Knights and Merchants was originally a LinuxGamePublishing (RIP) title, and sadly the port source code must have gone with it. Topware Interactive now have a Linux beta available on Steam that uses Wine.
QuoteHello everyone,
the Wine port of the game is almost ready for public release. The game was tested on a SteamOS, Ubuntu 15.10 and Arch Linux, however as you know there are many different Linux flavors, not to mention hardware configurations, therefore they might be some issues not yet discovered and thus resolved.
I encourage those of you who already have the game in their library to test it, any feedback will be appreciated. Beta access code is:
betaKAMLinux
If you encounter any problems please attach KAM.log.txt (located in game folder) as well as a short description. Thank you!
Source
I don't really have a problem with this, it's an especially old title that probably wouldn't sell well, but it's nice that they are giving us the option to not have to configure anything ourselves. This is especially nice on SteamOS where games are expect to just run.
I am very fond of the game myself, as I spent hours of my youth playing the demo, and eventually getting to play the full version when a family member had it.
About the game (Official)
KNIGHTS and MERCHANTS recreates the era of the Middle Ages. Apart from the purely fictitious geography of our world, all game elements and scenes are based on the Anglo-Saxon period, 1200 A.D. And we haven't used imaginary elements like fabled creatures, either. The player takes on the role of an ordinary captain in the Palace Guard. A conspiracy against the king catapults the captain into a situation where he finds himself responsible for the defence of the last royal province. This is all that remains of the shattered kingdom, which has been split into numerous small principalities and fiefdoms. And now even the king himself, ensconced in his capital, is threatened by enemy armies. This is the starting point of your Middle Ages adventure. Now you must win back all those provinces which once belonged to your king. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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16 comments
I have the Linux version of this game which I bought many years ago.
This game was ported to Linux by Runesoft and LGP was only the publisher.
Many months ago, I was informing you that Runesoft was working on the new version of this game for Linux.
Unfortunately, Runesoft did not publish this game on Desura, and probably Topware Interactive does not know about the existence of KAM for Linux.
Last edited by gbudny on 11 March 2016 at 9:26 pm UTC
This game was ported to Linux by Runesoft and LGP was only the publisher.
Many months ago, I was informing you that Runesoft was working on the new version of this game for Linux.
Unfortunately, Runesoft did not publish this game on Desura, and probably Topware Interactive does not know about the existence of KAM for Linux.
Last edited by gbudny on 11 March 2016 at 9:26 pm UTC
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In my case runs good (stay in beta for now)
View video on youtube.com
System Specs used in test
Nvidia Drivers 361.28
Linux Mint 17.2 Raffaela XFCE Edition 64Bit - Kernel 4.2.0-25 generic (ubuntu mainline) - P-State: Performance
CPU: INTEL Pentium G3258 (Haswell 22nm) 4.1Ghz + Artic Cooling Alpine 11 Plus
MEM: 8GB DDR3 1333 (2x4) Patriot value (dual channel: 21.3 gb/s)
GPU: Zotac Nvidia Geforce GT630 (GK208 28nm: 384 Shaders / 8 ROPS) Zone Edition Passive Cooling 2GB DDR3 1800Mhz 64Bit (14.4Gb/s)
BOARD: MSI H81M E33
^_^
View video on youtube.com
System Specs used in test
Nvidia Drivers 361.28
Linux Mint 17.2 Raffaela XFCE Edition 64Bit - Kernel 4.2.0-25 generic (ubuntu mainline) - P-State: Performance
CPU: INTEL Pentium G3258 (Haswell 22nm) 4.1Ghz + Artic Cooling Alpine 11 Plus
MEM: 8GB DDR3 1333 (2x4) Patriot value (dual channel: 21.3 gb/s)
GPU: Zotac Nvidia Geforce GT630 (GK208 28nm: 384 Shaders / 8 ROPS) Zone Edition Passive Cooling 2GB DDR3 1800Mhz 64Bit (14.4Gb/s)
BOARD: MSI H81M E33
^_^
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Excuse my ignorance, but these games released as "WINE port" generate a new prefix, uses the same prefix installed or use different ways?
