Rise to Ruins [Steam, Official Site, itch.io], the rather excellent indie godlike village simulator is a favourite of mine and here's some information on how it's doing on Linux.
In terms of lifetime sales for the title on Steam, the developer shared these numbers:
- Windows: 90.36%
- Mac: 7.17%
- Linux: 2.47%
When we break it down a bit further, taking a look at just December 2017 for example, we get these numbers:
- Windows: 92.7%
- Mac: 5.45%
- Linux: 1.85%
While obviously small, the numbers are in-line with what we've seen a few times, it's also much higher than the currently reported Linux market share on the Steam Hardware Survey. This is a similar situation as seen with games like Maia, Helium Rain and Deep Sixed in regards to a higher share of Linux sales than developers might have expected.
What's interesting, is that the developer also shared the percentages per-platform of actual players who loaded it up during December, where Linux accounted for approximately 5.12%. The developer actually did a big release in December too, which can likely account for the extra attention, even so that's a healthy amount of Linux gamers remaining interested (which is good!).
As for their current thoughts on supporting Linux:
Still pretty much the same as before honestly. I mean, the blunt harsh truth is the 2-3% of sales really doesn't make much of a difference. But I still think we should be supporting the platform anyway, and it's not like it's that much extra work now a days to do it.
And, like I said before, if everyone supported Linux more people would switch over.
If you want to grab a copy, head over to Steam or itch.io.
Thank you to the developer Raymond Doerr for speaking to me! If you wish to have a chat about Linux sales of your games, email in any time or catch us on Twitter.
QuoteStill pretty much the same as before honestly. I mean, the blunt harsh truth is the 2-3% of sales really doesn't make much of a difference.
83,876 ± 8,990 owners
https://steamdb.info/app/328080/graphs/
QuoteWhat's interesting, is that the developer also shared the percentages per-platform of actual players who loaded it up during December, where Linux accounted for approximately 5.12%.This is also something I thought about. Many people buy on platform A, then play on platform A, B or C - whatever they currently use.
I also buy the vast majority of games on Windows - since it is currently the platform I (have to :( ) use for work, then install and play them on linux whenever I get the chance.
Quoting: TheSHEEEPQuoteWhat's interesting, is that the developer also shared the percentages per-platform of actual players who loaded it up during December, where Linux accounted for approximately 5.12%.This is also something I thought about. Many people buy on platform A, then play on platform A, B or C - whatever they currently use.
I also buy the vast majority of games on Windows - since it is currently the platform I (have to :( ) use for work, then install and play them on linux whenever I get the chance.
You're just keep feeding Windows market. Good job.
About the game, it's quit awesome, and i'm following it since several years already, playing some from time to time, but waiting for release to "really play". Also, the dev seems to be a nice guy.
Quoting: TcheyI think i've read the buying plaeteforme doesn't matter much, it's more about where you play that actually count.
About the game, it's quit awesome, and i'm following it since several years already, playing some from time to time, but waiting for release to "really play". Also, the dev seems to be a nice guy.
No , it is important. Especially if you buy them but get chance to touch them weeks later.
Easy solution: Install Steam mobile app from AppStore ( Ios ) , Google Play ( Android ) or Windows Phone ( i doubt if there is any user here ) via Market.
Buy them on mobile app.
Quoting: TheSHEEEPThis is also something I thought about. Many people buy on platform A, then play on platform A, B or C - whatever they currently use.
I also buy the vast majority of games on Windows - since it is currently the platform I (have to :( ) use for work, then install and play them on linux whenever I get the chance.
Quoting: TcheyI think i've read the buying plaeteforme doesn't matter much, it's more about where you play that actually count.
Quoting: LeopardNo , it is important. Especially if you buy them but get chance to touch them weeks later.
@Leopard could you please bring some reference about what you are saying? I think some time ago Liam posted a long article explaining how sales were computed for each platform, so that would confirm what @Tchey was saying. It depended on the first hours of play as far as I can remember but I'm not 100% sure as I could not find the article. But maybe in the meantime it counts as a sale for the platform it was bought in?
@Liam: Any chance you could enlighten us?
Quoting: LeopardYou're just keep feeding Windows market. Good job.
I'm sorry, but it seems a bit tragic when you say it that way. Maybe the guy, as he stated, didn't realize that he was having this effect. Plus, I don't think that's the thing that makes a big difference, some Linux guys computed as Windows if they buy on Windows. The problem is the overwhelming use of Windows on personal computers, and that is a structural problem, not an individual one.
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