I saw quite a few people upset that Carmageddon: Reincarnation's early access release is Windows only despite them hitting the Linux stretch goal in their previous crowdfunding campaign. So, I decided to quiz them on it.
I spoke to Jason Garber the Publishing Director of Carmageddon: Reincarnation.
Before he answered my questions, he did state this:
Question time for Jason Garber!
You stated on twitter to us that there is no Linux version in early access because the PC (Windows) version is not done, is it a lot of work to port your in-house engine to Linux?
Will you be putting out early Linux versions once the Windows version is finished for Linux gamers to help test like you have done for Windows users?
For Linux gamers who don't want to use Steam, will the game be available elsewhere upon Linux release?
Are you planning DLC for the future, or will it be more like free content patches?
How many cars are you planning for the full release?
How are you planning to deal with potential censorship in different regions?
How do you and your team feel about SteamOS, do you think it will help to push Linux?
Even though you didn't hit the split-screen stretch goal on Kickstarter, will it be added in future?
Big thanks to Jason for answering!
So, there you have it folks they are focusing on Windows due to business decisions as it's of course right now still #1 for gamers.
We need to keep pushing up our numbers to get Linux closer to the front of development, one day...one day. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
I spoke to Jason Garber the Publishing Director of Carmageddon: Reincarnation.
Before he answered my questions, he did state this:
Jason GarberJust to reiterate, we focus on development on PC versions due to the simple fact of business. Both on development/qa as sales, however we do not shy away from delivering a linux version in the end, we just planned it as a port once finished.
Question time for Jason Garber!
You stated on twitter to us that there is no Linux version in early access because the PC (Windows) version is not done, is it a lot of work to port your in-house engine to Linux?
QuoteYes, we have to concentrate on the PC version before we port to any other platform. We assured the Backers that they would have a Linux version – but I disagree that we failed to say it would be coming later, it’s been stated every time the question has been asked that it will come later on.
Will you be putting out early Linux versions once the Windows version is finished for Linux gamers to help test like you have done for Windows users?
QuoteIt's quite possible we would approach it in that way. But we’d hope that Linux, as a port rather than a process of full game development, would be a more linear and (dare I say it) straightforward process that won’t involve the level of player testing that is useful to us while we still develop the full game.
For Linux gamers who don't want to use Steam, will the game be available elsewhere upon Linux release?
QuoteThere will be DRM free version of the game. It’s not unreasonable to think that the DRM free version would be available for Linux. Not knowing whether there are any potential technical ramifications to this, I can’t say that is a definitive answer though.
Are you planning DLC for the future, or will it be more like free content patches?
QuoteThere's a plan to continue to create content for the game beyond the “final release” of the game in late 2014. We feel that it’s appropriate for the title, and we want to keep adding to it in response to the feedback from players. We have assured our Kickstarter Backers that they will get all of the content that we make for the game, in perpetuity.
How many cars are you planning for the full release?
QuoteGetting on for thirty – we will just continue to add vehicles up to final release.
How are you planning to deal with potential censorship in different regions?
QuoteWe don’t expect it to be an issue.
How do you and your team feel about SteamOS, do you think it will help to push Linux?
QuoteI don’t really think that end users will give much thought to the underlying OS – they will be focussing on the Steam aspect, rather than the Linux underpinnings. IMO.
Even though you didn't hit the split-screen stretch goal on Kickstarter, will it be added in future?
QuoteIt's already implemented! And it’ll be available as soon as we do the Multiplayer update to the game.
Big thanks to Jason for answering!
So, there you have it folks they are focusing on Windows due to business decisions as it's of course right now still #1 for gamers.
We need to keep pushing up our numbers to get Linux closer to the front of development, one day...one day. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I know... I know what he's trying to say, but it comes out so wrong. "we have to concentrate on the PC version before we port to any other platform" literally means Windows, Linux and other PC OS versions before console, Android, etc. but he's using both "PC" and "platform" to mean "Windows". It's so wrong and not even unusual! :(
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Quoting: Cybolicbut he's using both "PC" and "platform" to mean "Windows". It's so wrong and not even unusual! :(
Well to be fair, so does Valve/Steam. In fact, to the general world "PC == Windows". It's just how it is. :/
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Quoting: CybolicI know... I know what he's trying to say, but it comes out so wrong. "we have to concentrate on the PC version before we port to any other platform" literally means Windows, Linux and other PC OS versions before console, Android, etc. but he's using both "PC" and "platform" to mean "Windows". It's so wrong and not even unusual! :(
Yeah my Linux PC is a Personal Computer too!
Nevertheless, still happy it will come to Linux one day but I find it strange they will need to port it. I think it would've be better to concentrate on a cross platform engine from the start if you state from the start it will be available for all platforms.
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Hi all Linux Zealots,
Jason Garber future employee of EA... I run all my Linux distros on a toaster... No wait it's a Personal Computer - also known as a PC.
