Arma 3 is set to see a Linux beta soon, but they will be looking to see how it goes down before they let it graduate anywhere.
Speaking on their development log they stated this:
QuoteWe can finally share news about the experimental client ports to Linux and Mac. They are being prepared for public beta release very soon (shortly after update 1.50). We consider them a complementary service to owners of the primary Windows version, so anyone owning that version, will also have access to the ports. It should be pointed out that there are some significant limitations, which we'll detail along with the start of the beta. There is also a possibility that these ports will never graduate from beta, but we will be evaluating their popularity and usability for some time. Keep an eye on our information channels to be notified about the beta starting!
I do hope they decide to keep it around, as it will be great to have it on our platform. I'm very much looking forward to giving it a go.
The problem I see with this approach is that Linux users who buy it could get stung, as they could remove the beta at any time. If they rely on Windows users switching then it will of course see very little gain for them, so it's going to be interesting to see how it plays out.
How do you feel about this? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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QuoteIt should be pointed out that there are some significant limitations, which we'll detail along with the start of the beta.
I'm not even sure whether I'd be happier with those limitations being performance/visual ones or feature-related, though it's probably going to be some form of the latter :/
I guess performance variations are something that's to be expected anyway and I don't expect vp to omit any visual settings (especially since they're wrapping direct3d rather than reimplement the engine for opengl). I can only assume that the content editor is to be left out of the linux/mac versions +some 3rd party mods might be useless too.
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I bought it back when it was in alpha on windows for the price of 25 euro I think, so I will definitely try this out!
As for the approach to releasing the game in beta and maybe never getting out of beta, I think it's an interesting way of testing a game - provided they do it only for testing purposes. I think it's very important not to look at the number of players, hence ofc the release approach.
However, I think it's a good way for smaller companies like Bohemia to test their games this way. If they were to release it, they would need to maintain it on a totally different level than this. This way people (like myself) who already has the game can contribute to testing the game, which may be much more informative for them compared to internal testing.
Keep in mind that this might not be truly "public" on Steam regarding the sales counting, since it's not really/officially on the platform.
Last edited by sleort on 26 August 2015 at 3:48 pm UTC
As for the approach to releasing the game in beta and maybe never getting out of beta, I think it's an interesting way of testing a game - provided they do it only for testing purposes. I think it's very important not to look at the number of players, hence ofc the release approach.
However, I think it's a good way for smaller companies like Bohemia to test their games this way. If they were to release it, they would need to maintain it on a totally different level than this. This way people (like myself) who already has the game can contribute to testing the game, which may be much more informative for them compared to internal testing.
Keep in mind that this might not be truly "public" on Steam regarding the sales counting, since it's not really/officially on the platform.
Last edited by sleort on 26 August 2015 at 3:48 pm UTC
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The way I am reading it, it sounds like that if this beta doesn't work out too well they will do a different (hopefully native) port instead (but obviously much later), but maybe I am just optimistic.
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I don't do beta or EA, but I really enjoyed Arma 2 pre-2013 when I still had Windows.
If they do it properly, I'll buy it. But not paying them to test their game for them. Just don't understand the concept of EA...
If they do it properly, I'll buy it. But not paying them to test their game for them. Just don't understand the concept of EA...
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Quoting: scaineI don't do beta or EA, but I really enjoyed Arma 2 pre-2013 when I still had Windows.
If they do it properly, I'll buy it. But not paying them to test their game for them. Just don't understand the concept of EA...
I was thinking of buying it, but you make a good point.
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I'm not sure if going to buy game that devs could say one day "sry but no linux version anymore".
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Yeah sounds pretty grim to me. Opening up with "It should be pointed out that there are some significant limitations" kinda puts a dampener on the enthusiasm.
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Not sure I want to pay 45€ just to play the beta if I know it may never be finished. I'll see how it goes but I don't like it.
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IMO this game is the most difficult game to be ported to other platforms, so I'm really curious to see the results. It's like Dr.Frankenstein trying out to resurrect a corpse.. And I already bought this corpse.
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TheRiddick Aug 27, 2015
This will be interesting, I don't mind if they had to remove some post-process effects or so to begin with with the BETA, to be honest under Windows those bells and whistles were not worth it either. So bring on the beta Linux port, really to begin testing.
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