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Sad news, it seems GOG Galaxy won't actually be released for Linux any time soon. They may eventually get to it, but it's "not a priority".

For those that don't know, GOG now have their own Steam-like client called Galaxy. It offers things like Cloud Saves, an in-game overlay, bandwidth limiting, capturing screenshots, desktop notifications and more.

While optional, a fair few games have begun depending on it and therefore they end up not releasing Linux versions on GOG. A problem that has increased recently with a few titles.

All discussion on it, can be found in this post on the GOG forum. I would link to stuff directly, but it appears their links to specific posts don't actually do anything.

Here's one that caught my attention when sent it earlier:
QuoteWe're not posting any news, as we have no news on GOG Galaxy for Linux. As we stated before we'll eventually bring it to Linux, but currently it's not a priority for us, and we don't have any estimated date to share at this moment.

They continued in another post:
QuoteI'm not saying we're not able to, or we don't know how. But building and maintaining a Linux build will cost us resources, which as in every company are limited. Currently we're not able to spend the time required considering our internal roadmap.

And another:
QuoteGOG Galaxy was made with cross platform compatibility in mind, but each platform is a constant cost (dev, qa) . With our roadmap we don't currently have the resources to maintain the Linux version.


It's a real shame for those who don't like Steam for various reasons and prefer GOG, this is a bit of a let down really. Especially considering this is the first solid reply we've had since Galaxy was announced in 2014. It feels like we've been waiting all this time for something, when it wasn't even being planned for yet. If you go to the official GOG Galaxy page and you're quick enough, it will flash text below the download button which includes "and soon for Linux".

Personally, I really hope more developers put their games on itch.io. They offer a good service, their site is nice, their open source client is also pretty slick. Not saying GOG are bad or evil (I'm very fond of GOG's work to bring classics back to life with DOSBox), but it's good to have alternatives.

It should go without saying, but when speaking to developers, it pays to remain as polite as possible. Also remember, this person likely isn't the one making the decisions on this. Don't shoot the messenger. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Editorial, GOG
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137 comments
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jo3fis Aug 19, 2017
I bought Divinity OS Enhanced Edition and realised there was no online multiplayer due to no Linux client.

My fault for not reading store page fully but still a bit gutted. I wished I had bought it in steam like I was originally going to.

I don't think I have bought anything on there since and I had previously bought a number of titles. I will probably buy something from gog in the future but find myself trying to avoid it.

I had been hoping for the linux client to be released or just progress but it was becoming obvious that the Linux plans had been postponed.

That's just my customer experience.
Mezron Aug 19, 2017
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Somehow this post made me really sad. I was expecting GOG Galaxy for Linux any time soon (as they wrote).

BTW GOG.com is now selling these "Pinata" things, where you get a random game. I bought 4 Pinatas and guess what: all games are Windows-only. Such a fail. Somehow did not expect that.

Ask them for refunds mate, and be sure to tell them why!

I forgot the name of the last event that I was a part of but I kept on getting Windows games as a prize and I emailed support and they kept on resetting the event prize thing for me until I got a Linux game. Took about 3 tries and 3 emails back and forth.

Excellent customer service on GOG's part.

200 games... But how do you update them? Even if you just install 10% it would be a lot of manual work. The thing is, nobody expects from GOG to offer all features on Linux, just the basics like install and update games. This is not really any effort for them, I don't believe them.

I don't have an issue with updating stuff manually, and would prefer it to any closed client. The main problem is not inconvenience, but whole games missing from GOG because of Galaxy.

I don't mind manually updating my games either. Would be nice if Steam gave us that option but I'm not holding my breath.

Maybe everyone shouldn't just assume they don't care or think the platform is crap. Maybe you should look at it from a business perspective. GOG has been short staffed for a long time. Just look at the current openings they have https://www.gog.com/work.

Try working at a software dev shop when you're short staffed. Things have to be put on the back burner for sanity sake. Everyone is already doing extra work to just try and stay afloat.

But again this community goes straight to assuming the worst and trying to paint anyone who doesn't give more than they have as anti-Linux.

^ This. GOG has Linux games for sale/free - The devs are getting support and $$$ for supporting Linux. It's a groovy time people. I think more us have to ask GOG how can we help them bring that client online, if you are really gungho for it.
Darkdisorder78 Aug 19, 2017
Looks like I won't be supporting GOG again. Whatever and you keep your stupid client on windows. The steam client is 100% better.
lucifertdark Aug 19, 2017
Linux gaming will survive & thrive even without GOG support, I'm sure they'll get by just fine without us too, I will spend my money where my gaming platform of choice is supported.
Alm888 Aug 19, 2017
Well, let's be more impersonal. We all already knew GOG is utilizing zero cost policy towards Linux: no in-house ports, no attempts to persuade developers. Now, we have just another one added to this list: no additional expenses for Galaxy. And given GOG is the only one besides Steam to support regional pricing, it is still reasonable to get games there and not on Humble Store. Of course if Humble has Linux exclusives (DRM-free), then I will get them on Humble.

Kinda ironic "CD PROJECT S.A." is aiming to directly compete with Valve:
GOG.com business objectives
To create a catalogue of brand-new AAA releases fully supported by GOG Galaxy; to turn GOG Galaxy into a technological foundation upon which gamers can access videogames produced by CD PROJEKT RED and interact with one another.
while being cheapsakes. :P

But with all honesty… We asked to "bring existing Linux versions of games" and we got just that. There were no deal on GOG actually spending money on Linux-related development. No, if only there were no Galaxy binding in those recent multiplayer games…
TheRiddick Aug 19, 2017
The developer has turned it's back on Linux ever since the Witcher3 fiasco. Kinda sad.


