Stardock CEO asking to see interest in Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation on Linux with Vulkan

Just bring it already, and don't care to much about the trash talk. Waste of time.

Quoting: EhvisI generally share mirv's opinion on the matter. I don't like these threads, whether they are started by users or developers. I don't think they serve any practical use. Only a small number will users will ever reply to them. So after that, you're still left with the same question: how many people could potentially be interested. Ideally you'd want developers to create a port because it's the right thing to do. It happens (kudos to those that do), but the norm is that the investment must be earner back with profit. So then developers still have to go back to the general statistics, decide if there are reasons why sales may be higher or lower among Linux users, and determine whether this is worth their porting investment. So if the thread is useful at all, it will be to point the finger at how few people responded and that a port is not feasible because of it.

So no, I won't respond to such requests, even if I want the game.

Also keep in mind that there are not only developers in a company. Management often makes decisions like these, and I wouldn't be surprised if this thread was from a developer trying to show management that there's money to be made on the platform.

Not every game studio is a two person company with a CEO that's a developer with strong moral principles. As sad as it might be, a lot of them are here to do what companies do; maximize profit (though there are some outliers).

I for one wouldn't throw the rock at this person outreaching to us.


Last edited by MayeulC on 30 May 2017 at 6:06 am UTC

Quoting: MayeulC

Quoting: EhvisI generally share mirv's opinion on the matter. I don't like these threads, whether they are started by users or developers. I don't think they serve any practical use. Only a small number will users will ever reply to them. So after that, you're still left with the same question: how many people could potentially be interested. Ideally you'd want developers to create a port because it's the right thing to do. It happens (kudos to those that do), but the norm is that the investment must be earner back with profit. So then developers still have to go back to the general statistics, decide if there are reasons why sales may be higher or lower among Linux users, and determine whether this is worth their porting investment. So if the thread is useful at all, it will be to point the finger at how few people responded and that a port is not feasible because of it.

So no, I won't respond to such requests, even if I want the game.

Also keep in mind that there are not only developers in a company. Management often makes decisions like these, and I wouldn't be surprised if this thread was from a developer trying to show management that there's money to be made on the platform.

Not every game studio is a two person company with a CEO that's a developer with strong moral principles. As sad as it might be, a lot of them are here to do what companies do; maximize profit (though there are some outliers).

I for one wouldn't throw the rock at this person outreaching to us.

This person, as mentioned in the article, IS the CEO of Stardock.

Quoting: liamdawe

Quoting: MayeulC

Quoting: EhvisI generally share mirv's opinion on the matter. I don't like these threads, whether they are started by users or developers. I don't think they serve any practical use. Only a small number will users will ever reply to them. So after that, you're still left with the same question: how many people could potentially be interested. Ideally you'd want developers to create a port because it's the right thing to do. It happens (kudos to those that do), but the norm is that the investment must be earner back with profit. So then developers still have to go back to the general statistics, decide if there are reasons why sales may be higher or lower among Linux users, and determine whether this is worth their porting investment. So if the thread is useful at all, it will be to point the finger at how few people responded and that a port is not feasible because of it.

So no, I won't respond to such requests, even if I want the game.

Also keep in mind that there are not only developers in a company. Management often makes decisions like these, and I wouldn't be surprised if this thread was from a developer trying to show management that there's money to be made on the platform.

Not every game studio is a two person company with a CEO that's a developer with strong moral principles. As sad as it might be, a lot of them are here to do what companies do; maximize profit (though there are some outliers).

I for one wouldn't throw the rock at this person outreaching to us.

This person, as mentioned in the article, IS the CEO of Stardock.

Whoops, I just realized that when reading the notification title.
My bad, I read the article a few days back, but the comments only today.

Anyway, it was meant as a general remark, not necessarily a theory for this story. And to be fair, CEOs as well sometimes have to explain their motives tho the sales Dept :P
Or could be asking on the behalf of someone else/after a team meeting, or something different altogether.

What I mean here, is that it is not that simple to judge their motives, and they shouldn't be speculated upon (or at least, you shouldn't act on them). All we know is that they are interested in knowing who is interested; just say so if you are ;)

Although I can understand @mirv, it is not necessarily a good thing to just ignore completely this thread, especially if we can't tell the exact logic behind it.

Just my 2 cents, but I hope this is clearer.

Quoting: STiAT

Quoting: Mountain Man

QuoteIf you are interested in a Linux version, please sign here.

Oh give me break. Of course there is interest in a Linux version. Why do developers even bother asking this question?

The question is: How large is the interest? Could a port be worth it? Is it worth the risk?

Yeah, you're not going to get that information through an informal, voluntary survey on a message forum. You need to do an accrual marketing study.

Looks like I just got the game, but unfortunately I'm unable to play it as it's not yet on Linux!

So Ashes of the Singularity is in the current Humble Monthly.. So my guess is half the the ppl responding with +1 in the list will already own it once released on Linux officially. Probably not even counting as a Linux sale. ;-)

DLCs might still be worth it for them. Maybe.

I mean it's just a feeling, I might be totally wrong here. Still, I would have bought it directly on Steam and no I won't / don't have to.

I wasn't that interested in it before, but now that it's unredeemed in my Humble Bundle account, I'd like Linux support. :)