Larian Studios Working On A New Game While Divinity: Original Sin Is Still Not On Linux

Looks like someone involved has noticed the post on the reddit that links to us: http://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/3510yh/larian_studios_working_on_a_new_game_while/cr0k7yx

Throwaway for some insight.
We didn't know we would be doing a Mac/Linux port until we read the Kickstarter update ourselves. It was never planned, and by the time we did the Kickstarter, the game was nearing completion.

A lot of the middleware we used didn't work on Mac and Linux, and it was well to late to fix that. Instead of doing the port inhouse, it was sent to a different company in a different country (a lot cheaper). They did a lot of work, but initially, only for Mac. Linux was never a priority, the Steam Box was though. When that was delayed, so was the port. It also didn't help that the Mac port was hardly (or not even) profitable.

When the game was released and turned out to be a big hit, a lot of money was spent on making the game better. LOTS of stuff was added, which basically meant everybody worked on maintaining the existing code, and not working on the Linux version, which was still missing some middleware.

I know there was talk for a while of releasing the Linux branch, which wasn't in sync with Mac/Win. Which basically meant you'd never be able to play it with Windows/Mac friends, as I doubt we'd ever get the go ahead to resync the patches. Based on Swen's forum post, that's no longer the plan (thank fuck).

We're working on another big (really HUGE) update, which breaks compatibility with the 'old' one. We can only release the port when we release the update... Don't ask me when that is, but it will change the game considerably, so hopefully that will create some new excitement for you to play the game.

So yeah, the delays are shit, we don't like it either, but considering any time we spend on the Linux port is a financial loss... it's hard to convince the people in charge to make it a priority.

Reminding the people in charge you guys exist is a good idea though. Keep writing articles and spamming the twitter channel. It helps us to get this done as well.

I understand that Linux (and Mac, for that matter) users have the burden of proving that we will buy games and make it worth while for devs to port games to our platform. But if you do a kickstarter and you say you'll port something to Linux and people give you money predicated on that fact..... then that's what you do.

This "well, we didn't ever plan to port to linux until late" excuse just does not matter. They agreed to do it. They spent backers' money, so they have a contract to fulfill. I don't really understand, to be honest, how Kickstarter is immune to standard business laws.

I understand that Linux (and Mac, for that matter) users have the burden of proving that we will buy games and make it worth while for devs to port games to our platform. But if you do a kickstarter and you say you'll port something to Linux and people give you money predicated on that fact..... then that's what you do.

Hell, yes. Exactly this.
I don't know what's left to discuss.

In particular, I don't get how many here suggest that the promised and still lacking Linux version is something we should be less upset about than other things - because, you know, it's Linux and it's giving developers a hard time and we should be grateful that it's still on their list after all. WTF! :S:

Without crowdfunding, we wouldn't have excellent games like Pillars of Eternity or Shadowrun Dragonfall. So no, I'll keep donating to projects I find interesting.

Then you're part of the problem.

You lose your right to bitch when the Linux version fails to materialize. After all, you just "invested" right? You didn't pay for anything.

Updated the article again, and the Larian person has now deleted their comments.

Edit: Added in shots. Not very impressed at this.

Updated the article again, and the Larian person has now deleted their comments.

How we know it's employee account? Just curious. If those comments are true, then wow, that's quite a saddening display of attitude from indie developer. I guess if you are successful, you can shit on your backers openly without remorse.

EDIT: But at least there's some indication what happened - they first wrote game only supporting DirectX. Now they have new iteration of engine which will support cross platform. it's not a bad thing, but communication is multiple levels bad bad bad.

EDIT 2: aaaaand all other dev comments got deleted from reddit. Seriously, stop jumping around. Just tell how it is.

I won't defend a developer who promises, promises, promises and....nothing happens. If they eventually bring it to Linux then great for the people who helped them so long ago.

I think it's really bad to keep people waiting who funded them.

I am with you that they have kept people waiting for too long but on the Kickstarter page when people pledged it did say:

(*) = NOTES FOR REWARDS

DIVINITY ORIGINAL SIN will be DRM-free, and will be localized in English, French, German, Polish and Russian. Additional languages may be added. The game will initially be available for PC. If Mac and Linux versions -and other languages- become available they will be free to owners of PC copies (digitally). Digital copies will have to be downloaded via your preferred digital retailer such as Steam or GOG.com if available.

That wording screams afterthought to me from the word go.

I think that Linux users should never back anything on kickstarter or any site like that ever again, and I don't think we should ever buy anything from Larian studios even if it is a day one Linux release, we don't need devs like that on Linux anyways, they just make the Linux gaming experience bad for everyone. If they can port to mac but not linux then they are worthless anyways. Don't buy Larian games anymore and don't support them either, that includes telling others to buy their games. We need to start sending devs like them messages that we are not going to take their crap anymore.

I think the forum post which was linked to strikes an apologetic tone and they're clearly wanting to support Linux now, which is good. But it's easy for me to say that, because I didn't back this, so I've not had any promises of support broken by a Kickstarter pledge which to this day remains mostly meaningless.

Still looking forward to buying this though and it sounds like they're trying to climb a steep learning curve to deliver a product, so I remain hopeful.

I think that Linux users should never back anything on kickstarter or any site like that ever again, and I don't think we should ever buy anything from Larian studios even if it is a day one Linux release, we don't need devs like that on Linux anyways, they just make the Linux gaming experience bad for everyone. If they can port to mac but not linux then they are worthless anyways. Don't buy Larian games anymore and don't support them either, that includes telling others to buy their games. We need to start sending devs like them messages that we are not going to take their crap anymore.

