The people over at Harebrained Schemes posted update #50 with some more details after update #49 caused some concerns, especially about the DRM part of the game.
Due to the license deal they had to make with MS (who owns the shadowrun license it seems) the DRM part comes down to this:
There are some frustration about the above part, while it's not really being dishonest as they are honouring the letter of their pledge and you get the game and 1st DLC DRM free, its not really honouring the spirit of that pledge as anything after that requires DRM, feels like their left this part vague.
As for the Linux release:
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Due to the license deal they had to make with MS (who owns the shadowrun license it seems) the DRM part comes down to this:
- DRM version of the Main game, Editor and Berlin campaign will be released on Steam
- DRM free version of the Main game, Editor and Belin Campaign well be released as download from Harebrained Schemes website/store, as far as I can tell this is only for backers, every line in their post about this has the word backers in it.
- Any DLC after the Belin campaign will only be released with DRM and thus on Steam
- Game will not be available via stores like Gameolith, Desura or GoG as they don't have DRM
There are some frustration about the above part, while it's not really being dishonest as they are honouring the letter of their pledge and you get the game and 1st DLC DRM free, its not really honouring the spirit of that pledge as anything after that requires DRM, feels like their left this part vague.
As for the Linux release:
QuoteWhen do I get the Linux version of the game?
As we said during the Kickstarter, we will release the Linux version in a reasonable timeframe after launch. We've done a few test builds in house but there are a fair number of issues remaining to be fixed. Rather than delay the entire release of the game to everyone, we're going to focus on the non-Linux platforms first as they have the most support and are the furthest along in development.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
0 Likes
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
All posts need to follow our rules. For users logged in: please hit the Report Flag icon on any post that breaks the rules or contains illegal / harmful content. Guest readers can email us for any issues.
Sabun 14 Apr 2013
That quote regarding Linux support doesn't seem very promising. Since they aren't giving it an ETA, then there's no real rush for them to get it out. Meaning it could be pushed back pretty far :/
0 Likes
Orkultus 14 Apr 2013
"Rather than delay the entire release of the game to everyone, we're going to focus on the non-Linux platforms first as they have the most support and are the furthest along in development." <---
Umm Non-Linux platforms have the most support??? Do they have any idea how huge the Linux community is, when it comes to support? As for furthest along in Development.... Linux grows everyday. This sounds like a company who has just no idea on how to code for Linux.
It's just like another dev, ive been dealing with (creator of Frozen Nightmare) in Desura. For months, the linux version was having a mouse stuck issue, and everyone was trying to tell the dev that it was a problem. About two or three weeks ago, i had to ask him "Do you even have a Linux computer to test your builds with?" He responded, "No, we just started to test it on about 2 days ago". Although the entire time they offered a Linux version, that people would buy just to find out it wasn't playable.
I dont see Shadowrun Returns hitting linux anytime soon. Even though it was promised as one of their stretch goals. Oh well.. they already have the money from that.
Umm Non-Linux platforms have the most support??? Do they have any idea how huge the Linux community is, when it comes to support? As for furthest along in Development.... Linux grows everyday. This sounds like a company who has just no idea on how to code for Linux.
It's just like another dev, ive been dealing with (creator of Frozen Nightmare) in Desura. For months, the linux version was having a mouse stuck issue, and everyone was trying to tell the dev that it was a problem. About two or three weeks ago, i had to ask him "Do you even have a Linux computer to test your builds with?" He responded, "No, we just started to test it on about 2 days ago". Although the entire time they offered a Linux version, that people would buy just to find out it wasn't playable.
I dont see Shadowrun Returns hitting linux anytime soon. Even though it was promised as one of their stretch goals. Oh well.. they already have the money from that.
0 Likes
Liam Dawe 14 Apr 2013
I gave up with the Frozen Nightmare dev because of that, will no longer be giving them any traffic for selling a non working, non supported and non tested Linux version. They changed their name too FYI.
As for this news, it does seem a little shady but we will eventually see a Linux release...when who knows!
As for this news, it does seem a little shady but we will eventually see a Linux release...when who knows!
0 Likes
Best thing to do, if they have another Kickstarter for another Game, just don't back it. Interesting thing about Linux coding: I read a lot of Dev blogs and it seems like none of them have any idea how to code for Linux, they blindly port their games.
A few I can think of are the games: "Star Shipping Inc." and "Legend of Dungeon". On Legend, some folks were having some issues and support trying to help but had no idea how to resolve the issue on Linux, didn't even know the file structure.
Also, most don't even have Linux installed, they simply test their game with a VM and LiveCD. It's a really pathetic state we are in right now. But on the bright side, their won't be any new version of DirectX anymore, according to AMD and Microsoft (MS said XNA); so Devs will be forced now to write in OpenGL.
