Unreal Engine 4.1 Has Been Released, Features Early Linux Support

Ohhhhhh it's very very insane! <3

What about the Frostbite Engine? Is there any hint about Linux support?

From what I understand UE 3 is completely incompatible with UE 4. That is, it's not the same as going from Unity 3 to Unity 4. So I guess it will take some time until games that are developed are released. Yes, there have been some UE 3 ports, but not the "automatic" ports that hopefully UE 4.1 will bring.

I'm guessing that it is straightforward to upgrade from UE 4 to UE 4.1. Does anyone have a sense of what proportion of new games using UE use UE 4 versus UE 3?

What about the Frostbite Engine? Is there any hint about Linux support?

IIRC, the Frostbite Engine is developed by DICE which belongs to EA.
I'd be more than surprised to see anything Linux related from EA, until SteamOS will be overly successful and, thus, "proves" that there is a market for Linux-based games.

Because marketing is the thing! :)

Valve/SteamOS "trademark" is much more easy to sell than Linux. This is probably one of the reasons why Valve decided to throw themselves in the publication of an OS.

No more arguments about the fragmentation of Linux distributions. All you have to do is aim for SteamOS.

At this point, developpers don't need to know about the fact that it is Linux compatible... I'm sure they do but I'm not sure they all care.

Valve knows and care, we know and that's all that matters. :)

Because marketing is the thing! :)

Valve/SteamOS "trademark" is much more easy to sell than Linux. This is probably one of the reasons why Valve decided to throw themselves in the publication of an OS.

No more arguments about the fragmentation of Linux distributions. All you have to do is aim for SteamOS.

At this point, developpers don't need to know about the fact that it is Linux compatible... I'm sure they do but I'm not sure they all care.

Valve knows and care, we know and that's all that matters. :)

well, distro fragmentation was solved in multitude of projects long ago. build once, run everywhere or single click install and so on. problem here is that each and every distro applies its own solution instead of working towards one that rules them all (or at least one defacto included everywhere). now, how could a developer that is not versed to linux know how and which. especially when you consider that each solution is solving one aspect and forgets few and there is not one solution you could rely on.

btw, this answer is in no way disagreeing with what you said, you were correct. steam it self is doing nothing but solving this exact problem (ok, adds lots of game wise features). it provides developer with "just works" environment

as far as i see, the only solution that actually tackles all aspects is unfortunately WIP, but that is just my opinion
http://videos.guadec.org/2013/Sandboxed%20applications%20for%20GNOME/video_HD.mp4

getting something like this as standard everywhere... linux suddenly is not as scary monster in the closet as it was. not to mention, shops like desura, gog, etc could be insanely simplified

What about the Frostbite Engine? Is there any hint about Linux support?

IIRC, the Frostbite Engine is developed by DICE which belongs to EA.
I'd be more than surprised to see anything Linux related from EA, until SteamOS will be overly successful and, thus, "proves" that there is a market for Linux-based games.

I actually am pretty sure I've read somewhere that indeed Frostbite for Linux is in the works too.

And a quick Googling confirmed it:
http://www.tweaktown.com/news/33438/dice-says-it-will-support-linux-could-see-battlefield-4-on-steamos/index.html

It's also listed under "game engines for Linux" on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Game_engines_for_Linux

What about the Frostbite Engine? Is there any hint about Linux support?

IIRC, the Frostbite Engine is developed by DICE which belongs to EA.
I'd be more than surprised to see anything Linux related from EA, until SteamOS will be overly successful and, thus, "proves" that there is a market for Linux-based games.

I actually am pretty sure I've read somewhere that indeed Frostbite for Linux is in the works too.

And a quick Googling confirmed it:
http://www.tweaktown.com/news/33438/dice-says-it-will-support-linux-could-see-battlefield-4-on-steamos/index.html

It's also listed under "game engines for Linux" on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Game_engines_for_Linux

I've said it before about that article, it's totally wrong.

They never said they will support Linux, but that they want to which are very different things.

We covered DICE with an actual quote here: http://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/lars-gustavsson-of-dice-creators-of-battlefield-want-to-get-into-linux.2561

wow it looks awesome....