That is a horrible attitude to have. Don't stop funding things on kickstarter due to a handful of really late or cancelled linux ports, that type of attitude hurts the image of Linux users as a whole. Keep in mind that the Developers may be really annoyed that they were just punted the promise of a Mac and Linux version they never planned to support. From the reply I saw, it seems that:

1. They started Development well before the Kickstarter and didn't expect to be making anything other than a Windows game.

2. Someone in Management promised backers a Mac and Linux version without talking to the Developers to see if it was possible/feasible - this is some I know all too well. We've had failed launches due to promises mgmt made without talking to the technical side first.

Point is, lets try to rise above the failed/delayed promises rather than throw hissy fits about VIDEO GAMES which in the grand scheme of life really don't matter that much.

Raze Moderator 2 hours ago
Originally posted by defiant:
What happened to the Linux version?

There will be an announcement involving that soon. Instagram teaser[instagram.com]

see also: So where is that Linux version anyway?[www.larian.com]

.
Originally posted by LINUX Wolfyrion:
According to GamingonLinux they are working on a new game :o

Larian has generally had a couple projects on the go at once. D:OS turned in to an 'all-in bet the company on success' deal, but doing that repeatedly may not continue to pay off in the long run.

Also, having and hiring writers, artists, designers, scripters, etc, to work on other projects does not take anything away from the programmers working on the Linux port of the engine.

.
Originally posted by Holysword:
but these guys received money from Kickstarter because of the Linux promise

And during the kickstarter it was specifically stated the work on the Mac and Linux versions had been halted, and these versions were only officially confirmed once the initial goal was reached. The Linux version was always going to be started after the Mac version was done, and was described that was during the kickstarter; the extra work required just ended up being much more involved and time consuming than originally thought.

Regardless, anyone who back on kickstarter specifically for the Linus version who is unhappy with the delay can get a refund.
Last edited by Raze; 2 hours ago



From the steam users forum

The throwaway's comments in the screenshots make sense. I'd rather they keep the Linux port work in sync with the upcoming megapatch and not waste what little Linux developer resources they have on backporting their work. It really would be a waste of time.

I didn't Kickstart this, and am glad I didn't. But if they do actually release the port I think I'll have to plunk down some cash for it. This is the way you do it - buy games after they release. No blacklisting required.

Response from Raze from Larian forums:

The next games will be built on the same engine and gameplay mechanics of D:OS, DRM free, Windows, Mac and Linux. In the topic So where is that Linux version anyway? the extra work and time required for the Linux version was justified specifically because Larian didn't want to compromise on making a native port of the engine "...such that our future offerings will also include Linux support."

Dragon Commander and D:OS were self published. Larian is in the process of opening a couple new offices and hiring more people, so whatever financial backing Focus is providing, I don't think it is acting as a publisher, with the usual control that involves. D:OS also had financial backers and loans involved, with some money from advances from distributors for the retail version, who handled the localizations and guaranteed a minimum number of sales. Some of those distributing deals were with publishers.

If it's official, it sounds promising.

I think that Linux users should never back anything on kickstarter or any site like that ever again

Sounds too morbid and I think it's completely wrong. If you won't back crowdfunded projects, you won't get anything that otherwise could be created only outside legacy publishers system. How surprising is that?

You lose your right to bitch when the Linux version fails to materialize. After all, you just "invested" right? You didn't pay for anything.

No, you lose your right to complain if you don't invest. Investors have full right to be upset if their investment doesn't work out.

Updated the article again, and the Larian person has now deleted their comments.

Edit: Added in shots. Not very impressed at this.

How do you know the person is working for Larian?

It would be better be sure about the facts before making false accusations and blaming them for nothing. It would be great if GamingOnLinux would be quality over quantity.

I think that Linux users should never back anything on kickstarter or any site like that ever again

Sounds too morbid and I think it's completely wrong. If you won't back crowdfunded projects, you won't get anything that otherwise could be created only outside legacy publishers system. How surprising is that?

I never back kickstarters due to reasons like this. My money is mine, and I won't put money down to something that doesn't even exist.

You lose your right to bitch when the Linux version fails to materialize. After all, you just "invested" right? You didn't pay for anything.

No, you lose your right to complain if you don't invest. Investors have full right to be upset if their investment doesn't work out.

No, everyone has a right to complain if a developer promises something and doesn't deliver. You don't have to "invest" to be annoyed.

Updated the article again, and the Larian person has now deleted their comments.

Edit: Added in shots. Not very impressed at this.

How do you know the person is working for Larian?

It would be better be sure about the facts before making false accusations and blaming them for nothing. It would be great if GamingOnLinux would be quality over quantity.

Given the insight this person had, the answer is obvious. Then they were deleted...we are confident it was Larian.

I never back kickstarters due to reasons like this. My money is mine, and I won't put money down to something that doesn't even exist.

Then you don't care about those projects. Fair enough. I back projects which I care about and which won't be made without backers. Failures of some to deliver is not a reason for me to expect all to do the same.

I never back kickstarters due to reasons like this. My money is mine, and I won't put money down to something that doesn't even exist.

Then you don't care about those projects. Fair enough. I back projects which I care about and which won't be made without backers.

Sorry, but that's flat out wrong.

I care about all projects that offer Linux support. I wouldn't have done this article to highlight the problems if I didn't care.

Not being willing to depart with my money to something that doesn't exist, does not mean I don't care. That's a very odd point of view.

Well, you care but not enough to enable the project with your support. Does that sound better? As I said, without backers they won't be made at all.