Gratefully puts his away wallet so as to not fund assholes... Is it just me or does this guy come over as a total d*ckhead... :-(
Bob
Jason Garber future employee of EA... I run all my Linux distros on a toaster... No wait it's a Personal Computer - also known as a PC.
Gratefully puts his away wallet so as to not fund assholes... Is it just me or does this guy come over as a total d*ckhead... :-(
Bob
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And there you have it. Money first....just like every other windows first dev.
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Well, they always said that Linux support would come after the Windows version, but it does seem a little strange to ask for funding for a multi-platform engine and then port it after you're done.
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"It's quite possible we would approach it in that way. But we’d hope that Linux, as a port rather than a process of full game development, would be a more linear and (dare I say it) straightforward process that won’t involve the level of player testing that is useful to us while we still develop the full game."
This quote bothers me. So they are making this game on Windows only right now, but they just hope that the port to Linux is going to be easy for them. I am wondering if they have done their studies on those plugins they have used to make this game. Did they check that those plugins are multiplatform? I can see this is going to be a disaster.
"I don’t really think that end users will give much thought to the underlying OS – they will be focussing on the Steam aspect, rather than the Linux underpinnings. IMO."
This is sad but most likely true. Most "Console people" dont really care about what the core of their system is running. Its like how i told my friend that his PS4 is running FreeBSD. He was like "Uhh whats that?". I myself love knowing what any of my systems run.
Sheep i tell you... Sheep.
This quote bothers me. So they are making this game on Windows only right now, but they just hope that the port to Linux is going to be easy for them. I am wondering if they have done their studies on those plugins they have used to make this game. Did they check that those plugins are multiplatform? I can see this is going to be a disaster.
"I don’t really think that end users will give much thought to the underlying OS – they will be focussing on the Steam aspect, rather than the Linux underpinnings. IMO."
This is sad but most likely true. Most "Console people" dont really care about what the core of their system is running. Its like how i told my friend that his PS4 is running FreeBSD. He was like "Uhh whats that?". I myself love knowing what any of my systems run.
Sheep i tell you... Sheep.
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First of all, can we all stop harping on the "PC means more than Windows" thing? Yes, you're right, Linux runs on PCs, but the fact is that the industry uses the term "PC" to mean Windows, not Mac, not Linux, not BSD, not BeOS, not Amiga, not anything other than Windows... Literally NOTHING about this situation would change had Jason simply said "Windows" instead of "PC." Instead, we look like a bunch of whiny know-it-all ingrates. Focus on the important shit, not the stupid minutiae like this.
Secondly, they were pretty clear in their Kickstarter update that the Mac and Linux versions would be ports:
And finally, even though the date has slipped, they did tell us in the same update that the Mac and Linux ports would not ship at the same time as Windows:
The fact that there's no Linux early access should come as no surprise to anyone. We were told up-front.
Secondly, they were pretty clear in their Kickstarter update that the Mac and Linux versions would be ports:
QuoteSo, we’ve been doing the work here to assess how much it would cost us to port our technology and then the games to these OS’s’s.
QuoteSo, we are willing to commit to porting the game to both Mac and Linux, if we reach:
$600,000!
And finally, even though the date has slipped, they did tell us in the same update that the Mac and Linux ports would not ship at the same time as Windows:
QuoteAnd, like the DRM free version, the shipping date for these versions will be further out, towards the end of 2013.
The fact that there's no Linux early access should come as no surprise to anyone. We were told up-front.
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Yeah, they were pretty open about the delayed release with the backers, as well a the schedule slip. I'm not in love with "PC" = "Windows" either, but adolson has a good point about tact.
I don't know anyone here in the community that enjoys self-censoring = not even our own Benevolent Dictator for Life), but we have to realize that we've now got people's attention. People whose attention we've been seeking, such as devs and representatives of digital distributors. There's noting wrong with carefully selecting our words, knowing that folks are coming to peer in at us periodically.
In fact, I think McCoy's comment is his most tactful (and funniest) version of that same comment I've ever seen from him (kudos, McCoy! You got a chuckle out of me).
Our challenge is to keep our message hard-hitting and honest (as usual) without coming off mindlessly pedantic and entitled.
Even if we _are_ GabeN's chosen people ;)
I don't know anyone here in the community that enjoys self-censoring = not even our own Benevolent Dictator for Life), but we have to realize that we've now got people's attention. People whose attention we've been seeking, such as devs and representatives of digital distributors. There's noting wrong with carefully selecting our words, knowing that folks are coming to peer in at us periodically.
In fact, I think McCoy's comment is his most tactful (and funniest) version of that same comment I've ever seen from him (kudos, McCoy! You got a chuckle out of me).
Our challenge is to keep our message hard-hitting and honest (as usual) without coming off mindlessly pedantic and entitled.
Even if we _are_ GabeN's chosen people ;)
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