We all know the current Linux gaming market share isn't turning heads and it can be tough to persuade developers that having a Linux version is worth it. I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about user reviews and how they can help out. The primary focus here will be steam, as it’s the largest player, but this also should apply to GOG, itch.io and other stores.
Since I follow a lot of developers and talk to developers every single day, one of the biggest problems they currently face is actually getting noticed. Unless they have some fantastic marketing skills or the backing of a decent PR firm or publisher, they're probably going to struggle in the current market given how many games are bursting onto various stores like Steam every single day.
I constantly see developers practically begging for people to review their game on Steam, because of just how important they are.
With that in mind, perhaps this is a way to get developers more invested in the Linux version of their games and the Linux community. I mentioned at the start that the current Linux market share isn't great, but let's think about how many of us actually buy games versus how many actually bother to leave a review—the answer is usually not that many. I know there's a lot of seriously passionate gamers who follow us, so why don't we think about actually getting that passion properly across to developers in ways that not only helps them directly but also helps us actually get noticed?
Developers are more likely to continue supporting Linux with future games if we are useful! Especially when the majority we speak to mention that a Linux version wasn't truly worthwhile in terms of financial reward. So with this, we give them another reason to support the platform.
If more developers suddenly saw reviews from a few hundred/thousand Linux gamers, which helps them get noticed through Steam's various algorithms for putting games in front of people, this could actually help quite a lot. I'm not just talking about how Steam shows games on the home page and in various lists, but also how it tells you how many of your friends recommended it too on the sidebar of a game's page. Think about it—you’re probably more likely to actually buy a game if you saw that multiple Linux users recommend it directly.
This can then push various games in front of a wider audience for Windows and Mac too, not just Linux, resulting in developers actually seeing more sales, overall. This, in turn, allows them to continue to support their games and work on new ones. So in a way, this actually ties into the previous article "How to be a great advocate for a niche gaming platform", about how we're not just fans of Linux but the games themselves as well and I think it's a point worth remembering.
It should go without saying, but I will do so anyway: if a game isn't any good then don't blindly go giving it a positive review. If you think issues can be solved, talk to the developer first and give feedback.
Also, just to be clear on something. I'm not saying this is going to move mountains and won't really apply to bigger developers that already get a ton of reviews. That said, it does depend on the situation. For Linux porters like Aspyr Media, Feral Interactive, Virtual Programming and so on—it would still be useful to show them that the port was worth it and continue to spread the word about their ports.
So basically, for a really short version: Think about the last few games you played and if they were good, leave a review and let the developer know you enjoyed it and played it on Linux. It helps a lot more than you might have thought.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
bryanquigley 9 Aug 2018
#Linux #GamingOnLinux - I can see how to tag products but not reviews.
When I'm reading through reviews and spot the person has played on Linux, it certainly helps with my encouragement.
Last edited by bubexel on 9 Aug 2018 at 7:44 pm UTC
That being said, I use a modified format from Steam user headless_cyborg. I write a short paragraph about my thoughts, and add in some details in the table, here is my modified template:
[h1]System Info & Performance Report[/h1]
[table]
[tr]
[td]Operating System[/td]
[td]Ubuntu Linux 16.04 x64[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]CPU[/td]
[td]Ryzen 5 1500x[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]GPU[/td]
[td]GTX 1050, nvidia-396.51[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Game Saves[/td]
[td]Automatically and manually with 4 total save slots[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Notes[/td]
[td]The stories are a great way to tie everything together and add some replayability[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Technical Notes[/td]
[td]<Poor performance in xyz area> | <No Problems>[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]Last edited by cbones on 9 Aug 2018 at 8:26 pm UTC
But as I say, this isn't about BI or their ilk. Some targeted reviews on smaller studios could really make a difference in showing developers that we're more than the 0.5% Steam survey makes out.
Sometimes the developer's description is too vague and uninformative. Sometimes to the extent that even watching the gameplay videos doesn't help. But you know that the game is a gem (or at least cool enough), it's just that the developer failed to describe it properly or highlight the unique mechanics the game has. Fix it! Write a review that makes the game look right. You don't need any particular writing skills for that, don't be scared. Just tell people what you liked in this game or something unusual you noticed.
I often write a review if I spent more than 10 hours in the game, that means I've been hooked so the title is worth it. And I help other people get hooked as well. Most of my Steam friends use Windows and that proves that Linux players are important for everyone if they help both developers and players, even on different platforms.
Last edited by rkfg on 9 Aug 2018 at 9:27 pm UTC
Convincing developers who aren't yet releasing for Linux can be tricky.
Last edited by Shmerl on 9 Aug 2018 at 8:52 pm UTC
Do you mean to leave reviews for Linux releases, or to leave them for Windows only releases and comment about interest in Linux versions? I suppose for the later case you assume playing it in Wine?
Convincing developers who aren't yet releasing for Linux can be tricky.
I only read this as giving developers already supporting Linux a reason to be delighted with us Linux users, by leaving reviews of their Linux games. This in turn ensures some developer loyalty and shows other non-Linux-supporting-developers the error of their ways...
Do you mean to leave reviews for Linux releases, or to leave them for Windows only releases and comment about interest in Linux versions?
IMO, a review should be just that: a review. This means one must at least play the game in order to judge it and vocalize its flaws/strengths. Otherwise it will be like "I haven't read <author's name, usually Pasternak>, but I condemn him/her!"
That being said, if one played a game in WINE, I see no problems with him/her leaving a review and marking it as "WINE experience" because, obviously, those playing the game on Windows might have different results, and this review helps other WINE-users to better weight the purchase (not that I encourage WINE-targeted purchases, it is NTNB for me most of the time, but that's just me).
"Works great on Linux, thanks".
It's not a great review, but shows us the Linux port is solid, shows the devs we appreciate it, and gets them a +1 on their score.
Certainly better than no review.
Note that giving me a game for free only means you'll get a review, it doesn't mean you'll get a positive review. But I've only ever given one negative review and that was when I couldn't get in touch with the developer to see if issues were going to be fixed.
GeoGalvanic 10 Aug 2018
Leaving reviews is a step up.
Being an active part of the community is even better.
If 1/100 people playing are on linux it doesn't look too great. If 1/50 reviewers are praising linux it looks a little better. If 1/20 community moderators/active/helpful users indicate that linux support is the reason they are invested in the community, it leaves a much more favourable impression of the OS than just market share numbers could ever do, and does so with less people.
Comandante Ñoñardo 10 Aug 2018
Now I have to post a review about them, clarifying that the games were played on Linux.
And in each review I also positively mention the linux support.
But I'll start writing reviews from now on, whenever I think it's worth it!
Last edited by Beamboom on 10 Aug 2018 at 7:34 pm UTC
My approach is write a review via email (throwaway or real account) directly to developers. I know in today's social media dominant life, most people too lazy even to read an email. But so far, 7 emails sent, 4 being return (all thank you/appreciation reply). So, I'm considered it as very positive.
Other than that, if you wrote a review from a Linuxer's perspective that isn't included in Evgueni's compilation, give him a shout (you can propose the category up front to make his job easier). And if you have a friend who's looking for the next game to beat on Linux, feel free to pass them the link. I find it a really good resource.
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