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It's always sad to read things like this. The developer of Frozen Synapse Prime has spoken out about why there's no Linux port, and the news for us isn't exactly peachy.
It's not just sad to see, but I dislike writing about things like this. The reason I do is just to highlight the struggles we face as a platform.
The developer mentions that even with their engine already being cross-platform for both Linux & Mac they won't be doing a port.
In reply to a user being frustrated about it, the developer said this:
QuoteI really dont know how to reply to this. Put yourself in my position.
We have launched 2 PC/Mac/Linux titles, on the first we did the mac/linux versions 1 month later. It wasn't worthwhile. We thought the problem may have been the fact we didn't sim launch. On our next title we were day 1 with all 3 platforms, sales were still atrocious.
Mac/Linux account for 9% & 1% of overall sales respectively. If that 9% or 1% in revenue is not the cost of the port. we will not do it.
Every version of this game costs a fortune to QA and ready for release. Even using cross platform tools ( which we do ) and with an engine that already supports Linux/Mac. Especially given OpenGL performance is horrendous and just supporting linux after release costs a fortune.
I am not going to argue this any further. Like I said, put yourself in my position,
I am in a forum speaking honestly about my experiences, I have 12 years professional game dev experience as a game developer and engineer. I have also ran my own company for 5 years and dealt with all of the money/business affairs, whilst still getting my hands as dirty in development as usual. I have also launched 3 games on Steam and numerous others on other platforms.
Who do you think actually knows the most about this?
The developer carried on the communication some more too:
QuoteOur engine is cross platform and does support both Mac and Linux, however by the time we have solved all of the GPU driver performance issues, all the nuances full screen and controllers and all of the standard system stuff., then put through a full test and dealt with all of the edge cases. It will cost us over £30k. Quite simply we wont get it back.
For an engine that is already cross-platform, £30K for a Linux version sounds like a bit of a stretch since most of the leg-work has already been done. I'm no developer of course, but even with support costs for answering emails, dealing with distribution specific issues etc, 30K seems a bit steep.
The only light at the end of the tunnel was this:
QuoteI would quite happily hand it to anyone who was prepared to do it themselves and they can have almost everything it makes..
What do you think folks? See this forum post for the full info. Remember to be polite to the developers. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Well, I already gave my opinion on that thread: http://steamcommunity.com/app/328600/discussions/0/624074858812458996/#c624075036358918513
Which yes, is a bit flippant.
Which yes, is a bit flippant.
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Those percentages seem to reflect the relative share of the platforms on Steam, so it's not really a big surprise either way. "non-windows" sales ended up at around 10%? Sounds legit.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: We really do totally depend on SteamOS to pave way for Linux to be a legitimate gaming platform. We just do.
It's reassuring that it is Valve behind it, but it's not comfortable to put all our eggs in one basket. But there you go. It's where we are.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: We really do totally depend on SteamOS to pave way for Linux to be a legitimate gaming platform. We just do.
It's reassuring that it is Valve behind it, but it's not comfortable to put all our eggs in one basket. But there you go. It's where we are.
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Quoting: The developer of Frozen Synapse PrimePut yourself in my position.Your apology is not accepted. If you do your job, you have to do it properly!
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From a financial point of view, he's right. Given the number of Linux gamers right now (never mind just the ones who would actually buy the game) his company would not make their money back. So you either do it for the love of Linux or cross-platform compatibility or because you want to get it in a Humble Bundle (who may end up porting it anyway).
The bigger worry here is there simply aren't enough Linux games to justify a game port and our numbers are simply not growing fast enough. The Steam hardware survey may not be the best indicator but I would have thought that we would have broken 2% - 3% by now given the attention Linux gaming has been getting the last year or two.
As Beamboom said above, SteamOS and the Steam Machines are pretty much the only path to growth. And until (if?) that happens we'll have to live with the chicken 'n' egg problem: not enough users to justify porting and not enough ports to attract users.
