closely. I'll probably stay addicted to bundles, as it happens.

As to the store, well, they already have a 'Humble Store' widget, via which many developers sell games. I think there's a list of those somewhere but I can't remember where it was. I do hope however, that they bagged a separate domain, on which they could do the non-bundle stuff, so as not to dilute the brand further.

It's interesting to see where this will take them, but I'm not too bothered by them doing more stuff, as long as they keep their integrity and stay away from another THQ like bundle. I would love to see developer bundles again, but from devs that actually care, and there hasn't been a debut in a long time

Furthermore, I might be wrong in this (in which case I apologize), perhaps, but some of the Android games this time also have some intrusive DRM - PVZ requires a constant connection, and I doubt that this version is different from the Google Play version.

I wasn't aware of this. If it's true, then I'll certainly hold this bundle in a lower regard than before.

As to the store, well, they already have a 'Humble Store' widget, via which many developers sell games. I think there's a list of those somewhere but I can't remember where it was.

You're probably thinking of the Humble Store entry at the PCGamingWiki. I regularly check it to see if they have some new titles to offer.

It's all very disappointing, though I can't say I'm totally surprised.

It is fortunate that Valve grabbed the Linux torch before HB dropped it. That is to say, before we have another Loki style death.

Also, lol @ Phoronix reference :P

And not that I care about iOS, but they could at least have made this bundle multiplatform by featuring games available on both mobile platforms (or even for Windows phones also).

I think this might not really be something they are able to do (aside from jailbroken devices) as these platforms are locked so that you can only get apps for them from their official app stores. Or am I wrong?

While I can see your points, At the end of the day it is their business and they can make what choices, good or bad, they want. You of course and any others who feel strongly that their actions are negative may show your disatisfaction  by letting them know your thoughts, refusing to buy their products, or better yet build a competing bundle that holds to your ideals. You build a bundle with linux games that  I don't already own and I will buy it and I imagine many others would too.

Linux gives us diversity, so I assume diversity is a good think. Humble bundle gives us diversity too and they are definitely developing what leads to I guess even more diversity. Also I don't get why care if they are just some greedy businessmen? Just set humble tip to zero and that's it

It seems to me that with the weekly stuff going on, this provided an opportunity for allowing Humble to explore non-cross platform space whilst still always having at least one cross-platform promotion happening at any given time. That the value of this wasn't seen (or wasn't considered high enough) troubles me.

I'd like to say that I don't care about the THQ weekly promotion, but as others have said, not being DRM free certainly feels like it diminishes the Humble brand. One thing I don't see asked enough at the moment is that with THQ defunct, mostly sold off and awaiting auction of its remaining IP next month, where is the money going? Transparency of allocation has always been a (perhaps unintentional?) prominent aspect of Humble Bundle promotions, and I find this business unsettling. Sure, the games are good, but the philosophical aspects of Humble are what resonate with its community, and I've never been comfortable with the notion of expanding at the expense of your existing followers (loyalty really does need to run in both directions).

I find the mobile bundle to be a bit confusing as well (and certainly inappropriately named), though with Popcap involved and Contre Jour championing IE, it feels a bit like cross-platform PC support for all titles would have been difficult to wrangle, and at the end of the day, I'd rather not have games that developers aren't interested in maintaining appear on Linux. We've seen this before, and it doesn't really result in positive outcomes for Linux gamers.

Septikos, it's very important to express opinions and give feedback. Simply setting the tip to zero is not enough. Not buying a bundle also doesn't really help anybody understand why they missed your sale, or how they could have gone about getting it. Whether they choose to take feedback onboard and look after their long term fans is up to them, but at the very least, they deserve to be able to make that choice.

Edit: Also, on the note of "copying" other promotions, I'd say that the industry probably owes Humble a few get-out-of-ripping-somebody-off-free cards.

I might be wrong in this (in which case I apologize), perhaps, but some of the Android games this time also have some intrusive DRM - PVZ requires a constant connection, and I doubt that this version is different from the Google Play version.

You are wrong :)
Version of Plants vs. Zombies from play store do not require Internet connection. The game works perfectly even on phone set to flight mode. It checks for updates on startup so at least it phones home, but probably most of mobile games do it too.

