Recently, GOG added the Windows version of XCOM: Enemy Unknown to their store and since it has a Linux version on Steam, I reached out to the porter to see about their plans for the Linux version.
We've seen a lot of speculation in the past, with people wondering if Feral Interactive will ever get their Linux ports onto a store other than Steam. Here's their official stance, which they sent me this morning:
We don't have any plans to distribute our games through GoG. If this changes, we'll make announcements through our usual channels.
We can speculate all we like as to why they're not doing it, even if the decision does strike me as a little odd. Hopefully they will reevaluate this stance in future, considering it's not exactly a new game and the Linux port from 2014 isn't exactly new either.
A shame for everyone who prefers their games on GOG.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
Quoting: Crazy PenguinMany missing Linux Builds of Games on GOG!
Isn't it exactly the point? Feral's build is missing in this case, because of Feral.
Last edited by Shmerl on 18 June 2018 at 1:04 pm UTC
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Quoting: LinasWhy is everybody so up in arms about publishers not putting their games on GOG? Sure, DRM-free is important, but they are doing very little, if anything, to push Linux adoption. They have no Linux-compatible client (GOG Galaxy), no easy way to distribute updates, no standardized runtime, don't port their own games to Linux, nothing that would actually invite Linux users and developers.AFAIK they sometimes help other developers getting their games to run on Linux so it's not like they're doing nothing for Linux.
GOG could become a great alternative to Steam if they actually cared about Linux, but until then Steam is much more Linux-friendly platform run by a much more Linux-friendly company.
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Quoting: Adamfx990Its a shame publishers favour it despite GOG being the far-more consumer-friendly platform.
Oh well now - that totally depends on how you define "user friendly". One of my major arguments for Steam is precisely that it by far the most user friendly alternative, both in regards to the cloud storage of save-games (where that feature is utilised), the unified, cross platform chat feature with friends, and especially in regards to patching. It's all integrated in one client, one framework.
To claim this is not user-friendly is - if I am to be a bit blunt - really quite fanatic from the anti-drm camp. It is exactly what it is - very user friendly. That's the challenge GOG needs to tackle.
Last edited by Beamboom on 18 June 2018 at 1:18 pm UTC
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Quoting: GuestTry as you might, there's nothing to indicate Feral's DRM stance one way or another.
If that's not clear still, I'll repeat but one last time, since I said it several times already. If Feral have an issue with GOG in particular, they can release the game through other means DRM-free, smaller companies than them do it just fine, it's not an insurmountable task. Feral aren't interested. Argue all you want, but until I'll see their games DRM-free anywhere, I'll consider them being pro-DRM.
Quoting: GuestIn fact, if Feral even talked to GOG, that indicates Feral are ok without DRM - they have to be, if they're willing to even talk to GOG.
Talks in such case are initiated by GOG, since GOG naturally don't like making crippled releases. GOG Linux team said so explicitly. But talks didn't lead anywhere as we can see.
Last edited by Shmerl on 18 June 2018 at 1:20 pm UTC
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TheRiddick Jun 18, 2018
If they released GOG Galaxy for Linux, then perhaps things might change a bit. We can only dream.
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(conspiracy theory mode on) What if Valve gives some benefit to developers who don't put their games on GOG?
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Quoting: ShmerlIf that's not clear still, I'll repeat but one last time, since I said it several times already. If Feral have an issue with GOG in particular, they can release the game through other means DRM-free...Why do you assume that they are even allowed to release the games as DRM-free? The majority of the games they port are not even available as DRM-free on Windows. It's not like when they make a Linux version it becomes Ferals property and they can do whatever they want with the game?
We are talking about an industry that is still very much into platform-exclusive titles, locked-down consoles, Denuvo, StarForce, etc. Do you really think Feral does not have enough battles to fight?
Quoting: Shmerl...smaller companies than them do it just fine, it's not an insurmountable task. Feral aren't interested...You are greatly underestimating the cost involved. They would have to maintain a separate build of the game that has Steam functionality stripped, different installers, and possibly different set of libraries. These games are complex, and a lot can go wrong.
Quoting: Shmerl...GOG Linux team...A what?
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TheRiddick Jun 18, 2018
Steam does not stop developers releasing products on other platforms, so the decision is up to the original developer.
I don't know why some people are so hostile towards steam when often many games have DRM integrated with them to regulate the multiplayer components.
Only thing keeping me from preferring GOG over Steam, is missing GOG Galaxy for Linux, I won't take GOG seriously until they prove to me they properly support Linux users.
(note the linux releases are done by developers and have little to do with GOG website except for the Linux/Mac filter)
Last edited by TheRiddick on 18 June 2018 at 1:51 pm UTC
I don't know why some people are so hostile towards steam when often many games have DRM integrated with them to regulate the multiplayer components.
Only thing keeping me from preferring GOG over Steam, is missing GOG Galaxy for Linux, I won't take GOG seriously until they prove to me they properly support Linux users.
(note the linux releases are done by developers and have little to do with GOG website except for the Linux/Mac filter)
Last edited by TheRiddick on 18 June 2018 at 1:51 pm UTC
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Quoting: LinasA what?There is a guy/gurl who helps with linux builds, it's not really a team, but it is something
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PublicNuisance Jun 18, 2018
Quoting: bgh251f2I would believe that's because there's no clear way to know if a game bought on GOG is being played on Linux, so it would be hard to make the division of profits. The fact that there's no client can't be helping either.
I'm sure they can keep track of whether the user downlaoded the Linux installer or the Windows installer. You don't need a client for that.
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