Heart Forth, Alicia is a beautifully crafted Metroidvania RPG on Kickstarter right now seeking funds. It has already hit well-over the initial goal and is sailing towards the Linux stretch goal, but why is it a stretch goal?
The game was originally made in a program called Multimedia Fusion, but this has limited them somewhat. MMF does have an open-source export module that can export to Linux, but this game is far out of the scope of what that can do. They created this game before Hardware Acceleration was even an option for games exported in MMF.
They are now looking to get it ported to native C++ code and then ported to OSX & Linux.
Alonso MartinThat's right. We're paying someone to port it to C++ and OSX/Linux.
I didn't know you were writing an article! MMF is perfectly capable of porting games to many platforms if games are designed for that purpose. HFA is just a 7 year-old game started when not even HWA (hardware acceleration) was an option, so exporting this particular game from MMF itself is not at all an option.
Thanks,
Alonso.
I hope that clears it up, the goal for a Linux version is $120,000 and it looks like they will hit it quite easily! The game will be re-made using C++ rather than MMF.
The developer also confirmed the Linux version will only come once the Windows version is finished:
Alonso MartinWe're only able to port to Linux once we have the final version ready. Yes, we're using MMF2.
About the game
At Heart Forth, Alicia's core is an ode to the classics. Remember the electrifying gameplay of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the expansive worlds of the Zelda games, and the rich, engaging story of Xenogears? This game is crafted in the spirit of those great adventures of the '90s.
The story unfolds amidst the repercussions of centuries worth of struggle, strife, and bloodshed between cultures, races and worldviews. But above all else, it's an epic Metroidvania RPG that combines timeless 16- and 32-bit gameplay, modern mechanics, and a set of unique, intertwining stories to take you on a fantastic journey.
- Master devastating and versatile magic spells to annihilate your enemies and solve creative puzzles.
Engage in fast, agile melee combat with an enchanted wizard's whip, over 20 special attacks and upgrades, and a wide array of mobility skills. - Adventure through a vast, intricately detailed world filled with hidden wonders and puzzles, dastardly platforming, lethal dungeons, and much, much more.
- Play with powerful RPG elements that include all the gear, loot, sidequests, upgrades, crafting, and gameplay depth that make for a classic RPG experience.
- Discover 5 secret fairy companions to crush, shock, freeze, and burn your enemies, or save you at your most dire moment of need.
- Experience a deep and immersive story that takes place within a much larger history of events and cultures, and starring a cast of fascinating, memorable characters.
Personally I am a little-bit in love with this game, it's charming to the very core.
What do you guys think?
UPDATE: After reading your comments, the developer sent this in:
QuoteHello Liam,Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
I read your article and some of the comments. Porting the game to C++ and then to OSX/Linux at the end will take less time than porting the game to those platforms at all points of development. Not only would we also need to raise the stretch goal to a staggering amount to be able to pay the company that'll port the game to stick around for the whole lapse of development (or eat into our budget and risk not finishing the game), any bugs found in the ports would also need to be addressed, which would take more of our time.
In short: if we ported to Linux/OSX during development, the game itself would be delayed by many more months than the 3 months it'd take to port it at the end. I hope our decision is clearer to you now.
Thanks,
Alonso.
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14 comments
FutureSuture Apr 19, 2014
I absolutely love 2D Castlevania games (I wish so badly that 2D Castlevania games would come to Linux) so this game suits me perfectly. I just hope it's a good one! It certainly looks gorgeous to me and doesn't seem to mind using colours which is always a good thing.
Nevertheless, what I would like even more is if games like these started to use sharp, detailed 2D art instead of pixelated 2D art. A 2D Castlevania game with a massive budget allowing for the former would make me buy it for myself and friends like a crazy person!
Nevertheless, what I would like even more is if games like these started to use sharp, detailed 2D art instead of pixelated 2D art. A 2D Castlevania game with a massive budget allowing for the former would make me buy it for myself and friends like a crazy person!
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I don't get it ...
