Slightly sad news to share today, as the Linux Dev Lead at Feral Interactive who've ported tons of quality games to Linux is leaving the company.
Announcing their departure on Twitter, they said this:
Tomorrow will be my last day at Feral. I've been taken on such a damn amazing ride: ~5 years now, most of that as the Linux lead, helping ship 20+ AAA Linux titles, and making just as many great friends along the way.
— Marc ⚒️🐧🎮 (@mdiluz) May 17, 2018
Much love and thanks, Feral, you'll never lose this fan <3
They also made it clear, that the Linux developers at Feral Interactive are being left in "superbly capable hands" so no need to worry about them suddenly stopping Linux porting work.
I spoke privately with Marc, just to ask a few friendly questions to not take up much of their free time:
Q: You helped port 20+ AAA games to Linux with your time at Feral, looking back on it, what was your favourite to work on and why?
Rise of the Tomb Raider, for sure. I just love that game and series!
Q: If you could go out there right now and work for a company to bring a game to Linux, what would it be?
I'd aim bigger and work somewhere bringing more than just one game to Linux
Q: Will you be sticking around the community?
Hell yes
Q: How are you so good at Rocket League and when can you train me? Seriously, you’re a monster. (Marc won one of our recent tournaments)
Give a man 1000 hours at anything and you'll find them still only Diamond 3
I want to wish Marc all the best, it's been great to have you around answering questions in our comments, joining in community games with us and so on. It hasn't always been easy, but you've been a star for Linux gaming.
I'm sure wherever he ends up he will be doing some awesome work.
Kudos to Marc and all the best - I just hope the future involves more Linux games!
Of course they claim the Linux devs are in "superbly capable hands", what else could (would) they say, really.... But they can't be that many dedicated Linux devs over there. And a lead developer always leaves a noteable gap behind them when they leave small teams.
Quoting: BeamboomUgh - this is not a nice piece of news to receive.I wouldn't be so pessimistic about it, even if there is a gap that needs filling, Feral have likely known about this before hand to make any preparations needed.
Of course they claim the Linux devs are in "superbly capable hands", what else could (would) they say, really.... But they can't be that many dedicated Linux devs over there. And a lead developer always leaves a noteable gap behind them when they leave small teams.
QuoteQ: If you could go out there right now and work for a company to bring a game to Linux, what would it be?Will he be working on BA SteamMachines for Valve???? Also.. HL3 confirmed!
A: I'd aim bigger and work somewhere bringing more than just one game to Linux
Last edited by Creak on 17 May 2018 at 11:20 pm UTC
Thanks for all your work and all the best for your future path!
Time for some amusing comments:
Maybe off to join CD Projekt Red - Finally The Witcher 3!!! Also... Cyberpunk 2077 .... spooge!
More likely, poached by Square Enix ... and if that the case, I guess yet more of their titles coming to Linux. (Shadow of the Tomb Raider :) ).
Finally, as someone has already suggested, maybe working in the heart of Valve, bringing new Valve titles to the masses!
Thanks for all the work on bringing high quality AAA ports to us, Marc. Wish you all the best!
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