It’s been a long time since I’ve done this, but here’s part 5 in the series of me talking to developers about how their games have been selling on Linux.
If you missed the previous articles: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4.
Beamdog
For those who don’t recognise the name, Beamdog are the people behind revamps of classic RPG titles like Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition and Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition.
They gave some details about how Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition sold on Steam:
- 91.74% - Windows
- 6.22% - Mac
- 2.04% - Linux
Additionally, they also gave details about install numbers from their own Beamdog client:
- 91.13% - Windows
- 6.38% - Mac
- 2.49% - Linux
Here’s what Beamdog CTO, Scott Brooks had to say about Linux support:
QuoteWe really think the Infinity Engine games are something special and work hard to bring them to people that might not otherwise be able to play them. We've worked with professional and volunteer translators to help bring Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition to 14 languages, and we add things like Story Mode to help people who otherwise would have a hard time playing these great games. We've ported an engine that was originally built in the 16bit to 32bit transition to 64bit in order to let people continue enjoying these games. There are people on Linux that would love to play our games specifically on Linux, and we would love to let them.
Also, if you missed it I did an interview with Beamdog before, you can see that here.
MidBoss
MidBoss, the roguelike where you possess the bodies of your enemies released with Day-1 Linux support back in May. Here’s the figures their developer gave:
- 93.4 - Windows
- 4.7% - Mac
- 1.9% - Linux
Here’s what the developer of MidBoss had to say about supporting Linux now and in future:
QuoteI feel pretty good about supporting both platforms in MidBoss, particularly since Ethan Lee who made FNA did the ports and it wasn't too expensive. Without him they probably wouldn't have happened.
In the future I'll be using a new, completely custom framework that can create .NET executables as well as JavaScript/WebGL builds from a single C# codebase. We're planning to initially use the web builds with Electron to keep supporting Mac and Linux. This should perform just fine for smaller games such as Ultra Hat Dimension which is probably coming out on Steam in early 2018.
When we do wind up doing a bigger more demanding game again (MidBoss 2? Who knows!) I'll investigate getting the .NET versions working on Mac and Linux too. The .NET side uses OpenTK/OpenGL so it shouldn't be that difficult, hopefully, we just don't have the time/resources right now to go into it.
Milkstone Studios
To my surprise, Milkstone Studios were very open and sent over details about multiple titles!
White Noise 2
- 95.31% - Windows
- 4.06% - OSX
- 0.64% - Linux
Only Linux details given for these:
- Little Racers Street: 12.05%
- Pharaonic: 4.59%
- Ziggurat: 2.19%
- White Noise Online: 0.96%
It’s worth noting, that just before the release of Little Racers Street, I did an interview with Milkstone Studios about the title. That may have helped towards the rather high Linux percentage there.
Here’s what they said about continuing to support Linux:
Milkstone StudiosSeeing these numbers, look like Linux players are more used to single player experiences, so that might be the reason.
We support Linux on a pretty basic level (we're not Linux users ourselves, so we have limited experience with it). Linux support takes up lots of support time (I'd say around 20-25% of our support time is dedicated to addressing Linux issues), and it's hard to justify dedicating our time to this platform if sales for it are low. However, Unity allows for easy generation of Linux builds, and most of the work required for a proper port was done with Ziggurat, so for now we'll continue releasing games with Linux support, and trying to solve issues to the best of our knowledge.
While they weren’t able to give any specific details, I did speak to two of the bigger porters Feral Interactive and Aspyr Media.
Here’s what Feral Interactive had to say:
QuoteThe Linux market remains small in comparison to Mac, and tiny compared to Windows. Three years of bringing AAA games to Linux has taught us a lot about what works in sales terms, and what works less well. Although we had hoped that the Steam Machine would gain more traction, we have been pleasantly surprised by the Linux sales achieved on distros other than SteamOS, and continually encouraged by the passionate (and vocal!) audience of Linux gamers. However, we are disappointed by the promotion of piracy by some, which does disproportionate damage to the economics of bringing games to an already small platform.
Take a look at what Aspyr Media said:
QuoteOur Linux business continues to be an important part of our strategy going forward. We consider Linux a viable platform, and continue to make it a target goal of any deal we strike.
I did reach out to Virtual Programming, but they were extremely busy and didn't have time.
I would like to thank everyone who got back to me. Sadly some didn’t reply, but given how busy developers are actually making games, it’s all good!
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
slaapliedje Aug 3, 2017
And why wouldn't they have a hidden agenda against Desktop Linux? How many in the tech industry use Macs because they have a Unix-like environment underneath the shiny bits? Windows is just not good at administrating thousands of Linux servers. Macs are almost good enough if you can tolerate older versions of bash / python, etc. If it weren't for Apple lock-in for these people, I'm sure there would be more Desktop Linux users.
