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PayPalThe creator of game store itch.io has been tweeting out about Linux gaming and Linux games seem to be quite popular in terms of downloads on the store. I'm not surprised, considering they're pretty awesome at what they do. They even have an open source client you can use to keep your games up to date.
Here's what they said (quoted/pics taken with permission):
Do you play games on Linux? A lot of people on @itchio do. Daily Linux and macOS downloads are about tied. Maybe something to consider when you export your games! #indiedev pic.twitter.com/3pEu3puuaO
— leaf @ itch.io 🙌 (@moonscript) May 10, 2018
They included this picture to show it in some more detail: 
To give you an idea of what that picture represents, they also put some numbers to the amount of games available for Linux and Mac.
There are 15k games for Linux, and 21k games for macOS. So it looks like Linux users generate more downloads per game on average.https://t.co/c2zpbt8ysrhttps://t.co/rDROY5zulC
— leaf @ itch.io 🙌 (@moonscript) May 10, 2018
For even more detail, here's a look at downloads between just Linux and Mac over the past 6 months:
One of the good things about itch, is that it's easy for developers to get their games on there. Steam requires you to pay a fee for Steam Direct, GOG specifically pick and accept titles themselves and Humble Store likely has their own requirements too. Naturally though, this does mean itch gets a large amount of experimental games, tech demos and weird junk, but they do also have a slowly increasing library of great indie games too. If you're developing a game, itch is a store you should certainly be looking at.
I've been quite surprised by the itch team, as any time I've spoken to a developer after having trouble getting their game running through the itch client, the itch people have been quick to jump in and try to help get it fixed.
Personally, I think it's great to see the folks behind itch.io give a shout out for Linux gamers. I have to admit, it put a bit of a smile on my face after a long day.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
buenaventura May 11, 2018
Quoting: PatolaWhat are your preferred itch.io-only games, people?
That's a real good idea for an article, like "this weeks gem from itch.io" or somesuch.
itch's app is excellent but I also download the binaries and install those direct.
What numbers do they show for Linux downloads?
Quoting: TcheySteam still has one big advantage left over the others so far : you can get a refund.GOG had the refund policy right from the beginning.
Last edited by Wendigo on 14 May 2018 at 7:15 am UTC
QuoteTchey
Steam still has one big advantage left over the others so far : you can get a refund.
I left Steam last summer because of their refund policy. 14 days and under 2 hours of game time. If I find a game breaking bug at the 2+ hour mark, within the 14 day period, I am stuck with a broken game.
On GOG and especially on itch, I get my money back.
And indeed itch comes with butler, which is a really fine tool for updating your games with a single command.
Last edited by Modanung on 10 August 2018 at 8:48 am UTC
Quoting: WendigoAm I the only one who can't see the pictures in the article?
What numbers do they show for Linux downloads?
Quoting: TcheySteam still has one big advantage left over the others so far : you can get a refund.GOG had the refund policy right from the beginning.
I thought gog refund policy was only if you couldnt get the game to run. Steam allows you to refund a game if its garbage I have refunded about 15 games as i have not enjoyed them less than an hour a time. I wish game devs actually did demos again, would negate a lot of time wasted for me and the devs.
buenaventura May 14, 2018
The steam refunding is nice. Sometimes I'm not sure wether a game will run well - today I am for instance trying All Walls Must Fall, dunno if my computer will handle it so it's nice to be able to try.
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