So, Humble Bundle, we meet again in my Editorials. This time, I am going to be a little less harsh than previous entries, but still I thought I should write about this and see what everyone’s opinion is.
Previously, I was, I suppose, overly against Humble because of their Windows only "THQ Bundle". It actually angered me to the core because I felt, and still feel, that it went against what their original values were supposed to be about. (See here "Humble not so friendly anymore bundle") The comments are worth a read too, as it was probably one of our most commented articles to date!
The problem is that they are further watering down their brand in the attempt of making more money. Let's look at some very recent examples shall we?
Humble Weekly Sale
This one we covered briefly before, the Humble guys are doing weekly sales of games that happen every Tuesday. A great idea, although indiegamestand already do something near enough the same, but it seems they have thrown cross platform out the window on this one as well, considering the most recent one at time of writing is a Windows only deal.
Humble Mobile Bundle
They have also just launched their Mobile Bundles which are for Android only, so no Windows, Mac or Linux (I know, I know Android is part Linux that's an argument for another day) versions, which makes me wonder just how the Windows crowd feels since they have been left out this time, too.
At the end of the day it's their decision, it's their business after all and they are out to make money. (Some people seem to think it's all for charity. Afraid not, they are a business). It just tugs at me a bit that they have watered down their brand even more again, and again have gone against their original goals.
I am wondering how long it will be until they actually open a proper store. It can't be long now. Maybe I should start doing a Phoronix, and say "It's coming!!"...
What are your thoughts? Are you at all bothered by this? Shall I go back to my corner? Talk up! Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Previously, I was, I suppose, overly against Humble because of their Windows only "THQ Bundle". It actually angered me to the core because I felt, and still feel, that it went against what their original values were supposed to be about. (See here "Humble not so friendly anymore bundle") The comments are worth a read too, as it was probably one of our most commented articles to date!
The problem is that they are further watering down their brand in the attempt of making more money. Let's look at some very recent examples shall we?
Humble Weekly Sale
This one we covered briefly before, the Humble guys are doing weekly sales of games that happen every Tuesday. A great idea, although indiegamestand already do something near enough the same, but it seems they have thrown cross platform out the window on this one as well, considering the most recent one at time of writing is a Windows only deal.
Humble Mobile Bundle
They have also just launched their Mobile Bundles which are for Android only, so no Windows, Mac or Linux (I know, I know Android is part Linux that's an argument for another day) versions, which makes me wonder just how the Windows crowd feels since they have been left out this time, too.
At the end of the day it's their decision, it's their business after all and they are out to make money. (Some people seem to think it's all for charity. Afraid not, they are a business). It just tugs at me a bit that they have watered down their brand even more again, and again have gone against their original goals.
I am wondering how long it will be until they actually open a proper store. It can't be long now. Maybe I should start doing a Phoronix, and say "It's coming!!"...
What are your thoughts? Are you at all bothered by this? Shall I go back to my corner? Talk up! Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
Quoting: CheesenessSure, 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.
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Quoting: CheesenessSeptikos, 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..)
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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!). :)
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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.
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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
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
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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
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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.
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you guys should post your thoughts here http://blog.humblebundle.com/post/46350141488/double-the-bundles-humble-mobile-bundle-and-humble#disqus_thread
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Cheeseness Mar 29, 2013
Quoting: berarmaI 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.
Quoting: Mike FrettI'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)
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