2Dark released without a Linux version despite promising it during crowdfunding

Quoting: BelvarI think it would be worth noting in the article that it is the publisher, Bigben interactive, and not the developer that has stated the game would not come to GNU/Linux. They are also responsible for the game being on Steam only and being shipped with Denuvo (see the statement on gloomywood website).
I think Bigben is the one to blame in this case, Gloomywood was looking for a publisher after succeeding their crowdfunding campaign (you can argue that it is unethical, but a lot of indie studios do that) and the one that got their interested was clearly a shitty one.

I love Raynal's games (LBA2 is my favorite game ever) and I want to give them the benefit of the doubt.

I'm still quite angry and disappointed though, I really wanted this game to be good and successful... And I can't even play it.

Yep, I'm sure it is the publisher decision, but it was the developer who signed the publisher contract without honouring either of these previous "contracts" (Linux and no-DRM). And that's the problem right there - a kickstarter pledge isn't a contract, so you have to trust the developer to do the right thing.

They didn't, in this case, and I don't care at that point if it's the publisher's will that is imposing DRM - you trusted the developer and he shafted you.

The worst part is - the whole point of going for Kickstarter, at least in its infancy, was so that the public becomes the publisher. So this is a double let down - to kickstart with campaign promises, then seek a publisher anyway is itself pretty abhorrent, but then to chose a publisher that forces you to break those campaign promises... well, Gloomywood have lost a potential customer here even if their future titles support us.

Naughty step for them.

@scaine
Yeah, I agree with all of your points, I think I just reached the "acceptance" stage of grief...
Being betrayed by your video game developer idol sucks :(

Quoting: scaineThe worst part is - the whole point of going for Kickstarter, at least in its infancy, was so that the public becomes the publisher. So this is a double let down - to kickstart with campaign promises, then seek a publisher anyway is itself pretty abhorrent, but then to chose a publisher that forces you to break those campaign promises... well, Gloomywood have lost a potential customer here even if their future titles support us.

I disagree that using a publisher is necessarily always abhorrent. A successful crowdfunding campaign reduces a publisher's risk, which increases your leverage in getting what you want. You better be damn sure you'll maintain the freedom to fulfill your promises, though. Failing to do so is no different from promising Linux support, then using middleware that lacks Linux support.

Quoting: tofuheadhmm, it's a shame, looked interesting. but all this talk about broken promises seems a bit odd, because doesn't it quite clearly state in the "promises" that they MAY do a linux/mac versions but are NOT making any promises yet.. ?

or am I reading it wrong? ... just wondering..

.b

There is only one use of the word "Linux" on their crowdfunding page and that's the paragraph that Liam copied in this article. Where did you read anything else?

Never mind, I saw your reply now :P


Last edited by Cybolic on 13 March 2017 at 7:45 pm UTC

Quoting: Guest[...]
Their publisher's website says:

QuoteBigben and studio Gloomywood unveil the release date of 2Dark, available on March 17th for PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC.

https://www.bigben-interactive.co.uk/2dark-releases-next-month-on-march-17th

Fuck these guys.

Oh! So it is coming to Linux and Mac after all! ( "PC" ) :P

But yeah, to hell with this publisher.


Last edited by Cybolic on 13 March 2017 at 7:48 pm UTC

Quoting: cprnHonestly, I'm not disappointed at all. Learned that Windows developers are untruthful bitches long time ago. It's not even their fault, really... They just lack knowledge, skill and consistency. Period.

. period. is presumably longhand for an ellipsis?

Quoting: Duckeenie

Quoting: cprnHonestly, I'm not disappointed at all. Learned that Windows developers are untruthful bitches long time ago. It's not even their fault, really... They just lack knowledge, skill and consistency. Period.

. period. is presumably longhand for an ellipsis?

Not really. If English isn't your first language, then the best explanation I can think of is that the word "Period" as a one-word sentence is to emphasise the utter finality of the previous sentence. It's emphasising that this discussion is over. Nothing more to say.

Like if you do something awesome and exclaim, "Nothing can beat that. Period!"

Quoting: scaine

Quoting: Duckeenie

Quoting: cprnHonestly, I'm not disappointed at all. Learned that Windows developers are untruthful bitches long time ago. It's not even their fault, really... They just lack knowledge, skill and consistency. Period.

. period. is presumably longhand for an ellipsis?

Not really. If English isn't your first language, then the best explanation I can think of is that the word "Period" as a one-word sentence is to emphasise the utter finality of the previous sentence. It's emphasising that this discussion is over. Nothing more to say.

Like if you do something awesome and exclaim, "Nothing can beat that. Period!"

I was assuming it was a joke. If "period" = ".", then ".period." = "..." = ellipsis.

I think it must be clear that a linux version is not a feature of the game. A linux version is essential for the one paying for it, else he cannot play it. In other words: lacking the linux version in my opinion is not a partial delivery, but actually no delivery at all.
I think kickstarter probably now has contracts that prevent projects from having delivered nothing at all.

I took the time to write to ulule and Bigben a mail about this, it's probably pointless but I don't like the fact that this kind of stuff happens so often so I would like to know if this is the publisher's fault and if we can at least prevent them from pulling this scam again. I'll let you know if I ever receive any answers.