If they are getting someone to port their game from MMF to C++ ... why they will deliver the MMF Version to windows user ?
Why not make the new version for windows too c++ ?
This would also reduce further maintainance costs. But maybe i'm stupid and didn't got it ?!
If they are getting someone to port their game from MMF to C++ ... why they will deliver the MMF Version to windows user ?
Why not make the new version for windows too c++ ?
This would also reduce further maintainance costs. But maybe i'm stupid and didn't got it ?!
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Isn't having Linux as a stretch goal part of the consensus that it's a no-no? Not even a mention of who they'd like to port the game. They probably haven't even thought about it that far. I'd figure with titles like 7 Days to Die, Contagion, Divinity, everyone would be more careful now. If they are sidelining Linux in the beginning, it is very likely they'll continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
If you don't mind paying for something you might get in 2 years time after Windows users have it, then go ahead. Just remember, don't be sad if you never get anything for your money.
If you don't mind paying for something you might get in 2 years time after Windows users have it, then go ahead. Just remember, don't be sad if you never get anything for your money.
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I tend to agree, Sabun. My experience with the still yet to be ported Skullgirls has put me off "when-it's-done" stretch goals.
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The developer had this to say about recent comments:
Hello Liam,
I read your article and some of the comments. Porting the game to C++ and then to OSX/Linux at the end will take less time than porting the game to those platforms at all points of development. Not only would we also need to raise the stretch goal to a staggering amount to be able to pay the company that'll port the game to stick around for the whole lapse of development (or eat into our budget and risk not finishing the game), any bugs found in the ports would also need to be addressed, which would take more of our time.
In short: if we ported to Linux/OSX during development, the game itself would be delayed by many more months than the 3 months it'd take to port it at the end. I hope our decision is clearer to you now.
Thanks,
Alonso.
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At the very least they are attentive, and have given an estimate of 3 months after the Windows release. I'd be a lot more trusting if we actually knew who would port the title. If it was Ryan Gordon or Ethan Lee or any other prominent Linux porter(s) we knew, it would be worthwhile. Right now, there is still quite a lack of transparency, although they have given us more information in that reply. Thanks for posting it Liam.
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They should go plain C.
c++ complexity is dangerous from many view angles.
c++ complexity is dangerous from many view angles.
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FutureSuture Apr 20, 2014
Isn't having Linux as a stretch goal part of the consensus that it's a no-no? Not even a mention of who they'd like to port the game. They probably haven't even thought about it that far. I'd figure with titles like 7 Days to Die, Contagion, Divinity, everyone would be more careful now. If they are sidelining Linux in the beginning, it is very likely they'll continue to do so for the foreseeable future.What's the exact story behind those?
If you don't mind paying for something you might get in 2 years time after Windows users have it, then go ahead. Just remember, don't be sad if you never get anything for your money.
0 Likes
Isn't having Linux as a stretch goal part of the consensus that it's a no-no? Not even a mention of who they'd like to port the game. They probably haven't even thought about it that far. I'd figure with titles like 7 Days to Die, Contagion, Divinity, everyone would be more careful now. If they are sidelining Linux in the beginning, it is very likely they'll continue to do so for the foreseeable future.What's the exact story behind those?
If you don't mind paying for something you might get in 2 years time after Windows users have it, then go ahead. Just remember, don't be sad if you never get anything for your money.
7 days to die, well they spoke to me a lot during their Kickstarter, now they are practically silent. Here's the Linux thread on it http://7daystodie.com/forums/showthread.php?5739-Soooo-yeah-Linux-maybe, I was forced to chime in considering I actually used my own money to back them and feel betrayed by their utter lack of communication.
I've sent them another message today on Kickstarter and will reply to that thread again today.
