Update: They have since changed the name of it on Steam to "Arma: Cold War Assault Mac/Linux" which should help avoid some confusion.
Arma: Cold War Assault [Steam] is now available for Linux & Mac, but it does not support Steamplay with the Windows version. So Steam now has a Windows version and then an entirely separate store entry for the Linux/Mac version.
It's the same price for the different versions, but Virtual Programming (the porters) have confirmed to me this is not a mistake. They also confirmed to me that multiplayer is cross platform between Linux, Mac and Windows so that's good to have at least.
This isn't the first game on Steam to force you to buy it on a different platform. Aspyr Media's 'Call of Duty: Black Ops - Mac Edition' was also one such game that did this.
I really hope this isn't the shape of things to come, as I really don't agree with having to buy for a different operating system on the same hardware on PC. As much as I truly want to support more Linux ports from VP (as Bioshock was a fantastic port, as was DiRT Showdown), I am heavily torn by this. Torn, as I likely will still buy it to support VP to continue porting as I want more Linux ports and to try a game on Linux I never tried on Windows.
Another issue, is the platform icons and how this will again cause confusion for gamers. The SteamOS icon in particular has been repeatedly confusing for people. Hopefully by now most people on Windows already have it, as it could create some support and refund headaches for people who don't properly look at the platform icons.
One thing it will stop, is grey-market keys for the Windows version being used for it. So practically all Linux gamers wanting this will be forced to pay for it properly. That redeems it a little, since I really don't like grey-market stores.
About the game
Bohemia Interactive's debut game published by Codemasters as Operation Flashpoint in 2001, became genre-defining combat military simulation and the No. 1 bestselling PC game around the world and has won many international awards, including “Game of The Year” and “Best Action Game”. Over 2 million copies have been sold since its release.
Storyline
The horrors of WWIII are imminent. There are clashes over the Malden Islands from dusk to dawn and you are caught in-between. You must use all of the available resources in your arsenal to hold back the incoming darkness. Victor Troska came back to Nogovo, he thought the pain of war was left buried in his past.
But his dream lies broken now.
His worst nightmare returns when military forces lands near Nogovo. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Arma: Cold War Assault [Steam] is now available for Linux & Mac, but it does not support Steamplay with the Windows version. So Steam now has a Windows version and then an entirely separate store entry for the Linux/Mac version.
It's the same price for the different versions, but Virtual Programming (the porters) have confirmed to me this is not a mistake. They also confirmed to me that multiplayer is cross platform between Linux, Mac and Windows so that's good to have at least.
This isn't the first game on Steam to force you to buy it on a different platform. Aspyr Media's 'Call of Duty: Black Ops - Mac Edition' was also one such game that did this.
I really hope this isn't the shape of things to come, as I really don't agree with having to buy for a different operating system on the same hardware on PC. As much as I truly want to support more Linux ports from VP (as Bioshock was a fantastic port, as was DiRT Showdown), I am heavily torn by this. Torn, as I likely will still buy it to support VP to continue porting as I want more Linux ports and to try a game on Linux I never tried on Windows.
Another issue, is the platform icons and how this will again cause confusion for gamers. The SteamOS icon in particular has been repeatedly confusing for people. Hopefully by now most people on Windows already have it, as it could create some support and refund headaches for people who don't properly look at the platform icons.
One thing it will stop, is grey-market keys for the Windows version being used for it. So practically all Linux gamers wanting this will be forced to pay for it properly. That redeems it a little, since I really don't like grey-market stores.
About the game
Bohemia Interactive's debut game published by Codemasters as Operation Flashpoint in 2001, became genre-defining combat military simulation and the No. 1 bestselling PC game around the world and has won many international awards, including “Game of The Year” and “Best Action Game”. Over 2 million copies have been sold since its release.
Storyline
The horrors of WWIII are imminent. There are clashes over the Malden Islands from dusk to dawn and you are caught in-between. You must use all of the available resources in your arsenal to hold back the incoming darkness. Victor Troska came back to Nogovo, he thought the pain of war was left buried in his past.
But his dream lies broken now.
His worst nightmare returns when military forces lands near Nogovo. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
nadrolinux Mar 14, 2017
I already bought version for Linux/macOS (I had version for Windows too), but at now I have two entries of the same game in Steam library... I fully understand that VP want to receive some money for works related to porting this game and it's ok for me, but instead of 2 separate games I would prefer that there is just one entry for Arma: CWA on Steam and support for two additional platforms (Linux and macOS in this case) will be available in some form of DLC for existing game.
0 Likes
Comandante Ñoñardo Mar 14, 2017
I like what they did.
