I reached out to a number of developers to see how their sales are doing across different operating systems, here are the results for you.
This was done after Simon Roth, the developer of Maia, commented that Linux was outselling Mac for him. Upon seeing this, I decided to dig a little deeper. I hope that at the start of 2015 I can do the same and compare the numbers, so make sure to mark it on your calendars to remind me.
This may only be part 1, if I can get hold of more developers I will do a part 2.
They are ordered from best to worst performing games sales wise for Linux, might be time to show the lower end some love?
continue?9876543210
85.9% Windows
8.3% Mac OSX
5.8% Linux
On asking the developers of continue if they plan to keep supporting Linux:
QuoteIt's worth it because otherwise I don't get those sales.
So it's very simple for this developer.
Puppy Games
89% Windows
6% Mac OSX
5% Linux
Statistics for all of their games on Steam over the last 12 months, Supplied to us in January 2014
Broken Rules - Statistics for Secrets of Rætikon
73% Windows
22% Mac OSX
5% Linux
All units sold since their Steam release on 7th January 2014
Steamworld Dig
87% Windows
9% Mac OSX
4% Linux
On asking the Steamworld Dig developers what they think of the numbers:
Brjann Sigurgeirsson, Image & FormIf you only see the figures, on the surface it may seem that we are unhappy with how the Linux version is performing. However, we're not - we think Linux is the ultimate kind of indie, and so we are happy to bring the game to Linux. It's always good to have one extra happy community than one that gets passed up the whole time.
Phr00t's Software
3079:
89% Windows
7.18% Mac OSX
3.74% Linux
3089:
91% Windows
6% Mac
2.7% Linux
Percentage given is for the share of revenue between platforms.
When asking Phr00t if the sales numbers put him off Linux ports he had this to say:
Phr00tWell, my main development machine is Linux, so it is pretty important I support Linux :-D I love knowing I'm using all free software & as much free content as possible to make my games. However, I do pay for services & content as needed (artists, models etc.)
Loren Amazon Princess
93% Windows
4% Mac OSX
3% Linux
Steam version since release.
When asking Winter Wolves about keeping Linux ports they said:
Winter Wolves GamesWell I always wanted to support Linux, especially with the incoming SteamOS, but my game worked on Linux since 2008. It helps when you use a great cross-platform lib built in python of course.
Defenders Quest
94.61% Windows
2.74% Mac
2.65% Linux
Since February 2013 when Linux support launched.
I also asked Lars the developer of Defenders Quest how he felt about support Linux in future:
QuoteI'm ideologically* committed to Linux regardless of how big the sales are -- and I choose cross-platform targets that make supporting Linux almost cost-free. There's a little extra support, but it's cheap enough that the extra sales are basically just gravy. Also the fact that I support Linux has helped me above and beyond the sales I get directly from Linux customers -- being included in the steam linux sale (and getting bonus windows sales), etc.
Steam is pushing linux HARD. It's clear that's where they want things to go in the future. So regardless of how things look now, even if I wasn't a Linux booster, where Steam goes, I follow.
Now if only GOG would start supporting Linux :)
*For instance, Windows just freaked out on me this very morning insisting that I had a counterfeit copy, and I lost an hour talking to Microsoft support to fix it.
Democracy 3
85.2% Windows
13% Mac OSX
1.8% Linux
Steam statistics since release.
When asking the developer if it dissuades him from future Linux ports:
Cliff HarrisNo, I think it will grow, due to steambox.
NEO Scavenger
90.7% Windows
7.6% Mac OSX
1.7% Linux
On asking the developer if he will continue with Linux ports:
Daniel FedorOn one hand, the Linux crowd has been super appreciative of my supporting their OS. I get a lot of praise for it, and even some nice shout-outs from both users and publications. Plus, I think it makes admission into certain programs easier (e.g. bundles and other events for cross-platform-only titles)
On the other hand, supporting Linux has pretty severely hobbled my options in NEO Scavenger. I'm using Flash/AS3 as my development language, which was fine on Linux back in 2011.
However, Adobe dropped the Flash projector format in 2012, which was my main way to create desktop versions of the game. This wouldn't have been an issue on its own, since they created AIR for this exact purpose.
The issue arose when Adobe also dropped AIR support for Linux, which is now frozen at an old and unwieldy version.
Moving forward, I expect my next game will be using Haxe/OpenFL and maybe HaxeFlixel. In theory, it should allow me the same ease-of-programming I'm used to, with all the power of first-class desktop applications (file system access, networking, hardware-enabled performance).