Last edited by TheRiddick on 19 August 2017 at 8:20 am UTC
lucifertdark Aug 19, 2017
I asked to GoG to delete my account. No more € for these fucking liars !!!

FUCK YOU GOG !!!
FUCK YOU GOG !!!
It's not lying, it's a business decision, they obviously feel the outlay to support Linux won't be covered by sales, which is a rational choice, at least they were polite about it, it's the least we can do in return.
Duckeenie Aug 19, 2017
[quote=tmtvl]
Steam is not your friend. Just because they decide they want to milk Linux users as well does not make them Linux-friendly. It simply makes them indiscriminate vultures.

Of course Steam is a company like any other that is driven by profit, but don't forget that Linux gaming was practically non existent without them. Also vulture is an unfair analogy because they don't give anything other than crap in return for what the take.
BabaoWhisky Aug 19, 2017
Sorry but they're layers. They promised Linux version on Galaxy's website and now there will be nothing for us.

So yes, GoG is a fucking bastard
TheBard Aug 19, 2017
That's a good attitude to take if you'd like to ensure they never change their priorities.

When someone does not want you, the good thing to do is to accept that and search someone else who wants you
Crazy Penguin Aug 19, 2017
Well, because of the still missing Galaxy Client and poorly Linux Support I have a lot more games on Steam meanwhile and spend a lot more money on Steam & other Stores then on GOG. Meanwhile I fill my Library on GOG only if the games on Sale, with at least 80% off.

In short: GOG sucks!
Tchey Aug 19, 2017
Itchio is still the best so far to my knowledge about dev/price/player relations, DRM policy (none), client weight and stability, ease of use and all. But it may be because it's still "confidential". If they get millions of users as Steam has, i guess it would change a lot.
crt0mega Aug 19, 2017
Sad, but not unexpected.
Perkeleen_Vittupää Aug 19, 2017
Haven't spent a dime ever on GOG. Does this make me wanna? Hmm.
dorron Aug 19, 2017
IMO all the companies complaining there's no linux market should think first a market needs to be created. How will there ever be a great market if they don't start it up? Of course, it's an investment that would take many years, but... did we need cellphones before they were offered to us? And now we can't live without them.

Also, a small market can be big enough if there are only a few companies competing...


Last edited by dorron on 19 August 2017 at 10:18 am UTC
bolokanar Aug 19, 2017
Somehow this post made me really sad. I was expecting GOG Galaxy for Linux any time soon (as they wrote).

BTW GOG.com is now selling these "Pinata" things, where you get a random game. I bought 4 Pinatas and guess what: all games are Windows-only. Such a fail. Somehow did not expect that.
Well you can contact support. Their support is great.


On the topic: Well it was quiet clear that they didn't have it on their priorities (as in on the very bottom). Now you at least have it stated.
finaldest Aug 19, 2017
When GOG fist started out I became a frequent user but as time passed I stopped.

As a windows user at the time, they simply did not offer most games I wanted so I stuck with Steam, Origin and Uplay. As I am now a Linux user they offer nothing of interest to me so I no longer use GOG and this announcement just further strengthens that position.

When Steam announced Linux support it brought linux to my attention. I had never used it before and the final push happened when the "get win 10" nagware got to much. If not for Valve I would not be a linux user or even a PC gamer today as steam effectively saved PC gaming.

If and When GOG change their attitude I will happily consider their store again but remember this, Steam has done a lot for us pc gamers and that is why so many are loyal to steam, myself included.
Xpander Aug 19, 2017
F GoG. Not gonna buy from them until they provide official client which is able to update games automatically.
Don't want to deal with Manual updates or some half-baked unofficial tools. Their game selection is pretty bad anyway for linux, im not into retro games too much anyway.
BTRE Aug 19, 2017
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Hey guys, I know that for some emotions are running high and you may be frustrated but please try to keep things civil. We tolerate some swearing but excessive profanity is a no-no. Your comments may be edited or deleted, and you may eventually be banned, if you do it too much.

As for the article: I don't have that much more to add that hasn't been said already. As someone with hundreds of games being able to update without downloading the whole thing again is handy. My other main concern is about GOG's curation—what games get on there seems arbitrary. I recently covered Aztez whose developer stated that they outright rejected the game from being on the store. They're available DRM-free on Humble and itch, though, as has been my experience with other games, so I favor these alternatives when recommending stores to my friends. Plus, finally, I try to reward those who are proactive in helping Linux gaming so having developers contribute to the Linux ecosystem (Valve with Mesa for example) and/or helping to port titles (both Valve and Humble) makes me less inclined to see GOG as my first port of call.
hm11 Aug 19, 2017
I was really sad when i saw the title, i thought "how can something so I guess, simplistic (since i always have seen Gog galaxy as some sort of game-update-management & site website-desktop integration client) not be done for Linux?" it seems odd to have titles that are for Linux yet not Gog galaxy for the platform... but then i saw this;

While optional, a fair few games have begun depending on it and therefore they end up not releasing Linux versions on GOG. A problem that has increased recently with a few titles.

And i went like "Oohh" I began feeling kind of glad yet still a bit disappointed because the only reason why i buy from Gog is because the games don't have to depend on steam..


Last edited by hm11 on 19 August 2017 at 12:46 pm UTC
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