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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXGFJKIP_PQ
AirMech is a fun and free 2 play MOBA that has a Linux test build out now, but the developers want to know if it's worth doing it.

Speaking on their forum post:
QuoteSo, we've had the ability to build and run Linux builds for a while now, but distributing a Linux build is a nightmare due to the fragmentation of the OS.

As a method of gauging how many people *could* run a build if we pursue Linux as a platform, I've compiled a build for people to test.

A couple notes:
- I will not be providing detailed support for running the build. If you meet the requirements below, and it doesn't start, upload your ldd output for the build. If it crashes on startup upload a gdb backtrace.
- This is compiled on Ubuntu 14.10 with glibc version 2.19-10ubuntu12. If you're not on the same os/glibc version, you probably can't run it
- The build definitely will NOT run in a virtual environment (VirtualBox, VMWare, etc)
- There is NO support for open source graphics drives (Mesa, et.al). If you're not willing to install the Linux drivers from your card manufacturer, don't bother running the game.
- This is a 64bit build. No 32bit support.
- This game is incompatible with PC with regards to multiplayer. Think of it in the same manner as NaCl.
- This is not a fully tested build. It's more of a pre-Canary status build. There are likely broken gameplay/menus. This is about runability/framerate, not for reporting non-linux specific bugs.
- No patch support

If it does work, report back here. We'll use this to judge interest in Linux as a platform as a whole. It needs to make sense for us to pursue this as something more than a one-off weekend hobby of mine if we want to officially support it as a Carbon product.

Link: http://airme.ch/1yMB1DL


I've seen the "fragmentation" argument a lot, and every time it comes up people argue against it, but it can be an issue. It was for me, as the build didn't run and my feedback has been left accordingly.

I urge you all to comment on it for Linux support (if you want to play it), and suggest ways they can ease the fragmentation burden.

The main thing is to remain polite, and not put developers off. They are trying, and that's the main point here.

Here's the forum post link again.

About the game (Steam)
AirMech is fast paced Action RTS that can be played like Dota or Starcraft--you can battle on the ground or command from the skies! Practice solo, or jump into coop or even pvp modes. 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3 plus the army you build to fight alongside you. Either command from above, dogfight with other players, or wreck things on the ground in mech mode. Level up ingame similar to Dota style games, build your army as if you were playing an RTS, or anything in between! Team play means every player can play a role while still helping their side win.

You can find AirMech on Steam here. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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16 comments

sonic Jan 11, 2015
I played this game about one year ago and it was more like "PayToWin".
Maokei Jan 11, 2015
Works great for me on an asus ux32vd laptop with both intel hd 4000 and nvidia 620 with arch.
lave Jan 11, 2015
wish there were more upcoming rpg, adventures and the likes than mobas. but maybe im just getting old :P
Alex V.Sharp Jan 11, 2015
Personally I don't care any more if they support Linux or not - the game stopped interesting me a long time ago (as in, way back in early alpha) since they took a different direction from what I was expecting from the game.

However I'm sure there are some people who would like to play the game natively, no matter how many or few, so for them I'm hoping Carbon rethinks the way they are approaching this. For everyone's sake.
pete910 Jan 12, 2015
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Works fine for me.

Mageia 5 beta x86_64
4790k
290x (14.12 drivers)
16gb

Cant seem to set full screen though, windowed only.
Orkultus Jan 12, 2015
Tried it on Linux Mint 17.1 64bit Cinnamon Edition, and was getting the following error.

"./AirMech ./AirMech: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6: version `GLIBCXX_3.4.20' not found (required by ./AirMech)"

So i updated my gcc by doing this.

add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-toolchain-r/test
apt-get update
apt-get dist-upgrade


Game started up just fine after that.

-Minty-Linux-
shigutso Jan 12, 2015
why did he compiled for Ubuntu 14.10 instead of the LTS version, 14.04? not very smart IMHO...
MiroJanosik Jan 12, 2015
I have 32-bit Ubuntu 14.04 so no, I can't test it.
Ajdrew70 Jan 12, 2015
Back when I was still running windows, I would play this game a lot. I am really happy about hearing this. I wish I could help, but I think that It would work for more than just Ubuntu.
davec524 Jan 12, 2015
https://www.carbongames.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=20203

Just want to let you know that Carbon recompiled the game using the Steam runtime (compiled against Ubuntu 12.04), so it should have much better compatibility on more machines. You should probably update the post to reflect that.
Syke Jan 12, 2015
Works great on Mint 17.1 after they rebuilt for Steam runtime.
svartalf Jan 13, 2015
It looks like they want their experiment to fail, since they selected the very latest Ubuntu knowing that anything with an older glibc won’t work… Strange.

Most of the "fragmentation" arguments come from not understanding OS versioning in the first place. There's ways to accomplish a solid binary against a wide range of glibc's and the like- it's just that a new studio presumes things not in evidence and then blames the OS or "fragmentation" when it was just them jumping in with both feet and not paying attention. Just like you really can't just expect to have something work/built with Lion to fully and properly work with Snow Leopard on OSX. It might work. It might not. Same goes for something built against Win7 running on XP or 2k. It's possible. It's also likely BROKEN. It's no different there than it is with Linux- if you're going to target a range of "versions" you want to pick a baseline, common denominator version and verify against the larger set.

I still am gobsmacked every time I see this complaint- because it's dead clear they didn't do it right out of box. And many of them KNOW BETTER.
svartalf Jan 13, 2015
https://www.carbongames.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=20203

Just want to let you know that Carbon recompiled the game using the Steam runtime (compiled against Ubuntu 12.04), so it should have much better compatibility on more machines. You should probably update the post to reflect that.

Hey, funny that. Built it the "right" way, per Valve's recommendations on the subject. That's one of those ways. The other is to use a chrooted build environment or an amped up cross-compile environment done out of several different ways to do it. I recommend (when someone consults w/me...) a Scratchbox2 based environment because it's effectively like a chrooted jail with the ease of use of just a cross-compile chain. (No real risk of host leaking into the build...)
pd12 Jan 14, 2015
I'm not into MOBAs, (even though I grudgingly play Dota2 and lol once).
Just came here to say the art looks like SC2. But when I look at the video it looks more like C&C and the action seems like real action-action - point and shoot etc. Which appeals to me more than the current MOBAs. argh.
Teodosio Feb 2, 2015
Too lazy to test this, I will wait for a proper release on Steam. :P
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