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BATTLETECH gets an opt-in Linux beta on Steam

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Harebrained Schemes have made good on their promise to have a Linux beta for their tactical ‘Mech combat game. It works well with a few caveats.

The Linux version of BATTLETECH [Official Site] has seen some delays since the game’s launch earlier in the year. The communication from the developer has been spotty at times so it’s good to see that they’ve finally gotten around to delivering on a Linux version for the game. It’s not quite bug-free yet so it’s available to download by opting into the “public_beta_linux” branch on Steam.

There’s a few known issues for the game, though none that are real show stoppers:

  •  When customizing the name of a ‘Mech or a Lance, the characters you type are doubled. So a W would appear as WW.
  • Some menus may be extra light or extra dark depending on your system’s screen resolution.
  • Hyperlinks are not functional on SteamOS only.  
  • Logging into a Paradox account always ends in a failure on the first attempt on SteamOS only.  
  • Multiplayer on SteamOS has intermittent connection issues (better as host than joiner).
  • Refreshing the save game list can sometimes hang on the main menu. Restarting the game should fix the issue 

The developers have asked that any Linux-specific issues found in the beta should be reported here.

I’ve played a few minutes of this beta and can tell you that it otherwise seems to run just fine. I did part of a skirmish mission and started the campaign and things seem to be running as they should be. I’m looking forward to exploring the game and seeing if it’s any good as I’m a fan of giant robots blowing each other up.

Hopefully it won’t be too long before the developers quash all the bugs and make a full release of the Linux version. It’s been a long wait since the original Kickstarter campaign. At least there’s the silver lining that we’re also getting several months’ worth of updates and quality of life improvements that have been added since launch.

You can get BATTLETECH on Steam. You can also get it on GOG and the Humble Store but note that the opt-in beta is Steam-only.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Beta, Steam, Strategy
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About the author -
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History, sci-fi, technology, cooking, writing and playing games are things I enjoy very much. I'm always keen to try different genres of games and discover all the gems out there.

Oh and the name doesn't mean anything but coincidentally could be pronounced as "Buttery" which suits me just fine.
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slaapliedje 28 Sep 2018
Woo hoo! Gonna try this out!
14 28 Sep 2018
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You have to buy it first, huh? Eh, I'll wait.
slaapliedje 28 Sep 2018
I bought it when it was on sale last.
slaapliedje 28 Sep 2018
Wow, 8.1GB download. Now to play Spider-man while it works on that, or take a nap....
Schattenspiegel 28 Sep 2018
Finally! Guess I know what the weekend will look like now ;-)
slaapliedje 28 Sep 2018
Seems to work fine, played through the first mission, but had crap sleep last night, so the nap bit is going to win!
Colombo 28 Sep 2018
Originally backed the game..., refunded after Linux was delayed.

And now, after so much time, I don't really care about this game anyway. I bet you that devs would complain that there isn't enough linux users.
slaapliedje 28 Sep 2018
I do love me some Battletech and weirdly this will probably be the first Paradox game I really play a lot (outside of Magicka). I know the old school Battletech, unlike the time it requires to learn their grand strategy games. One day maybe I will have the time for that.
Arehandoro 28 Sep 2018
Heh, finally eh. Now if only Star Control Origin would....

They replied to me in the forums saying that a version is planned, hopefully we don't have to wait that much :D
Alm888 28 Sep 2018
Originally backed the game..., refunded after Linux was delayed.

And now, after so much time, I don't really care about this game anyway. I bet you that devs would complain that there isn't enough linux users.
Also had thought about refunding but then decided against this move. It was my fscking mistake to give them my money in the first place and I knew what is at stake. Kickstarter is a wasted money 75% of the times anyways.

From now on no more money from me for these guys, they have trashed their reputation.
rustybroomhandle 28 Sep 2018
Jesus, you people.
Feist 28 Sep 2018
Nice to see some progress at last. Although, I actually hope it takes a month or two more until the full release. I just have too damn much to play right now and I feel I´m buying 3 new games for every single game I finish. :D
Eike 28 Sep 2018
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Nice to see some progress at last. Although, I actually hope it takes a month or two more until the full release. I just have too damn much to play right now and I feel I´m buying 3 new games for every single game I finish. :D

Linug Gaming Hydra. :-D
Cmdr_Iras 28 Sep 2018
Nice, I backed this on kickstarter and while i was a bit disappointed it wasnt day 1, I have enough games to finish that Im good. So will look forward to firing this up in the next month or so.
Liam Dawe 28 Sep 2018
Excellent news. Big thanks to BTRE covering it while I got an early night to help fight this bastard of a cold I'm dealing with.

Downloading...
nitroflow 28 Sep 2018
Harebrained schemes(the actual developer, you know, not Paradox) as delivered on every single kickstarter they made, and linux release has also been delayed in past titles, so I don't know what most of you are on about?


Last edited by nitroflow on 28 Sep 2018 at 9:55 am UTC
buenaventura 28 Sep 2018
Wah wah wah, whining about a game.

Does this use vulkan? :D
Tchey 28 Sep 2018
On my 4-5 years old computer, it runs good enough on "Medium". It's turn based, so it's not a big issue if the frame rate is not over the top.
drlamb 28 Sep 2018
Upon proper release I'll buy a copy and give it away here. Mark my words. ;)
Salvatos 28 Sep 2018
Kickstarter is a wasted money 75% of the times anyways.
That figure would be 6% in my experience. With another 6-10% of projects that were run terribly or had ludicrous delays but still delivered in some form or continue to progress.

Well, I mean, you could argue that games are a waste of money, in which case my Kickstarter backings have been a waste 85% of the time :P
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