Even though INSOMNIA: The Ark is delayed for Linux, the developer sounds committed to a Linux version

SteamPlay part is the truth.

SteamPlay is there for publishers , devs who never cared about Linux in anyform.

Because they won't care with that market share , AAA's or other games they published will only strengthen Windows platform. That is where SteamPlay aims to break.

When we turn into a profitable market , things will be much more better and there will be no need for SteamPlay except backlog games.

Wow, what a myriad of stuff in that trailer, big spaceship exodus from earth? monsters aboard? political violence? a black hole and injecting drugs? Looks like alot at once, hope they can piece it all together!

Wow, what a myriad of stuff in that trailer, big spaceship exodus from earth? monsters aboard? political violence? a black hole and injecting drugs? Looks like alot at once, hope they can piece it all together!

It's all a hallucination from the drugs, easy to piece it together xD (joking)

It it's a huge amalgamation of topcis but surely the game looks quite good actualy, looking forward to the release. Whenever they can do.

good. i really want this game to be the best it can be. hopefully the linux build with launch with the "we will look into after launch" controller support.

I'm glad my less than helpful remarks on the other entry about this game hasn't put them off, I'll actively try to think more before I type anything.

SteamPlay part is the truth.

SteamPlay is there for publishers , devs who never cared about Linux in anyform.

Because they won't care with that market share , AAA's or other games they published will only strengthen Windows platform. That is where SteamPlay aims to break.

When we turn into a profitable market , things will be much more better and there will be no need for SteamPlay except backlog games.

THIS.

(Speaking as one of the Devs that DOES care, mind...)


Last edited by svartalf on 11 Sep 2018 at 3:56 pm UTC

I'm going to wait till it's out native. Game settings will be saved in the wine area not home so any progress made using proton won't appear in the Linux one (maybe a MV will do but unsure about the file formats)

…their comment about Steam Play is interesting too…

Yeah, definitely! They promised DRM-free version! Now what? Will they bundle Proton™ with their game for us? Well, "temporary solution" my a$$!

Sadly, some of the worst forecasts regarding Proton™ are already materializing. :'(
I'm glad I didn't back them back then. :><:

Thanks for another news bit guys.

I'm glad my less than helpful remarks on the other entry about this game hasn't put them off, I'll actively try to think more before I type anything.

I guess the only thing that can put us off is a bullet in the face. Which would be quite painful, I guess :)

They promised DRM-free version!

We've been talking to Gog for quite some time now for this to happen.


Last edited by INSOMNIA_The_Ark on 11 Sep 2018 at 7:28 pm UTC

I'm glad my less than helpful remarks on the other entry about this game hasn't put them off, I'll actively try to think more before I type anything.

Pfff, this is the internet! When has anyone actively thought before typing!! :D

Seriously, great to see some introspection at work. I think it makes a huge difference when you realise that on this site, there's a decent chance the developer might just stop by and say hello. Venting frustration by shouting into the void is one thing, but one-to-one dialogue with the people making the games you care about is so much more rewarding, and often (hopefully) makes you reconsider the words and tone you use.

(disclaimer - not a clue as to what posts you were talking about! just making general observations)

…their comment about Steam Play is interesting too…

Yeah, definitely! They promised DRM-free version! Now what? Will they bundle Proton™ with their game for us? Well, "temporary solution" my a$$!

Sadly, some of the worst forecasts regarding Proton™ are already materializing. :'(
I'm glad I didn't back them back then. :><:

I think you're reading something that isn't there. They are making a Linux version, plain and simply.

They were generalising about Steam Play being a temp thing *until* we get more games.

They promised DRM-free version!

We've been talking to Gog for quite some time now for this to happen.

???
Things have suddenly got really interesting!

This sounds like some difficulties have arisen.

So… May I inquire as to what is the GOG's response on this? What is their position? When Valve® presented the Proton™ technology GOG had been silent. Does GOG have some plans to wrapping Windows™ games in Proton™ like they are doing with DOS games and DOSBox? Or are they strongly against that? As far as I recall, some games are WINE-wrapped on GOG (like "Flatout 2" ). But, unlike neutral WINE, Proton™ is Valve®-owned and GOG® is trying to be Valve®'s competitor (yeah, those guys are in over their heads; that "FCK DRM" thing was pathetic).

Also, in my impression, GOG is not that eager to take any responsibility for Linux versions at launch: in case something even remotely dubious happens, GOG has only one response -- to deny Linux compatibility altogether (up to the point of removing Linux support at launch day after collecting pre-orders).