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Excuse my ignorance, but these games released as "WINE port" generate a new prefix, uses the same prefix installed or use different ways?
Dont affect your current prefix because them have own prefix, in knights and merchants for example is saved on:
/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Knights and Merchants Historical Version/
And on this have two more folders: Game and Wine folders, inside Wine folder stay regular wine folders: bin, lib, prefix and share folders
^_^
Last edited by mrdeathjr on 11 March 2016 at 9:39 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
Excuse my ignorance, but these games released as "WINE port" generate a new prefix, uses the same prefix installed or use different ways?Hmm, I don't get the question. Uses the same prefix as what? All the Steam apps that uses wine are provided with it's own Wine in the bundle and it means you actually download the whole Wine prefix. For example on my machine I can go to the local files of the K&M and it is in:
<SteamLibrary>/steamapps/common/Knights and Merchants Historical Version/Wine/prefix/
Anyway, on my machine K&M correctly runs in full screen which was problematic when I was trying to use it through wine prefix installed by my own. However I don't remember if cursor was not changing on Windows if I was hovering over enemy unit (it does not in beta) and unfortunately I was able to alt+tab from game to other window but not able to alt+tab back. When I alt+tab back to the game window, the window is frozen and it is impossible to use it anymore. The same happens when I'm in Big Picture mode and try to open Steam overlay - window with game freezes.
Having that in mind I have to say that bringing old games to Linux through Wine is from my perspective great, because if I have to choose between being not able to play my old game at all, being able to install it on Wine by my own and fight with major issues or have the game bundled with Wine and have all the major issues fixed - I choose the third option. And there are future users to come, that have no knowledge of Wine at all.
However in my opinion issues with Alt+tab and Steam overlay have to be fixed in order to promote from BETA to public release.
1 Likes, Who?
Why aren't there more games released using Wine? Is it a wine licensing thing or are there other reasons? Wine would be great for old classics like Deus Ex and Fallout 2.
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Why aren't there more games released using Wine? Is it a wine licensing thing or are there other reasons? Wine would be great for old classics like Deus Ex and Fallout 2.
Yeah more classics are good idea however topware stay working various games using wine: once of them is enclave (but them put on 16th)
Some fragments about this information for courtesy steamcommunity
Raidor [dph]
a Linux port of Enclave will be done, but other game titles have a higher priority.
Earth 2160 is finished, now we work on Knights & Merchants.
Next will be Earth 2150 and Two Worlds ... Enclave is Number 16 on the list.
This is original steam community topic if you want know more
https://steamcommunity.com/app/253980/discussions/0/598198356175658673/#p3
^_^
1 Likes, Who?
lucifertdark Mar 12, 2016
Will these people PLEASE stop with the Wine wrappers? it's NOT helping get decent games on Linux as it gives developers an excuse to not bother as they can just say "run it in Wine" when we ask for a port.
I REFUSE to use Wine, it sucks & should never be used to port games to Linux.
I REFUSE to use Wine, it sucks & should never be used to port games to Linux.
1 Likes, Who?
Will these people PLEASE stop with the Wine wrappers? it's NOT helping get decent games on Linux as it gives developers an excuse to not bother as they can just say "run it in Wine" when we ask for a port.
I REFUSE to use Wine, it sucks & should never be used to port games to Linux.
Old games like this wouldn't even be worth porting as it would probably make a loss. So, it's either we don't get it at all, or we get it with Wine.
Wine is an amazing bit of software for old games.
Last edited by Liam Dawe on 12 March 2016 at 8:22 am UTC
3 Likes, Who?
Will these people PLEASE stop with the Wine wrappers? it's NOT helping get decent games on Linux as it gives developers an excuse to not bother as they can just say "run it in Wine" when we ask for a port.