I'm still puzzled on what Mac owners are buying these games that don't get Linux ports. Most of them are too large and require more hardware than the majority of Macbooks have. Try running something like Mad Max on a intel chipset.. While there are ones out there with Nvidias, I'm betting that is a smaller majority. Then there are the PROs but who would spend that much money on something to game?
As far as the Metal vs Vulkan thing. Vulkan wasn't created mainly for Android, that was an afterthought. In fact only the most recent Android versions even support it. It was started as a low level API to replace openGL, which Apple had already long ago ditched. They created their own for lock-in there is only one reason to create an API that isn't cross platform. Same reason as MS not releasing DirectX everywhere.
I'm still puzzled on what Mac owners are buying these games that don't get Linux ports. Most of them are too large and require more hardware than the majority of Macbooks have. Try running something like Mad Max on a intel chipset.. While there are ones out there with Nvidias, I'm betting that is a smaller majority. Then there are the PROs but who would spend that much money on something to game?
As far as the Metal vs Vulkan thing. Vulkan wasn't created mainly for Android, that was an afterthought. In fact only the most recent Android versions even support it. It was started as a low level API to replace openGL, which Apple had already long ago ditched. They created their own for lock-in there is only one reason to create an API that isn't cross platform. Same reason as MS not releasing DirectX everywhere.
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Quoting: slaapliedjeAs far as the Metal vs Vulkan thing. Vulkan wasn't created mainly for Android, that was an afterthought. In fact only the most recent Android versions even support it. It was started as a low level API to replace openGL, which Apple had already long ago ditched. They created their own for lock-in there is only one reason to create an API that isn't cross platform. Same reason as MS not releasing DirectX everywhere.
Yep. I totally don't buy the argument "Metal was needed because Apple has some quirky hardware". Apple had all the time to join Vulkan working group, and address the needs of their hardware through participating in the API design. Apple didn't want to. Because lock-in.
Last edited by Shmerl on 3 August 2017 at 3:55 pm UTC
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[quote=Shmerl]
What about CUPS, WebKit, Swift, Darwin, OpenCL/Grand Central, Bonjour/Zeroconf, USB-C/Thunderbolt, FireWire, embracing of HTML5 instead of Flash, etc.?
I have the impression certain people like to cherry pick a lot just to find another reason to bash 'Evil Apple' instead of focusing on the real reasons why Linux adaption in gaming and on the desktop in general is lacking.
Apple is not preventing Linux from succeeding.
The lack of software people actually want and use on a daily basis (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office) and no flagship hardware/software company with an attractive Linux-specific product is more important than anything coming out of Cupertino.
Quoting: JanConsider other cases (besides graphics). Apple didn't join Alliance for Open Media (while even MS did). Apple refused to support WebRTC in desktop Safari, they refused to support MSE, trying to sabotage adoption of DASH, and so on and so forth. The bottom line, they are the most notorious lock-in jerks around and they are causing a lot of damage to the industry because of that.
What about CUPS, WebKit, Swift, Darwin, OpenCL/Grand Central, Bonjour/Zeroconf, USB-C/Thunderbolt, FireWire, embracing of HTML5 instead of Flash, etc.?
I have the impression certain people like to cherry pick a lot just to find another reason to bash 'Evil Apple' instead of focusing on the real reasons why Linux adaption in gaming and on the desktop in general is lacking.
Apple is not preventing Linux from succeeding.
The lack of software people actually want and use on a daily basis (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office) and no flagship hardware/software company with an attractive Linux-specific product is more important than anything coming out of Cupertino.
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Woah, I must have missed Planescape: Torment availability. Time to rectify that problem...
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Quoting: JanWhat about CUPS, WebKit, Swift, Darwin, OpenCL/Grand Central, Bonjour/Zeroconf, USB-C/Thunderbolt, FireWire, embracing of HTML5 instead of Flash, etc.?
Apple abandoned OpenCL as far as I know. Sure, in some cases they are doing something useful. But their general culture is very toxic.
Quoting: JanApple is not preventing Linux from succeeding.It's not about preventing. It's more about putting more roadblocks on purpose. They can't prevent it in the end.
Last edited by Shmerl on 3 August 2017 at 4:12 pm UTC
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Quoting: JanYour last paragraph is almost certainly true. But it does not actually counter anything anyone else is saying. If I have chickenpox and cancer, it is the cancer that is killing me--but it doesn't mean the chickenpox isn't there, or that it's wrong of me to ever complain about the chickenpox.Quoting: ShmerlConsider other cases (besides graphics). Apple didn't join Alliance for Open Media (while even MS did). Apple refused to support WebRTC in desktop Safari, they refused to support MSE, trying to sabotage adoption of DASH, and so on and so forth. The bottom line, they are the most notorious lock-in jerks around and they are causing a lot of damage to the industry because of that.
What about CUPS, WebKit, Swift, Darwin, OpenCL/Grand Central, Bonjour/Zeroconf, USB-C/Thunderbolt, FireWire, embracing of HTML5 instead of Flash, etc.?
