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:
They continued in another post:
And another:
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.
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.
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The comments on this article are closed.
I don't mind directly downloading and installing the executables for use and archival purposes.
If Galaxy was free software, then cool. Since its not, there's no big loss for me in not having it.
If Galaxy was free software, then cool. Since its not, there's no big loss for me in not having it.
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No Galaxy sadly means that GOG will stay a tertiary game store (at best) for me. I might use it to get some data files for certain games that have engine replacements on Linux but it's highly unlikely I will buy anything else from there. I have a fairly sizable games library and I just will not re-download dozens of games to get my patches, not to mention having to track when these games actually do receive updates. It's a shame really, I appreciate the whole DRM-free idea but I am not willing to sacrifice that much convenience for an issue that ultimately doesn't end up affecting me a whole lot.
Oh, and not to mention the quite vast difference between how much GOG and Valve support our platform. Haven't heard of GOG hiring people to work on Mesa for example.
Oh, and not to mention the quite vast difference between how much GOG and Valve support our platform. Haven't heard of GOG hiring people to work on Mesa for example.
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Quoting: BTREI recently covered Aztez whose developer stated that they outright rejected the game from being on the store.LOL! If the developers are not lying then the reasoning is:
QuoteYeah, GOG said their audience is too narrative-driven, they declined the game awhile ago.Considering they are not accepting visual novels for being too narrative. :D Apparently it is very hard to fit in GOG's "Procrustean Bed" of gaming. :P
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Avehicle7887 Aug 19, 2017
Much of the problem with this is not the client itself, but the way games are depending on it. If GOG at least provides devs with stub Api's, part of the problem would be solved and Linux users could at least play Single player mode.
Another thing that it's very important to mention is that game Devs don't even bother (or try) to take their Steam versions and make them DRM-Free. It is not an impossible task, For the record: When the dev for Crypt of the Necrodancer didn't release a Linux version on GOG because there was no Galaxy, seeing as many people were angry about it, a couple of days later he released the Linux version on GOG without multiplayer, so what's stopping game devs from doing the same?
Personally I don't give a damn about the client, automatic updates, achievements and cloud saves. All I want is to play the game.
Another thing that it's very important to mention is that game Devs don't even bother (or try) to take their Steam versions and make them DRM-Free. It is not an impossible task, For the record: When the dev for Crypt of the Necrodancer didn't release a Linux version on GOG because there was no Galaxy, seeing as many people were angry about it, a couple of days later he released the Linux version on GOG without multiplayer, so what's stopping game devs from doing the same?
Personally I don't give a damn about the client, automatic updates, achievements and cloud saves. All I want is to play the game.
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oberjaeger Aug 19, 2017
Maybe paradox would build an marketplace open for other developers. I think you can break these things down to some apis that can be used by any developer to link to their customers. Decentralised as the internet used to be and should be.
Who needs centralized services that break sooner or later (thinking in decades not years). What will be left of steam, battle.net or origin in 10 to 20 years. Solutions like email, nfs, etc are here to stay, everything closed ist not.
Who needs centralized services that break sooner or later (thinking in decades not years). What will be left of steam, battle.net or origin in 10 to 20 years. Solutions like email, nfs, etc are here to stay, everything closed ist not.
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Quoting: Alm888Well, 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:
QuoteGOG.com business objectiveswhile being cheapsakes. :P
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.
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…
Some of their SNK/Neo Geo games have Linux versions on HB but not on GOG.
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Quoting: wawalkenhorstMaybe paradox would build an marketplace open for other developers. I think you can break these things down to some apis that can be used by any developer to link to their customers. Decentralised as the internet used to be and should be.How do you ensure your paying customers have access for ever, also after the store die, but prevent access from people who didn't buy the game?
Who needs centralized services that break sooner or later (thinking in decades not years). What will be left of steam, battle.net or origin in 10 to 20 years. Solutions like email, nfs, etc are here to stay, everything closed ist not.
The best thing I can come up with at the moment is a solution where the games are publicly available in encrypted form and paying customers get access to the key, but I don't see how you can do that in a way that is both userfriendly and secure enough for the game developers/owners to accept the solution. It would be very easy for a single customer to leak the key. I also doubt random people/companies would be willing to mirror the encrypted files.
I bought a few games for linux directly from developer. Some of those web sites are not available any more, so I have to start taking backup of the installation files if I want to be sure I can play it again in the future. I prefer fewer centralized stores over that, because they are less likely to shut down. Well, desura did shut down.
Last edited by Ketil on 19 August 2017 at 1:43 pm UTC
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oberjaeger Aug 19, 2017
Quoting: Ketil...
How do you ensure your paying customers have access for ever, also after the store die, but prevent access from people who didn't buy the game?
...
Well, ensuring ist difficult, but when the developer closes down he usually sells the software to someone else, that guy could provide the services, if no one takes over the games could become open source or at least free to use.
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Quoting: g000hFor people going on about Steam client being proprietary closed source... well the GOG Galaxy client for Windows is the same. Also what is your issue with Game Clients being Closed Source, when the Games themselves which you want to install and play are closed source. I'm directing this at Shmerl's position. Surely if you need to run open source everywhere, then that should also include the Game code itself?
This is exactly what I was thinking and going to post. Some people will only use an open source graphics driver to run their closed source game? Logic implosion! Someone please explain that one.
I'd love the world to be open source and it's something to strive for certainly. I detest hypocrisy too.
Last edited by fabertawe on 19 August 2017 at 2:44 pm UTC
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Quoting: GuestQuoting: fabertaweQuoting: g000hFor people going on about Steam client being proprietary closed source... well the GOG Galaxy client for Windows is the same. Also what is your issue with Game Clients being Closed Source, when the Games themselves which you want to install and play are closed source. I'm directing this at Shmerl's position. Surely if you need to run open source everywhere, then that should also include the Game code itself?
This is exactly what I was thinking and going to post. Some people will only use an open source graphics driver to run their closed source game? Logic implosion! Someone please explain that one.
I'd love the world to be open source and it's something to strive for certainly. I detest hypocrisy too.
Needing proprietary software to use your hardware is different to choosing. It's the choice that people want, even if it's not an exclusive choice.
Fair enough. It's the people who are vehemently opposed to closed source who don't apply it to everything they use who are hypocritical.
Edit: Perhaps I should have said "who don't apply it to everything they use - where that possibility does exist and they actually have that choice".
Last edited by fabertawe on 19 August 2017 at 3:11 pm UTC
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