I REFUSE to use Wine, it sucks & should never be used to port games to Linux.
Totally disagree. Wine in current state is perfect for bringing old titles to our beloved platform. As long as licencing of all the middleware used in the game allows to use Wine, I would love to have as many old games ported this way as possible. Why? Because more classic titles we have, there are less reasons for people to stay on Windows. Just keep in mind that some old games have their issues on newer versions of Windows as well (I remember some time ago I wasn't able to run Worms Armageddon on Windows 7 (now it runs ok on my girlfriend machine win Windows 7) while at the same time I was able to play it fluently on Wine.
Using Wine for old titles if it is seamless for the user is a right path.
Old games like this wouldn't even be worth porting as it would probably make a loss. So, it's either we don't get it at all, or we get it with Wine.
Wine is an amazing bit of software for old games.
Totally agree.
2 Likes, Who?
boltronics Mar 12, 2016
Agreed. I'd happily purchase old games wrapped in Wine. It also seems pretty rare to see a new release on Steam that's just been Wine wrapped (probably in part due to Wine currently only supporting up to DirectX 9 for graphics), so I don't see the problem.
1 Likes, Who?
Port is done in the same way as Earth 2160. Works very well on my Linux Mint
1 Likes, Who?
[quote=TheBoss]
I want to remind you that Topware Interactive made the same mistake with Gorky 17 for Linux/Mac. Those games were ported to Linux/Mac many years ago, but Topware Interactive prefer to publish games for Windows because they desperately need money. Perhaps, this is one the reasons why they don't want negotiate with companies like LGP, Runesoft, and Hyperion Entertainment.
I want to point out that Runesoft sells the native Mac version of KAM in the Mac App Store:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/knights-merchants-shattered/id595411919?mt=12
How will it make a loss if the price of this game isn't so high for the Mac users?
Old games like this wouldn't even be worth porting as it would probably make a loss. So, it's either we don't get it at all, or we get it with Wine.
Wine is an amazing bit of software for old games.
I want to remind you that Topware Interactive made the same mistake with Gorky 17 for Linux/Mac. Those games were ported to Linux/Mac many years ago, but Topware Interactive prefer to publish games for Windows because they desperately need money. Perhaps, this is one the reasons why they don't want negotiate with companies like LGP, Runesoft, and Hyperion Entertainment.
I want to point out that Runesoft sells the native Mac version of KAM in the Mac App Store:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/knights-merchants-shattered/id595411919?mt=12
How will it make a loss if the price of this game isn't so high for the Mac users?
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I feel weird about game-developers publishing "ports" using WINE.
However, in the case of really old games, it's completely fine with me. Usually those games would run very well in WINE, but if they package it with the game already, it's much easier to get going (not to mention, that you don't have to install yet another Steam-Client on your machine).
So yeah, I'm all for wrappers, if the game is so old and wouldn't be ported properly anyway :)
The game looks really interesting, Has some "The Settlers" 1-4 vibe to it. I loved those games (re-bought them on GOG.com and occasionally playing them) or the opensource remake of Settlers 2 "Widelands.
I might give "Knights and Merchants" a spin
However, in the case of really old games, it's completely fine with me. Usually those games would run very well in WINE, but if they package it with the game already, it's much easier to get going (not to mention, that you don't have to install yet another Steam-Client on your machine).
So yeah, I'm all for wrappers, if the game is so old and wouldn't be ported properly anyway :)
The game looks really interesting, Has some "The Settlers" 1-4 vibe to it. I loved those games (re-bought them on GOG.com and occasionally playing them) or the opensource remake of Settlers 2 "Widelands.
I might give "Knights and Merchants" a spin
1 Likes, Who?
DamonLinuxPL Mar 12, 2016
Very good game. Nice to have it on Steam for Linux even bundled with WINE. Still this is best choice, because we can't get native now, old native is lose, droped source so we cant get new native, because developer not have money for this, and other resources and I think profit from sale, not back all porting cost. So good choice with WINE port.