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FutureSuture Apr 20, 2014
What about the other two games that Sabun mentioned?7 days to die, well they spoke to me a lot during their Kickstarter, now they are practically silent. Here's the Linux thread on it http://7daystodie.com/forums/showthread.php?5739-Soooo-yeah-Linux-maybe, I was forced to chime in considering I actually used my own money to back them and feel betrayed by their utter lack of communication.Isn't having Linux as a stretch goal part of the consensus that it's a no-no? Not even a mention of who they'd like to port the game. They probably haven't even thought about it that far. I'd figure with titles like 7 Days to Die, Contagion, Divinity, everyone would be more careful now. If they are sidelining Linux in the beginning, it is very likely they'll continue to do so for the foreseeable future.What's the exact story behind those?
If you don't mind paying for something you might get in 2 years time after Windows users have it, then go ahead. Just remember, don't be sad if you never get anything for your money.
I've sent them another message today on Kickstarter and will reply to that thread again today.
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Contagion listed Linux as a stretch goal on their kickstarter. Now they have already released for Windows, and have only ever had a Windows executable since being on Steam. They claim to be working on it now but have no ETA, but have previously cited that "We'll do what we can but each platform requires separate license fees" and a possible ETA is "definitely this year". Those aren't very convincing.
They have only recently stated that what's next is Linux and Mac support, but it is further down the list. As my previous statement, for all those Linux gamers who backed it, it is very likely you'll have to wait up to 1 year or more from the Windows release.
I don't hold them in contempt, it's just right now we have nothing else but the developers few sparse words to go on. Unlike other games, which at least have a Linux executable even before full release (Wasteland 2 and Starbound for example).
For Divinity, just read the Kickstarter pledge "If Mac and Linux versions -and other languages- become available they will be free to owners of PC copies". Notice the usage of IF. They haven't planned for it. It's a "if we've got nothing better to do, then we'll do it" style of "supporting" Linux.
If I am wrong on any of this, please correct me. This is from me following these games and trying to keep up with what's happening. If I'm wrong, I'll be glad as it would mean they're serious about Linux.
They have only recently stated that what's next is Linux and Mac support, but it is further down the list. As my previous statement, for all those Linux gamers who backed it, it is very likely you'll have to wait up to 1 year or more from the Windows release.
I don't hold them in contempt, it's just right now we have nothing else but the developers few sparse words to go on. Unlike other games, which at least have a Linux executable even before full release (Wasteland 2 and Starbound for example).
For Divinity, just read the Kickstarter pledge "If Mac and Linux versions -and other languages- become available they will be free to owners of PC copies". Notice the usage of IF. They haven't planned for it. It's a "if we've got nothing better to do, then we'll do it" style of "supporting" Linux.
If I am wrong on any of this, please correct me. This is from me following these games and trying to keep up with what's happening. If I'm wrong, I'll be glad as it would mean they're serious about Linux.
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FutureSuture Apr 21, 2014
Contagion listed Linux as a stretch goal on their kickstarter. Now they have already released for Windows, and have only ever had a Windows executable since being on Steam. They claim to be working on it now but have no ETA, but have previously cited that "We'll do what we can but each platform requires separate license fees" and a possible ETA is "definitely this year". Those aren't very convincing.Nothing wrong about that whatsoever. I have only ever backed 3 projects and those were open source projects on Indiegogo. Them being open source gave me a greater sense of security as opposed to financing developers developing proprietary software with a primary focus on Windows.
They have only recently stated that what's next is Linux and Mac support, but it is further down the list. As my previous statement, for all those Linux gamers who backed it, it is very likely you'll have to wait up to 1 year or more from the Windows release.
I don't hold them in contempt, it's just right now we have nothing else but the developers few sparse words to go on. Unlike other games, which at least have a Linux executable even before full release (Wasteland 2 and Starbound for example).
For Divinity, just read the Kickstarter pledge "If Mac and Linux versions -and other languages- become available they will be free to owners of PC copies". Notice the usage of IF. They haven't planned for it. It's a "if we've got nothing better to do, then we'll do it" style of "supporting" Linux.
If I am wrong on any of this, please correct me. This is from me following these games and trying to keep up with what's happening. If I'm wrong, I'll be glad as it would mean they're serious about Linux.
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