What about other DRM-free stores? You know, as much as GOG wants it to be so, "DRM-free /= GOG". How about itch.io? Humble Store?

I think you're reading something that isn't there. They are making a Linux version, plain and simply.

Or so they say. For all intents and purposes, there is no Linux version and, as time had shown, I'm a so-so prophet and can not see whether game will be or not. So, I'm better play it safe and hold my money.

They were generalising about Steam Play being a temp thing *until* we get more games.

Yeah, I also can generalize this: more and more developers will see Linux version delays as something acceptable. It is fine to postpone the porting until the launch (for how long? a month? a year? a decade? a century? a mille… eww, you get it!) because there is always the Proton™ technology to back them up. No need to hurry, right?


Last edited by Alm888 on 11 Sep 2018 at 8:20 pm UTC

When I was referring to GOG I wasn't talking about DRM-free Linux version of our game specifically but the general availability of INSOMNIA on this store. We are already [listed](https://www.humblebundle.com/store/insomnia-the-ark) on Humble Store though.

When I was referring to GOG I wasn't talking about DRM-free Linux version of our game specifically but the general availability of INSOMNIA on this store.

Ah! That's what it was!
It didn't occur to me you were talking about Windows™ version of your game in this topic as we are on the Linux-dedicated site and I tend to treat Windows™ releases like they do not exist. Silly me! :P

I thank you for clarification and am terribly sorry for that wall of questions regarding GOG™. :)

When I was referring to GOG I wasn't talking about DRM-free Linux version of our game specifically but the general availability of INSOMNIA on this store.

Ah! That's what it was!
It didn't occur to me you were talking about Windows™ version of your game in this topic as we are on the Linux-dedicated site and I tend to treat Windows™ releases like they do not exist. Silly me! :P

I thank you for clarification and am terribly sorry for that wall of questions regarding GOG™. :)

My good sir, as a (new) worker in game industry I can attest that doing a good game is far from being easy. Targeting platform when you sell that game for a living is a crucial choice. Currently the market share is at M$ advantage. Here we got some creators doing a port of their game to Linux. As far as I have understand they do not feel confident into making the Linux version day 1 for quality reasons. Theses reasons seems totally fine by me. Can you not count the games that was release too early so that your gaming experience was impacted? Also if I recall correctly, a certain studio called CD Red project didn't even consider a Witcher 3 on Linux for the king of negativity that you seems to show.

[quote=Alm888]

Yeah, I also can generalize this: more and more developers will see Linux version delays as something acceptable. It is fine to postpone the porting until the launch (for how long? a month? a year? a decade? a century? a mille… eww, you get it!) because there is always the Proton™ technology to back them up. No need to hurry, right?

Of course not. It's far from ideal. But some years ago the only way I had to play Quake 4 was a run installer found on a forum couple with a old fashion copy paste of file. Progress are here. And yes we need better than that. But asking comprehensively and patiently is more likely to work than using your, I must admit well mastered, sarcasm. Also for the time being, the team behind INSOMNIA seems pretty open on discussion which at least should refrain you to judge them to hardly just yet at least.

Respectfully.

Note that they are obligated to release a Linux (and MacOS) version to complete their Kickstarter obligations. To be fair, they clearly indicated at the start that the initial release would be for Windows (never mind the original release date, LOL):

Platforms: PC, Mac, and Linux
Release date: Q4 2015 on PC. Mac and Linux to be determined.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1892480689/insomnia-an-rpg-set-in-a-brutal-dieselpunk-univers/

My good sir, as a (new) worker in game industry I can attest that doing a good game is far from being easy.

My condolences. :( You know, if it becomes too hard to make a good game you can always quit and leave the game industry, provided you didn't take people's money on Kickstarter or the like.

Targeting platform when you sell that game for a living is a crucial choice.

That's an interesting phrase for "locking yourself onto one platform's specific technologies and behavior for extra FPS while screwing every other platform". Yes, it's definitely shorter.

Currently the market share is at M$ advantage.

Well, good for them, I guess… :S:

Here we got some creators doing a port of their game to Linux.

Allegedly. Well, at least, they had a Linux demo during Kickstarter.

As far as I have understand they do not feel confident into making the Linux version day 1 for quality reasons.

Well, they had confidence to take Linux users' money on Kickstarter. You know, "day-1" is not fixed in time. If they can not provide Linux version of good enough quality by the date X, they must shift the date and work harder to ensure said good quality by day X+n. They definitely have the money they took from Linux users already. If they don't for whatever reason, that's called fund embezzlement.

Theses reasons seems totally fine by me.