The bigger worry here is there simply aren't enough Linux games to justify a game port and our numbers are simply not growing fast enough. The Steam hardware survey may not be the best indicator but I would have thought that we would have broken 2% - 3% by now given the attention Linux gaming has been getting the last year or two.
As Beamboom said above, SteamOS and the Steam Machines are pretty much the only path to growth. And until (if?) that happens we'll have to live with the chicken 'n' egg problem: not enough users to justify porting and not enough ports to attract users.
2 Likes, Who?
There's plenty of other devs who are totally willing to port to linux. I will defer to their judgment, they might know more than mister 12 years of experience.
Also, isn't that the company that promised a linux game for a humble bundle but failed to deliver? I am not so surprised...
Also, isn't that the company that promised a linux game for a humble bundle but failed to deliver? I am not so surprised...
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Eh, a bit of a shame, but I'm not heartbroken. Frozen Synapse had some solid gameplay, but it felt a bit unfinished, and the verbose exposition led me to just skip the dialogue after a bit. But fine, whatever, I thought, until I read this:
"On our next title we were day 1 with all 3 platforms, sales were still atrocious."
After a bit of searching, I found said title: Frozen Cortex. It's a $25 early access, turn-based sports game. Not to be rude, but COME ON. It's an interesting concept, sure, I remember thinking I might check it out once it's released fully, because how many people (Linux or Windows) avoid pricey early access games? Quite a few, I imagine. Especially since we Linux gamers have to be more scrupulous about buying games that have proper Linux support.
In short, I find this point unfair and unrealistic. And I'm not a dev, so I won't speak on the other points.
Edit: Apparently Double Eleven is the dev, not Mode 7. As for as I can tell, PixelJunk Shooter is the 2nd game, PixelJunk Monsters Ultimate being the first.
"On our next title we were day 1 with all 3 platforms, sales were still atrocious."
After a bit of searching, I found said title: Frozen Cortex. It's a $25 early access, turn-based sports game. Not to be rude, but COME ON. It's an interesting concept, sure, I remember thinking I might check it out once it's released fully, because how many people (Linux or Windows) avoid pricey early access games? Quite a few, I imagine. Especially since we Linux gamers have to be more scrupulous about buying games that have proper Linux support.
In short, I find this point unfair and unrealistic. And I'm not a dev, so I won't speak on the other points.
Edit: Apparently Double Eleven is the dev, not Mode 7. As for as I can tell, PixelJunk Shooter is the 2nd game, PixelJunk Monsters Ultimate being the first.
1 Likes, Who?
Quoting: HadBabitsFrozen Cortex.
I really liked Frozen Synapse. But Frozen Cortex...left me cold.
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oldrocker99 Nov 16, 2014
Interesting. Steam sent me a 50% off coupon for Frozen Synapse Prime today. Of course, I did use to dual-boot:S:...
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I got it too, and I'm Windows-free. Everyone who has Frozen Synapse got it. It expires in a week or so.
Funny anecdote: they messed up at first. The coupon couldn't be used in conjunction with other sales, and since they had a general small percentage off (5%? 10%? something like that) for the same time window, the coupon was basically useless. They talked to Valve and fixed that though, I think.
Funny anecdote: they messed up at first. The coupon couldn't be used in conjunction with other sales, and since they had a general small percentage off (5%? 10%? something like that) for the same time window, the coupon was basically useless. They talked to Valve and fixed that though, I think.
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how do they count linux sales ?
like me... i'm sitting 80% on the day at a windows machine at work (with steam online). At home it depends on the game i like to play. lets say 80% linux 20% windows.
what do you think will my statistics say under witch platform i brought the most games ?
i don't switch to linux just to buy a game, but when i buy a game i check if its for linux or not.
i only buy games that are released for linux..
like me... i'm sitting 80% on the day at a windows machine at work (with steam online). At home it depends on the game i like to play. lets say 80% linux 20% windows.
what do you think will my statistics say under witch platform i brought the most games ?
i don't switch to linux just to buy a game, but when i buy a game i check if its for linux or not.
i only buy games that are released for linux..
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