Cant wait to see what kind of games will be released with this engine...

well, distro fragmentation was solved in multitude of projects long ago. build once, run everywhere or single click install and so on. problem here is that each and every distro applies its own solution instead of working towards one that rules them all (or at least one defacto included everywhere). now, how could a developer that is not versed to linux know how and which. especially when you consider that each solution is solving one aspect and forgets few and there is not one solution you could rely on.

btw, this answer is in no way disagreeing with what you said, you were correct. steam it self is doing nothing but solving this exact problem (ok, adds lots of game wise features). it provides developer with "just works" environment

as far as i see, the only solution that actually tackles all aspects is unfortunately WIP, but that is just my opinion
http://videos.guadec.org/2013/Sandboxed%20applications%20for%20GNOME/video_HD.mp4

getting something like this as standard everywhere... linux suddenly is not as scary monster in the closet as it was. not to mention, shops like desura, gog, etc could be insanely simplified

I know you're not argueing. It's just that I've seen too many times some misguided arguments about Linux fragmentation to justify the fact that there is no port for this game or that one.

And for Linux not beeing a scary monster anymore... I'll drink to that! :)

I know you're not argueing. It's just that I've seen too many times some misguided arguments about Linux fragmentation to justify the fact that there is no port for this game or that one.

And for Linux not beeing a scary monster anymore... I'll drink to that! :)

calling them misguided is a bit harsh, especially since community contributes 90% to that opinion. coders have jobs and can't simply go into linux 100%, but what they can do is get into it with leveled up expectations from what they learn reading on internet. same as they decide on how to approach to it

which distro they pick, where they search information, how they approach to solving problems... that is all based on what they read on internet. with right guidance you can make true believer in days, with wrong one you can make enemy in hours

i actually bothered to get 80% of my non-linux coder friends actually admit why the bogus claims and it always comes to exaggeration&expectation by linux zealots. when you get into anything with such high expectation any non trivial unsolvable problem just leads to you feel stupid about your self (it's so easy for everyone else, what am i then? stupid?). and that is one feeling no developer should feel if you want acceptance. sadly, zealoting just creates opposite zealoting

read forums and notice how some people claim "everything just works", "not one problem"... up to the point where linux is the final stand preventing WW3. all you need is look at forums and search "i'm total n00b, which distro..." and watch responses... full of gentoo

whole situation is more like https://xkcd.com/386/

Are we reaching the point where it's easier to ask what engines are left that don't support Linux (or will Real Soon Now) than which ones do?

I know you're not argueing. It's just that I've seen too many times some misguided arguments about Linux fragmentation to justify the fact that there is no port for this game or that one.

And for Linux not beeing a scary monster anymore... I'll drink to that! :)

calling them misguided is a bit harsh, especially since community contributes 90% to that opinion. coders have jobs and can't simply go into linux 100%, but what they can do is get into it with leveled up expectations from what they learn reading on internet. same as they decide on how to approach to it

which distro they pick, where they search information, how they approach to solving problems... that is all based on what they read on internet. with right guidance you can make true believer in days, with wrong one you can make enemy in hours

i actually bothered to get 80% of my non-linux coder friends actually admit why the bogus claims and it always comes to exaggeration&amp;expectation by linux zealots. when you get into anything with such high expectation any non trivial unsolvable problem just leads to you feel stupid about your self (it's so easy for everyone else, what am i then? stupid?). and that is one feeling no developer should feel if you want acceptance. sadly, zealoting just creates opposite zealoting

read forums and notice how some people claim "everything just works", "not one problem"... up to the point where linux is the final stand preventing WW3. all you need is look at forums and search "i'm total n00b, which distro..." and watch responses... full of gentoo

whole situation is more like https://xkcd.com/386/

Who said anybody was wrong? Why always find evil where there is none? Don't interpret what I wrote. Misguided wasn't probably the good term and I surely don't mean to insult anybody.

The main idea is that SteamOS permits developpers to have a clear target for game development. And it's Linux compatible. That was the whole point of the argument.

Who said anybody was wrong? Why always find evil where there is none? Don't interpret what I wrote. Misguided wasn't probably the good term and I surely don't mean to insult anybody.