A few I can think of are the games: "Star Shipping Inc." and "Legend of Dungeon". On Legend, some folks were having some issues and support trying to help but had no idea how to resolve the issue on Linux, didn't even know the file structure.
Also, most don't even have Linux installed, they simply test their game with a VM and LiveCD. It's a really pathetic state we are in right now. But on the bright side, their won't be any new version of DirectX anymore, according to AMD and Microsoft (MS said XNA); so Devs will be forced now to write in OpenGL.
0 Likes
Liam Dawe 14 Apr 2013
Devs won't be forced into OpenGL at all, they will continue to blindly use DirectX (just like lots do with XNA) even as it gets old like they do currently and it will continue to happen until Windows market share declines (which according to news reports is happening already).
The main problem is people still just think Windows is the norm (because a lot of kids are brought up with tech challenged parents who know nothing of the tech world outside of Windows) which a lot of the time it is.
It's improving as more major places support Linux but we still have ways to go. The best thing to do is not to just not support developers but to help educate them and eventually it will be unacceptable to release crappy Linux version or to not have one at all.
The main problem is people still just think Windows is the norm (because a lot of kids are brought up with tech challenged parents who know nothing of the tech world outside of Windows) which a lot of the time it is.
It's improving as more major places support Linux but we still have ways to go. The best thing to do is not to just not support developers but to help educate them and eventually it will be unacceptable to release crappy Linux version or to not have one at all.
0 Likes
fedso 14 Apr 2013
Shadowrun Return on Linux was promised for a later release since the beginning (update #4) so the Linux quote doesn't really change anything, moreover also the other versions are late since the game was supposed to be released in January, that is good news since it probably means a richer more polished game.
@Orkultus: I don't like to say it but although Linux community is very active, Linux is still the smallest market compared to Win & Mac...
Now if you’re a Linux-only user, you’ll have to wait for your version, but from what you’ve told us, you’re willing to do that.
@Orkultus: I don't like to say it but although Linux community is very active, Linux is still the smallest market compared to Win & Mac...
0 Likes
Orkultus 14 Apr 2013
@fedso: True True, but we will soon be ahead of that.
0 Likes
Orkultus 14 Apr 2013
Once i get better at coding, i plan to make a Linux only Dev group.
0 Likes
Superuser 14 Apr 2013
"Rather than delay the entire release of the game to everyone, we're going to focus on the non-Linux platforms first as they have the most support and are the furthest along in development." <---It's Unity Engine. The Unity toolchain is only actually supported under Windows and OS X (the OS is not called Mac, FYI), so it makes debugging on Linux a major pain in the ass. It sucks, but I wouldn't rush to blame the developer for it.
Umm Non-Linux platforms have the most support??? Do they have any idea how huge the Linux community is, when it comes to support? As for furthest along in Development.... Linux grows everyday. This sounds like a company who has just no idea on how to code for Linux.
It's just like another dev, ive been dealing with (creator of Frozen Nightmare) in Desura. For months, the linux version was having a mouse stuck issue, and everyone was trying to tell the dev that it was a problem. About two or three weeks ago, i had to ask him "Do you even have a Linux computer to test your builds with?" He responded, "No, we just started to test it on about 2 days ago". Although the entire time they offered a Linux version, that people would buy just to find out it wasn't playable.
I dont see Shadowrun Returns hitting linux anytime soon. Even though it was promised as one of their stretch goals. Oh well.. they already have the money from that.
I just hope Shadowrun Returns is actually released at all. They said to VG247 they have ['spent every penny'](http://www.vg247.com/2013/03/13/shadowrun-returns-dev-has-spent-every-penny-hoping-for-further-investment/) and were looking for further investment because the wild and extravagant stretch goals they chose... at least it will come to Linux eventually.
0 Likes
I'll wait, as long as it reasonable (1-2 months)
0 Likes
My guess? 3-4 months for the DRM-free Linux version. Or, 4-6 months for everything if they bother to do the editor. Less by a month or so, for the Steam Linux version.
So, we'll soon see how right or wrong I am :D
So, we'll soon see how right or wrong I am :D
0 Likes
I just started going over the novels again XD cant wait any longer hahahha
0 Likes
I just hope it works on release day via wine. I don't want to wait to play it! :)
0 Likes
It works fine on wine!
0 Likes
Quit winning! Man a linux version just around the corner, at least they HAVE worked on it and it's just a couple of month to wait, maybe just a few! Kudo! It remind me the days MAC version were coming just some time later than Microsoft.
It's really looking well for gaming under linux
I applaud!
It's really looking well for gaming under linux
I applaud!
0 Likes
Where is the direct non drm, windows version? I was a backer, and can't find a link to that even, to try on wine. Do I have to launch wine, then steam, then hope?
0 Likes
Patreon
PayPal
How to use MangoHud for Linux game performance monitoring
How to get GeForce NOW on Steam Deck, SteamOS