I just want to make games. If the platforms are easy enough to support, then they have my support!
Overgrowth
92% Windows
7% Mac OSX
1% Linux
On asking David Rosen if they plan to continue supporting Linux:
David Rosen, WolfireWell, 1% of our Steam sales is actually a lot more than it costs to have a game professionally ported to Linux, so it's still a net win financially! But there are many other reasons to support Linux aside from raw direct sales, and aside from the principle of supporting free software. For example, Valve is putting their weight behind Linux as a new major gaming platform, and it was fun to see the Linux version of Overgrowth pre-installed on some of their demo boxes at Steam Dev Days. Also, as alway, it seems like Linux users are much more vocal on the internet than most users. I don't have hard data for this, but I would bet that they are also disproportionately represented among modders, detailed bug reporters, and participants in our community forums and chat rooms.
Rust - From the studio behind Garry's Mod
96.6% Windows
3% Mac OSX
0.4% Linux
Overall sales statistics from the Steam release.
My Thoughts
The numbers don't look very good overall if you directly compare it to Windows, but like with everything Linux I am personally pinning my hopes on Steam Machines & SteamOS giving us the boost we so deserve. We aren't that far off Mac numbers which is encouraging at least.
When you consider that just over a year ago Linux sales for developers on Steam would have officially been 0%, it's actually quite encouraging that after such a short time we are already making up 5% of sales for some of them.
What are your thoughts on these statistics then guys? Does it paint a good or bad picture for you?
Final note, a big thank you to all the developers covered here who took the time out of their busy developer lives to chat to me even for a moment on this topic.
Re: Rust - this is on my list but will wait until it matures. It's unfortunate I don't have the time to play all the games I already own!
Might have to give up on my quest to own every Linux game, it was easy before Steam :)
Cheeseness Jan 21, 2014
Quoting: Quote from tigerTo be fair, I don't own any of those games because IMHO they are bad. Obviously they will have bad sales on linux.
To a degree, that's going to be personal taste. The developers who've responded to this article are by no means all of those who support Linux - which developers would you like to hear from?
Quoting: Quote from RobI buy as many Linux games as I can, so far on Steam 190+ games that support Linux, everything else is on my Wishlist to be bought as & when I have spare cash.Very nice, you like me where you've only played a handful of them? I have a "Linux - Completed" group on steam that only has about 10 games in it. I spend most of my time playing CK2 or EU4. Damn paradox. Wont be long before I've spent 500hrs on those too.
Quoting: Quote from tigerTo be fair, I don't own any of those games because IMHO they are bad. Obviously they will have bad sales on linux.
How do you even know if they're bad if you haven't played them? I'll give you a couple of them, but ALL of them? SteamWorld Dig was excellent. It even got GOTY nominations (maybe even won, I don't recall)... And you're saying it's bad... Without even having tried it. Defender's Quest is compelling. I'd agree that it doesn't LOOK good - I avoided it for too long because I didn't care for the art. But one day I tried the demo and it hooked me.
Just because a game's graphics aren't AAA-level doesn't mean the gameplay won't be equal or better. (And SteamWorld Dig's 2D art did look excellent, at least on my TV - so I'm not saying all of the listed games look bad.)
As for early access games, some are better than others at making the Linux experience actually playable in Alpha stage. Usually, they focus more on the Windows versions.
Am planning on getting Rust and Continue?123456789 when I get more cash...
As for Paradox, a big big thank you, looking forward to seeing their numbers. Now if only they could only convince Taleworlds Entertainment to release Mount and Blade on Linux, that would be fab...I might even cry a little.
Quoting: Quote from Komek194132Interesting, nice job.
I often buy my games under Windows 7, but actually play them under Linux.
Pretty sure many people do that too; dual-booting is still very common among regular gamers, especially newcomers to Linux (like myself).
Don't despair, this is just the beginning.
I feel the same way. I have all my computers set up to dualboot Windows7 alongside Linux. The stats should actually reflect the gametime on each platfom. That could reflect a more the actual rating for every platform..
oldrocker99 Jan 22, 2014
I know a small indie developer studio which chose Unity3D as an engine (they have financial background) for their next title and will support linux. They said they're surprised that it's almost no work to support Linux in addition, and if it givest hem 1-2 % net sales it's a win for them.
Seems also to depend on the tools and engine you use. And I'm sure Cry and others will do just fine for that too.
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