The main idea is that SteamOS permits developpers to have a clear target for game development. And it's Linux compatible. That was the whole point of the argument.

found no evil, lol. probably my bad since english is not my native language

i just explained that misguided would be harsh term, not that it is wrong (at least in my english harsh not negating). you were 100% right. it's just that misguided can be labeled to various attributes which contribute to that point where linux is that monster in the closet.

out of all my coder friends i can't find one who would say "i won't develop for linux", but 80% simply does not know where to turn. steam is practically solving 99% since it is defacto "this is how it is and nothing else"

They never said they will support Linux, but that they want to which are very different things.

I think there are plenty room for interpretation in that quote, Liam.

He say "we" as in the company, not "I" as in a personal opinion or wish. So he speaks on behalf of Dice.

So he states, metaquoted, "DICE strongly want to get into Linux for a reason" -> Meaning this is not just a wish, but there are *reasons* why they want to get into it. And when a company *strongly* want something, they are working on it.

They never said they will support Linux, but that they want to which are very different things.

I think there are plenty room for interpretation in that quote, Liam.

He say "we" as in the company, not "I" as in a personal opinion or wish. So he speaks on behalf of Dice.

So he states, metaquoted, "DICE strongly want to get into Linux for a reason" -&gt; Meaning this is not just a wish, but there are *reasons* why they want to get into it. And when a company *strongly* want something, they are working on it.

The catch is: DICE still has to ask EA for permission.

They never said they will support Linux, but that they want to which are very different things.

I think there are plenty room for interpretation in that quote, Liam.

He say "we" as in the company, not "I" as in a personal opinion or wish. So he speaks on behalf of Dice.

So he states, metaquoted, "DICE strongly want to get into Linux for a reason" -&gt; Meaning this is not just a wish, but there are *reasons* why they want to get into it. And when a company *strongly* want something, they are working on it.

Big +1

The catch is: DICE still has to ask EA for permission.

... But why wouldn't they get a GO for that? I mean, EA has moved to support Mac, and Mac users are at a mere 3% or therabounts on the Steam network. Yeah Linux is even smaller, but that may very well change very fast once the SteamOS prerigged boxes hits the market.

I know my arguments are based on wishful thinking and little else, but there is *some* logic in all this. It's not totally far fetched that they too will support Linux now that three major competitors have done so - Source, Cryengine and Unreal.

They never said they will support Linux, but that they want to which are very different things.

I think there are plenty room for interpretation in that quote, Liam.

He say "we" as in the company, not "I" as in a personal opinion or wish. So he speaks on behalf of Dice.

So he states, metaquoted, "DICE strongly want to get into Linux for a reason" -&gt; Meaning this is not just a wish, but there are *reasons* why they want to get into it. And when a company *strongly* want something, they are working on it.

The original source (<a href="http://www.polygon.com/2013/10/12/4826190/linux-only-needs-one-killer-game-to-explode-says-battlefield-director">polygon</a> - not really known for being anti-Linux) doesn't come away from the interview with your interpretation.

The actual quote:

"We strongly want to get into Linux for a reason," Gustavsson said. "It took Halo for the first Xbox to kick off and go crazy — usually, it takes one killer app or game and then people are more than willing [to adopt it] — it is not hard to get your hands on Linux, for example, it only takes one game that motivates you to go there."

What he is saying is they want to be a part of Linux because if it gets a "Halo"-level game it will take off. They are not saying that they want to be the Halo-maker, they are saying they want to be there when it happens so they can be a part of it. They are not saying they want to take a risk on Linux, they are saying it is a risk to not be ready for it.

(It probably doesn't hurt that they speak the same language as Linux Torvalds.)

The actual quote:

This quote were in the article Liam referred to as well (on this site) and is what we do discuss here.

What he is saying is they want to be a part of Linux because if it gets a "Halo"-level game it will take off. They are not saying that they want to be the Halo-maker, they are saying they want to be there when it happens so they can be a part of it.

I agree, that's what he says. But isn't this just a technicality when they first and foremost is an engine maker? So if they make the engine available for this platform, *others* may then make the "Halo" game for this platform.

Add to this the fact that their main competitors - Crytek and Unreal - are already ready with their Linux versions, I'd say it is a pretty safe bet to assume they are doing the same. It's not confirmed, and it can be just talk, but I think there's realistic hope to be found here.