Yes, and not. With Gorky 17 and other things, TopWare negotiate with Hyperion but still case is not unresolved. Even If they get game binary for Gorky 17 (Odium), they can't update it easy, because they not have source code. So they need also source, and this is probably lose. So game not update to the same version as Windows, and without integrates with steam... nice. So you chose what you want? Do you want have non native WINE port on steam, easy to install even on SteamOS, only install and play? Or maybe you want have nothing? Many players want it, even as WINE wrapper.
Why you thinking, that TopWare not want negotiate with it? So, you talking about LGP? So, LGP is quite dead, so they can't negotiate with LGP... They only can with Runesoft or Hyperion and they talking sometimes ago with hyperion... So?
I think you not know about history this company, right?
Old ports are also burdened with a number of licensing problems. Eg. Some games have been licensed only DISTRIBUTION own, so a company can not resell them, or share TopWare make it on Steam.
Other issues, often the contracts are concluded in time and their duration has expired long ago.
Sometimes the subject was the main developer who passed later transformation and is no longer a disposition of rights eg. A version for Linux. It must be taken consider these, especially since a lot of games from TopWare arose in Poland from Reality Pump, where the law is very strict and complicated. Keep that in mind.
Last edited by DamonLinuxPL on 12 March 2016 at 5:50 pm UTC
I want to remind you that Topware Interactive made the same mistake with Gorky 17 for Linux/Mac. Those games were ported to Linux/Mac many years ago, but Topware Interactive prefer to publish games for Windows because they desperately need money. Perhaps, this is one the reasons why they don't want negotiate with companies like LGP, Runesoft, and Hyperion Entertainment.
I want to point out that Runesoft sells the native Mac version of KAM in the Mac App Store:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/knights-merchants-shattered/id595411919?mt=12
How will it make a loss if the price of this game isn't so high for the Mac users?
Yes, and not. With Gorky 17 and other things, TopWare negotiate with Hyperion but still case is not unresolved. Even If they get game binary for Gorky 17 (Odium), they can't update it easy, because they not have source code. So they need also source, and this is probably lose. So game not update to the same version as Windows, and without integrates with steam... nice. So you chose what you want? Do you want have non native WINE port on steam, easy to install even on SteamOS, only install and play? Or maybe you want have nothing? Many players want it, even as WINE wrapper.
Why you thinking, that TopWare not want negotiate with it? So, you talking about LGP? So, LGP is quite dead, so they can't negotiate with LGP... They only can with Runesoft or Hyperion and they talking sometimes ago with hyperion... So?
I think you not know about history this company, right?
Old ports are also burdened with a number of licensing problems. Eg. Some games have been licensed only DISTRIBUTION own, so a company can not resell them, or share TopWare make it on Steam.
Other issues, often the contracts are concluded in time and their duration has expired long ago.
Sometimes the subject was the main developer who passed later transformation and is no longer a disposition of rights eg. A version for Linux. It must be taken consider these, especially since a lot of games from TopWare arose in Poland from Reality Pump, where the law is very strict and complicated. Keep that in mind.
Last edited by DamonLinuxPL on 12 March 2016 at 5:50 pm UTC
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I suppose many don't know about that, but there is open source project called KaM remake:
http://www.kamremake.com/
There is no Linux maintainer and code isn't really compatible with 32-bit as far as I aware, but it's feature complete and superior than old game. There also active multiplayer that work without any issues.
Last edited by SXX on 14 March 2016 at 2:03 am UTC
http://www.kamremake.com/
There is no Linux maintainer and code isn't really compatible with 32-bit as far as I aware, but it's feature complete and superior than old game. There also active multiplayer that work without any issues.
Last edited by SXX on 14 March 2016 at 2:03 am UTC
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