Sure, the games are good, but the philosophical aspects of Humble are what resonate with its community, and I've never been comfortable with the notion of expanding at the expense of your existing followers (loyalty really does need to run in both directions).

That basically sums up my views. Too many things have been given such good will only for them to just turn around and stop responding to their core supporters and principles just for illusory dreams of growth. And it never really seems to work out all that well in the end anyway, which is the truly depressing part.

Septikos, it's very important to express opinions and give feedback. Simply setting the tip to zero is not enough. Not buying a bundle also doesn't really help anybody understand why they missed your sale, or how they could have gone about getting it. Whether they choose to take feedback onboard and look after their long term fans is up to them, but at the very least, they deserve to be able to make that choice.

Well, I've been choosing the silent "not buy" option most of the time when no GNU/Linux version was available, and the silent "buy" (vote with wallet) option otherwise.

But if feedback is requested, here it is:
I decided to not buy games which don't offer a GNU/Linux version (!= Android in my mind). It's as simple as that.

I think the last Windows game I bought was Half-life 2 or Jedi Academy, around 2004/2005 and the first GNU/Linux game I bought was probably Lugaru around 2007.

I even skipped over Starcraft 2, which was one of the games I was most interested in. (of course, they made it even easier with all their region-locking, always online system, no LAN, etc..)

===
As for the few bundles I skipped, it was generally too long hesitation/procrastination and then missing the deadline (hesitating, having spent probably way too much on previous bundles ^^). Except for the one from last December, where I decided to pay for some FOSS games for a change. I regret it a little bit, but not too much. After all I can buy the games on Steam now (much better than previous bundles where the games where nowhere to be found after the bundles!). :)

Not to bothered myself although I do own a Android phone and tablet, so its nice to see games in a bundle that don't have to be multiplatform. Its great for Android as there is a better selection of good quality games to go into a bundle without the worry of trying to find stuff that is cross-platform. The Windows only bundle didn't bother me either despite not using windows at all. I guess nows such a great time to be a linux gamer that this just seems such a non issue with so many other avenues to acquire games.

I'm not as disappointed as I was on the 1st THQ Bundle. This time it's still THQ and after the 1st one was over, the guys at THQ were talking about paying Linux more attention; then they went bankrupt of course.

I'm gonna throw this out there, why not a GOOD Linux only Bundle to offset all the anger?. I say 'good' because I don't think a Pixel art and more puzzle games are doing it. We need more Torchlight and Half-Life kind of Games. I wouldn't mind at all if Runic Games would port Torchlight 2, even if the heads are missing. =p

That would not really change my mind as to turn around and accept a Linux only Bundle (for me at least) would be more than a little hypocritical. Plus I do not see the problem with pixel art in of itself. :P

I agree with most opinions about misuse of the brand. Every time a new bundle is out I go check which features have changed. DRM? Cross-platform? Oh, I can't play this time but I can donate to charity.

you guys should post your thoughts here http://blog.humblebundle.com/post/46350141488/double-the-bundles-humble-mobile-bundle-and-humble#disqus_thread

I agree with most opinions about misuse of the brand. Every time a new bundle is out I go check which features have changed. DRM? Cross-platform? Oh, I can't play this time but I can donate to charity.

This sort of thing worries me. If you want to support charities, but are less interested in the bundle, maybe you'd be best off supporting those charities directly. As with all things, the fewer middle men, the better, and if you're not getting what you want from the bundle itself, then it doesn't make much sense to have it in the equation.

When the first THQ bundle launched, I saw a lot of people accusing those who criticised the promotion of hurting the charities. The notion that Humble Bundle is the only way to support Child's Play and the EFF is beyond silly and perhaps even harmful to those charities.

I'm gonna throw this out there, why not a GOOD Linux only Bundle to offset all the anger?

This seems to push gamers on different platforms farther apart rather than bringing them together (which arguably, is one of the most important aspects of previous Humble Bundle promotions).

Beyond that, it would:

• encourage non-Linux gamers to believe that those asking for Linux support would have no right to complain


• create some level of disparity where platform favouritism on Humble's part would be perceived


• encourage fewer developers to release cross-platform games in the hopes of being included in a bundle (look at Tiger Style games - they built a cross platform engine in the hopes of getting Waking Mars into a bundle, and now plan to release everything they do on Linux)