There's always going to be problems when developers are able to set anything they like on Steam with no proper checks from Valve. Despite listing SteamOS/Linux system requirements and showing a SteamOS icon, BATTALION 1944 [Steam] is not coming to Linux.
For the record, I value what Valve has done for Linux gaming. Their continued effort behind the scenes with VR work, Mesa and so on is awesome. However, that doesn't give them a free pass from criticism when I think they need to step up a bit.
Here's the problem in two pictures:
Notice it's on my wishlist—sigh. More importantly, the SteamOS icon to indicate Linux support.
Specifically note, the SteamOS + Linux system requirements.
The game has been showing up like that for quite a long time now. As it turns out, it's not actually coming to Linux with the Early Access release today (or at all).
I posted on their Steam forum to ask them about it back on October 9th, 2017 which never got an answer from the developer. Since then, I've made a reddit post, a post on their official forum, emailed them twice and sent probably 10+ tweets to ask them about it. I also tried their Discord, they didn't reply to a PM there and their actual normal chat was just—terrible, no chance of an answer there due to the types of people that inhabited it.
It was only yesterday (the day before release) in their announcement that they said this:
Good news Linux fans!
Linux distributed server files will be available February 1st for all your dedicated server hosting needs.
After the above, I wasn't too amused to see only server files being mentioned and no client. Today, we finally have a real answer. I managed to get their Lead Programmer to answer on Twitter, to confirm it is not coming to Linux.
I'll be honest, I'm quite sad and annoyed about this. I was very excited by the game myself, but it goes to show that you should never just trust what the Steam store shows.
What I will say, is do not give the BATTALION developers a hard time over this (especially since they didn't take pre-orders, so no one has lost money through Steam in this case). They still should have noticed what they had done, but ultimately it's not their store. Their communication was still poor though, they should have done better. I'm using them as an example to highlight the issue, but they're certainly not alone in this. This is not the first time it's happened and I've no doubt it will happen again, until Valve has some better verification in place to make sure games on Steam are actually coming to the advertised platforms.
This is where GOG does better. Even though they end up with less games, their attention to their store is a lot better. Valve, if you're reading, this sort of thing shouldn't happen. Please do better.
Ps. Day of Infamy is a good WWII shooter and supports Linux.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quoting: GuestSorry, but blaming Valve is wrong. It is up to the developer/publisher to indicate the supported platforms, and they can change this at any time. It is not set by Valve.ARMA 3 bug tracker wants a word with you about support.
edit: It's also amusing to note that I put exactly this information on r/linux_gaming, and instantly got downvoted. Now think about this - you wonder why companies are so hesitant to support Linux... it's because you guys are so fucking quick to BITE those who DO support you !
It's like, if I'm renting a house and someone vandalizes it and then the landlord never bothers to fix the damage. OK, the landlord (Valve) should be doing something. Nonetheless, the vandal (game developer) is not somehow blameless because of that. So I don't actually see why we should not be giving the BATTALION developers a hard time. Especially when you add in their totally crap communication. Maybe not an "OMG these people are evil" hard time, but certainly a "Get your bloody act together" hard time.
Quoting: GuestSorry, but blaming Valve is wrong. It is up to the developer/publisher to indicate the supported platforms, and they can change this at any time. It is not set by Valve.Ah, so you're going to bring it here as well as reddit. Challenge accepted!
edit: It's also amusing to note that I put exactly this information on r/linux_gaming, and instantly got downvoted. Now think about this - you wonder why companies are so hesitant to support Linux... it's because you guys are so fucking quick to BITE those who DO support you !
As I posted on reddit:
I blame them both, but Valve run the store so the ultimate checks should be down to them.
I am well aware developers can set stuff themselves, but it appears you missed the point of my editorial, that certain stuff needs checking. I would say especially so if its a new developer.
What is so wrong about expecting a store that sells stuff, to check it exists? Enlighten me.
Also, stop with over the top attitude. You take things WAY too seriously, because of your history working for Virtual Programming and the shit that happened around The Witcher 2, I can understand some of it. However, criticism is an essential part of showing companies, developers and so on how they can do better. No one is free from it, no one should be above it. I'm not and whenever people give me feedback, I act on it in public as soon as I can.
To claim "you guys are so fucking quick to BITE those who DO support you" is completely utter nonsense, you're making it seem a 100x worse than what it actually is.
People expect (and I guess in some civilized states, even the law says) that advertisement should be factual and correct.
Therefore (I leave this empty as homework for the reader to ponder these matters further)...
Last edited by Faattori on 1 February 2018 at 7:08 pm UTC
Quoting: GuestIf someone ran over you in a Ford car, would you:I don't even know how to counter that, because to be honest it's really nothing like this situation and you know it.
a) Blame the driver for being an inattentive wanker driving dangerously
b) Blame Ford for not making their car so it's impossible to run over people
If I buy product X from store Y and product X is not in the box, you're damn right the store should have checked.
Any argument against that, is basically an argument against consumers and I won't play.
Quoting: GuestIf someone ran over you in a Ford car, would you:
a) Blame the driver for being an inattentive wanker driving dangerously
b) Blame Ford for not making their car so it's impossible to run over people
For one we're not talking about cars. But digital goods in digital stores. A car I can touch and such. I almost know what I'm buying. With a digital store there is no such thing and no most users will not go to something like steamdb to check. The info on the store should be sound. PERIOD. No matter who has to set it. Both the producer and the store should check their stuff before adding it.
Let's not kid ourselves, Valve does a horrible job at checking it's wares.
--fixed some typos--
Last edited by ysblokje on 1 February 2018 at 7:24 pm UTC
Quoting: GuestIf someone ran over you in a Ford car, would you:Great analogy. I often run over people with software, and I sometimes happened to think "if only that software prevented me from running over people, that would be amazing".
a) Blame the driver for being an inattentive wanker driving dangerously
b) Blame Ford for not making their car so it's impossible to run over people
Then the alarm clock rings and I wake up.
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