This is interesting, Underworld Ascendant is now going to be on Linux without the need for a stretch-goal in the hopes of gaining more backers.
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This quote is taken from their latest Kickstarter update:
QuoteOver the last 2 weeks a number of folks have been asking about Mac and Linux versions. From our forum poll on platforms, we’ve also learned that a larger percentage of you play on Mac or Linux than we had anticipated. There is also some information suggesting that a non-trivial number of people who have come to check out the Underworld Ascendant Kickstarter page move on as soon as they see that we’re only showing Windows support up front.
So… we have decided to roll Mac and Linux support into the base funding goal. There are tradeoffs when moving around features within a budget, but this seems worthwhile. One tradeoff is that it will likely mean we’ll need to hold off for a month or possibly longer to release the Mac and Linux versions following the initial Windows release (staging it this way helps to minimize budget impact.)
If making this change brings in new backers and funding, then it will all be a wash, as we’ll be that much more likely to go past our first stretch goal. We do suggest that our Mac and Linux backers take a peek at a tier or two above where they are currently pledged...
It's a nice idea, but we all know how these types of things usually end up: We end up waiting a lot longer.
Considering they are specifically asking Linux & Mac backers to look at pledging more, I find it a bit half-hearted. To say you will support something, and still ask for more funds. It's certainly understandable for the extra support cost, but it still feels a little odd to remove a stretch goal, and ask for more funds at the same time.
They are at least honest that Linux and Mac won't release at the same time as Windows, so they are already more honesty that a lot of other Kickstarters who only seem to mention this later.
Still, if you are interested in playing this game on Linux, feel free to vote in the aforementioned poll. Accessing the poll requires registration.
About the game (From the Kickstarter)
Far more than a dungeon crawl, Underworld Ascendant is a next-generation sequel to the legendary fantasy RPG’s Ultima Underworld & Ultima Underworld 2. It not only modernizes the series’ visuals and user interface to take full advantage of the today’s powerful PC’s, it innovates in bold new ways.
We still never recommend backing anything on Kickstarter, but we certainly won't stop you.
See the Kickstarter page for all the info.
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This is a welcome change, and I'll back them now. Not happy about delayed release plan, but it's way better than putting Linux into a stretch goal.
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FutureSuture 19 Feb 2015
From our forum poll on platforms, we’ve also learned that a larger percentage of you play on Mac or Linux than we had anticipated.Does anybody have a link to this poll?
There is also some information suggesting that a non-trivial number of people who have come to check out the Underworld Ascendant Kickstarter page move on as soon as they see that we’re only showing Windows support up front.I wonder what information they are referring to, and if we as a community have access to this information.
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Might be some browser statistics from Kickstarter which is available to the campaign owners only?
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I wonder what information they are referring to, and if we as a community have access to this information.Perhaps simply that linux/mac browsers only look at the front page on kickstarter and not any other page, while windows browsers look at other stuff… That’s what I did anyway ;).
More like Linux / OS X visitors didn't back the game while there were a lot of them :)
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I don't mind all that much that Linux will be a bit later, sounds like they are talking months rather than years. At least it's not a stretch goal anymore, I don't want to back something not knowing if I'll ever be able to play it. This way, I already pledged.
I wonder though how much their decision to support Linux and Mac was because they are still below their funding goal and they wanted to bring in more potential supporters (and then also ask them for larger pledges).
I wonder though how much their decision to support Linux and Mac was because they are still below their funding goal and they wanted to bring in more potential supporters (and then also ask them for larger pledges).
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Their minimal pledge for the digital version now is $25 which isn't small by Kickstarter standards.
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FutureSuture 19 Feb 2015
8 people thanking the developers for Linux support at the time of writing, while only 3 thank for Mac OS support, and yet we still have this party pooper of the name Starhowl:
Pretty much no one wants Linux support, every single time, but you still gonna do it anyway.Seems like he is a repeat party pooper as his comment history indicates he posted similar poop in Edge of Eternity's Kickstarter:
Nobody needs a Linux version, because that OS is meant for academics; I would rather prefer you'd invest your resources into the game mechanics and bug corrections.Digging that ignorance. Yum!
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Pretty much no one wants Linux support, every single time, but you still gonna do it anyway.Digging that ignorance. Yum!
I can't find that comment. When was that?
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FutureSuture 19 Feb 2015
Oh, they use Unity… I think I’ll pass.
Why do people keep saying this? If you don't like unity, then keep it to yourself. Indie develops have no choice but to use it since it cost less to use than other engines.
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I hope it won't be plagued by performance problems like many Unity games on Linux.
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I hope it won't be plagued by performance problems like many Unity games on Linux.
Blame that on the developers who don't know how to optimize. There are many unity games (like Cities in Motion or Shadowrun Dragonfall) that run fine.
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See live interview: http://www.twitch.tv/arvaneleron they just said they they aren't committed to Unity if it won't work out for them - they are pretty early in the prototyping stage yet.
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Oh, they use Unity… I think I’ll pass.
Why do people keep saying this? If you don't like unity, then keep it to yourself. Indie develops have no choice but to use it since it cost less to use than other engines.
While it wasn't the most constructive comment it echo's how a large portion of us feel.
Unity generally performs poorly on Linux, also it's not really cheaper than other engines since stuff like Unreal Engine can be used for a tiny amount a month vs a massive upfront cost of Unity, and Unreal performs far better.
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I don't mind "later releases"; even if it's half a year later, as long as the games are released in the end.
I'll back it, but I probably won't go for a higher level as pre-alpha, since very likely if they release linux later, we won't get an "early" alpha/beta build anyway.
I'll back it, but I probably won't go for a higher level as pre-alpha, since very likely if they release linux later, we won't get an "early" alpha/beta build anyway.
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I've backed it now. I expect to wait for Linux releases and it does not bother me much. Day and date release doesn't always result in a quality experience anyway as we've seen. I'm sure as experience grows that becomes easier but right now development teams are unsurprisingly prioritising the target system they know the most has the most third party library support and the most game development tools. It also helps that it yields the most funds.
This idea of click a button and export to new target needs to die in a fire. It's clearly far far better than it was and good engine support is absolutely key and I think the rate of improvement in two odd years is laudable.
I've not had too many issues with unity games so I don't get where the reputation has come from? But I use a LTS version of ubuntu and manually uninstall then reinstall the binary NVIDIA drivers after a big update/upgrade of packages.
This idea of click a button and export to new target needs to die in a fire. It's clearly far far better than it was and good engine support is absolutely key and I think the rate of improvement in two odd years is laudable.
I've not had too many issues with unity games so I don't get where the reputation has come from? But I use a LTS version of ubuntu and manually uninstall then reinstall the binary NVIDIA drivers after a big update/upgrade of packages.
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FutureSuture 20 Feb 2015
Poll has been found and the article has been updated accordingly. Please vote if you are interested in playing this game on Linux.From our forum poll on platforms, we’ve also learned that a larger percentage of you play on Mac or Linux than we had anticipated.Does anybody have a link to this poll?
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