If You want to play the game on Linux and support Linux as a gaming platform, pay for it and don't play it for free like if it were a residual of Windows...
This is THE BEST way to track Linux numbers, is the best way to support the Linux platform and should be an standard for all publishers from now and then.
I'm very sure that Bohemia will get a higher cut from the sales of the Linux version than the cut of the Windows version...
and that is the way to go if Valve want to make SteamOS/Linux a viable business platform.
If You want to play the game on Linux and support Linux as a gaming platform, pay for it and don't play it for free like if it were a residual of Windows...
This is THE BEST way to track Linux numbers, is the best way to support the Linux platform and should be an standard for all publishers from now and then.
I'm very sure that Bohemia will get a higher cut from the sales of the Linux version than the cut of the Windows version...
and that is the way to go if Valve want to make SteamOS/Linux a viable business platform.
1 Likes, Who?
DamonLinuxPL Mar 14, 2017
Quoting: LintuxVP want earn Money.... What a shame!
I buyed it twice, but i buy it a third Time. I want more Linux Ports. And i want a Finish Arma 3 Port. THX VP
Quoting: nadrolinuxII fully understand that VP want to receive some money for works related to porting this game and it's ok for me, but instead of 2 separate games I would prefer that there is just one entry for Arma: CWA on Steam and support for two additional platforms (Linux and macOS in this case) will be available in some form of DLC for existing game.
We don't know for sure if this is decision VP or main developer/publisher Bohemia. We don't know if VP gets money from every Linux sale or they get money only once for porting it to Linux.
Last edited by DamonLinuxPL on 14 March 2017 at 5:50 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
I have bought it immediately. I love this game and it is working fine :)
Thank you for this port!
I only wish to add Czech translation as it is czech game :)
Great times!
Thank you for this port!
I only wish to add Czech translation as it is czech game :)
Great times!
4 Likes, Who?
This is strange... As the game is ported by Virtual Programming by using eON, the Windows build is there under the hood which means cross-play between GNU/Linux, macOS and Windows shouldn't be an issue. When Feral Interactive fails to deliver Linux/Mac to Windows multiplayer due to "differences in the maths" on different operating systems, it is bitter but understandable.
But, selling cross-platform multiplayer compatible game with different app id is "a bit" greedy. VP clearly does not want to deal with OS statistics to divide the income with Bohemia Interactive. Thankfully the price point is so low that it wouldn't be counted as a big issue. But I dearly hope that wouldn't turn into a common custom for Linux games.
But, selling cross-platform multiplayer compatible game with different app id is "a bit" greedy. VP clearly does not want to deal with OS statistics to divide the income with Bohemia Interactive. Thankfully the price point is so low that it wouldn't be counted as a big issue. But I dearly hope that wouldn't turn into a common custom for Linux games.
0 Likes
Not exactly optimal it not being Steamplay. But I am not going to lose any sleep over it either. I did not buy it before it was ported, and I am never going to play it on Windows, so it changes absolutely nothing for me.
I am a big fan of the original Operation Flashpoint, and I am happy I can now replay it on Linux. An yes, paying €5 is totally worth it.
(Assuming it works well, which I haven't tried yet.)
I am a big fan of the original Operation Flashpoint, and I am happy I can now replay it on Linux. An yes, paying €5 is totally worth it.
(Assuming it works well, which I haven't tried yet.)
1 Likes, Who?
I see people complaining because they can't replay a
title that has already counted as a Windows sale.
VP made the right choice here.
title that has already counted as a Windows sale.
VP made the right choice here.
7 Likes, Who?
Quoting: tomasjI have bought it immediately. I love this game and it is working fine :)
Thank you for this port!
I only wish to add Czech translation as it is czech game :)
Great times!
I am not sure about czech version on Steam - even Windows version on Steam does not have it. But on store.bistudio.com is standalone Czech version (only Windows version right now, which I own), maybe they will add Czech Linux version on BI store, but I doubt about Steam Czech Linux version since Steam Windows version does not have it too (at least i can not find it at supported languages).
0 Likes
kernel.havok Mar 15, 2017
If it bring more functioning games to linux then I'd gladly rebuy games TBH. Developers are hardly rushing out to support games on the platform.
2 Likes, Who?
cRaZy-bisCuiT Mar 16, 2017
Maybe it's good not to buy the game so we don't get additional eOn "ports" as well as we don't support this kind of behaviour. The publisher as well as the porter should make sure they have a fair deal and they shouldn't make us pay again.
I totally got the point but it's like Valve introduced "SteamPlay" but then "they took an arrow to the knee". (;
I totally got the point but it's like Valve introduced "SteamPlay" but then "they took an arrow to the knee". (;
0 Likes
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