I have the impression certain people like to cherry pick a lot just to find another reason to bash 'Evil Apple' instead of focusing on the real reasons why Linux adaption in gaming and on the desktop in general is lacking.
Apple is not preventing Linux from succeeding.
The lack of software people actually want and use on a daily basis (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office) and no flagship hardware/software company with an attractive Linux-specific product is more important than anything coming out of Cupertino.
Last edited by Purple Library Guy on 3 August 2017 at 4:16 pm UTC
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Quoting: slaapliedjeAnd why wouldn't they have a hidden agenda against Desktop Linux? How many in the tech industry use Macs because they have a Unix-like environment underneath the shiny bits? Windows is just not good at administrating thousands of Linux servers. Macs are almost good enough if you can tolerate older versions of bash / python, etc. If it weren't for Apple lock-in for these people, I'm sure there would be more Desktop Linux users.
I use Linux daily on my own PC, but I cannot put it on the machines of our employees because the software we need to run our business is simply not available for Linux. Fact.
The Mac for us is like the best of both worlds: Great hardware and software design, reliable and well supported, but still customisable thanks to the proper UNIX foundation. The ROI is convincing, ask our CFO.
Personally, I don't know a single person in the tech and startup world leading a vendetta against free software and Linux adaption on desktop. We all use it to run our servers and web services – we've got Ubuntu, Debian, elementary, etc. running in VMs and on certain machines.
But my people want Photoshop, not Gimp and Final Cut Pro and some like Excel, even though I don't like MS Office either. We're a 'choose your fave OS' kinda employer. But 99 % of people pick a MacBook Pro over a System76 equivalent running Ubuntu for example. Of course, we're just a super tiny fraction of the creative/tech market -- but that's been our experience in the last 15, 17 years.
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Quoting: Purple Library GuyYour last paragraph is almost certainly true. But it does not actually counter anything anyone else is saying. If I have chickenpox and cancer, it is the cancer that is killing me--but it doesn't mean the chickenpox isn't there, or that it's wrong of me to ever complain about the chickenpox.
That's true, but I listed several important open source technologies which Apple mainly contributed to or developed themselves. One of them is the foundation of their operating system and another the standard programming language on iOS and macOS.
However, I'm not Apple's advocate or lawyer, it's not my duty to defend their business moves. Apple going all-in on Vulkan would have been my choice, I have stated this several times before.
But they decided to do their own thing -- again, like a thousand times before.
They built their entire business on integrated, relatively closed down systems. It's how they roll. This might be wrong for you and me and Linux geek 52 on stackoverflow, but it doesn't influence Linux' success in a meaningful way.
Valve bravely ventured into Linux gaming to fight 'evil and locked-down' Microsoft. What's left three years later? No Witcher 3, no Street Fighter V, broken promises and a confusing, failed Steam Machines campaign.
I like SteamOS, run it daily on my couch PC, it just got another stable update two days ago. Dig what Valve still does. But will it really change anything?
Not until someone finally goes all-in on Linux/SteamOS and treats it as a priority project.
Linux gaming's problem is not Apple or Microsoft having a hidden agenda against open source -- it's no one in the Linux world is having any gaming related agenda at all.
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Quoting: JanThey built their entire business on integrated, relatively closed down systems. It's how they roll. This might be wrong for you and me and Linux geek 52 on stackoverflow, but it doesn't influence Linux' success in a meaningful way.
Lock-in has no impact only if those who push it are small players. Apple are far from small, they quite unfortunately have significant influence on various markets. So their anti-competitive moves cause actual damage (slowing down progress and so on). "That's how they roll" doesn't justify it in any way. You can repeat that "no agenda" argument, but it doesn't change the fact of actual damage caused.
Regarding Swift, Apple only opened it because of strong competition (Rust). Which is good in the end, but personally I'd prefer Rust by a huge margin. In general Apple is a complete opposite of openness when it comes to development tools.
Last edited by Shmerl on 3 August 2017 at 4:49 pm UTC
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Quoting: ShmerlLock-in has no impact only if those who push it are small players. Apple are far from small, they quite unfortunately have significant influence on various markets. So their anti-competitive moves cause actual damage (slowing down progress and so on). "That's how they roll" doesn't justify it in any way. You can repeat that "no agenda" argument, but it doesn't change the fact of actual damage caused.
Apple is a giant in mobile, but a dwarf on the desktop. If we're still discussing graphics APIs for demanding PC games I don't think the argument of "Apple is slowing down progress" is strong enough. How could they? They are only a fraction of the market and don't offer gaming specific hardware.
Microsoft and DirectX on the other hand is a different case. They're the elephant in the room of PC gaming and a big player in the console space with Xbox. I guess DirectX > Vulkan conversion and feature parity is the deciding factor for Linux in the future, not a handful of Metal titles.
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