That's rational from the developer's point of view, I guess. To take the money and not be responsible for your own promises. Verily, Kickstarter is the best game publisher! Not only you get the money upfront, but you can screw things however you like and nobody can do anything to you. ;)

Can you not count the games that was release too early so that your gaming experience was impacted?

No, I can't! :D I can count the number of times developers postponed or outright cancelled their games for my platform. Every "clever" developer seems to think that it is totally fine to delay the game for me.

Also if I recall correctly, a certain studio called CD Red project didn't even consider a Witcher 3 on Linux…

You recall it incorrectly. It was certain Jaycee_1980, a former worker of Virtual Programming, a porting house responsible for not so good port of the Witcher II game, who expressed his frustration about negative feedback of said port and speculated that it is unlikely Virtual Programming will be porting "Witcher III". That's reasonable; be I CDPR, I would also break all business relations with Virtual Programming after that flop.
CDPR ordered Linux port of "Witcher II" because the development of the "Witcher III" took longer than they expected and they were cash-strapped so (just like Larian Studios with "Divinity: Original Sin" ) every means to make some bucks was fine. Later, they launched "coming to SteamOS" posters and participated in the Valve®'s "SteamOS Sale" in order to get additional funds. It worked to an extent -- some active Linux users took the bait and pre-ordered based on wishful thinking.
When "Witcher III" came out and CDPR was showered with money any Linux-related deals have became irrelevant. CDPR never had any Linux-related talent among their staff, they never had any experience or even attempts to look into Linux. "Witcher III" wasn't even planned for Linux in the first place and that decision had been made long prior to the "Witcher II" on Linux fiasco (at the time of the start of the "Witcher III" project).

…for the king(sic) of negativity that you seems to show.

And I thought you was a rational (wo)man not tapping into emotions, considering your business talk.
Sorry, but let's speak business. I'm done playing the "graceful loser" part, smiling and acting as if it was OK to grab my money and never deliver. I'm paying as much as an ordinary Windows™ user and expect the service to be just as good. This, I hope, you can understand. Now, in case of the Kickstarter, I'm taking additional risks and paying much more than a Windows™ user (due to Kickstarter not having regional prices) in my country. If a game is delayed, there is a good chance Windows™ users will get it on 50% discount sale several times before I even have a chance to actually look into the game; and this makes disparity even bigger (actually, 10 times bigger).

If, as a game developer, you expect my money on these conditions, then… :><: But we can always strike a deal! How about giving (delayed) Linux version for free to everybody? After all, a single-player game loses almost all of its value after 3 years since release (everyone have either played it under WINE/on Windows™ or watched it on YouTube) and you already have Linux users' money.

Also for the time being, the team behind INSOMNIA seems pretty open on discussion which at least should refrain you to judge them to hardly just yet at least.

Trust me, I'm not judging them harshly. Sure, they failed to deliver and have broken their promise, but at least they are not scum like "Stainless Games" and actually acknowledge their misdeed. And, as I have said, I didn't give them my money (I've forgotten as to why) during Kickstarter, so there are almost no personal feelings towards this studio in particular.

All my thoughts are addressed towards "game developers" (or people pretending to be ones) as a whole. It is them being irrational expecting Linux community to be kind and not "toxic" while constantly screwing it over.

Note that they are obligated to release a Linux (and MacOS) version to complete their Kickstarter obligations. To be fair, they clearly indicated at the start that the initial release would be for Windows (never mind the original release date, LOL):

Platforms: PC, Mac, and Linux
Release date: Q4 2015 on PC. Mac and Linux to be determined.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1892480689/insomnia-an-rpg-set-in-a-brutal-dieselpunk-univers/

Thanks for the observation! This actually changes everything.
They are not obliged to make a Linux version at "day-1". With this wording everything seems to be just fine! :D

Well, apart of Linux (unlike Mac!) being "PC" and thus they are actually obliged to provide a PC copy based on the pladger's choice (Linux/Windows). :D :D :D


Last edited by Alm888 on 24 Dec 2018 at 5:46 am UTC

I'm glad my less than helpful remarks on the other entry about this game hasn't put them off, I'll actively try to think more before I type anything.

Pfff, this is the internet! When has anyone actively thought before typing!! :D

Seriously, great to see some introspection at work. I think it makes a huge difference when you realise that on this site, there's a decent chance the developer might just stop by and say hello. Venting frustration by shouting into the void is one thing, but one-to-one dialogue with the people making the games you care about is so much more rewarding, and often (hopefully) makes you reconsider the words and tone you use.

(disclaimer - not a clue as to what posts you were talking about! just making general observations)

No worries I deleted them anyway.