Some rather interesting news here, both Obsidian Entertainment and inXile Entertainment (source) have now officially joined Microsoft.
Together, they've made some pretty interesting Linux games such as Pillars of Eternity, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, Tyranny, Wasteland 2, Torment: Tides of Numenera, The Bard's Tale IV: Barrows Deep and more to come.
Microsoft have been picking up quite a number of studios lately including Ninja theory, Compulsion Games, Undead Labs and also Playground Games so they're continuing to bolster their forces. They're facing huge competition in the console market, so it's likely to help with that more than anything.
News that I am sure will shock some Linux gamers, that's two pretty big studios that have been putting out games for Linux now under the roof of Microsoft. That's a little worrying, but it doesn't mean they will suddenly stop having Linux ports of their games. However, it does make Linux ports of their games slightly less likely I would think. As long as both studios retain a certain amount of freedom, I think we should be okay for future titles. Microsoft loves Linux after all…right?
I have to be honest, I'm a little in shock myself at this news.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Nevertheless Nov 11, 2018
Wow, Obsidian was expected, but InXile too.. I wonder if Brian Fargo remains at inXile.
Edit: He stays, and he won't retire.
https://twitter.com/BrianFargo/status/1061401315606093825
Last edited by Nevertheless on 11 November 2018 at 12:51 am UTC
Edit: He stays, and he won't retire.
https://twitter.com/BrianFargo/status/1061401315606093825
Last edited by Nevertheless on 11 November 2018 at 12:51 am UTC
4 Likes, Who?
Well, Bard's Tale IV has a Linux version just round the corner, so I wouldn't worry about that, but Wasteland 3? Not so sure. At least I haven't backed that one, because FIG didn't like my country, heh.
1 Likes, Who?
And on the bridge you can hear the captain shouting: "Proton, please take over!"
4 Likes, Who?
Really disgusting news. I have zero expectation of MS continuing DRM-free Linux releases.
22 Likes, Who?
Microsoft is not as much anti Linux as they used to be. So this is unlikely MS forbit Obsidian and inXile to do Linux versions. But often when a comapny is bought by a big one, business decisions are slowly made more and more by the buying one until the two are completely fused. Unfortunalety it is unprovable that MS will consider Linux a big enough market worth investing in. I'm actually quite worried about that.
9 Likes, Who?
Microsoft is not as much anti Linux as they used to be.
Not releasing for Linux by MS is being anti-Linux. MS have all the money to do it. Same goes for DRM-free. Don't forget who we are dealing with here. MS gaming division is the same one which is pushing for sick DX12 lock-in instead of joining Vulkan working group.
While in some aspects MS is indeed better these days (like joining Alliance for Open Media and Open Invention Network), their gaming division is as lock-in sickening as it was years ago.
Last edited by Shmerl on 11 November 2018 at 1:10 am UTC
17 Likes, Who?
Nevertheless Nov 11, 2018
Microsoft is not as much anti Linux as they used to be.
Not releasing for Linux by MS is being anti-Linux. MS have all the money to do it. Same goes for DRM-free. Don't forget who we are dealing with here. MS gaming division is the same one which is pushing for sick DX12 lock-in instead of joining Vulkan working group.
While in some aspects MS is indeed better these days (like joining Alliance for Open Media and Open Invention Network), their gaming division is as lock-in sickening as it was years ago.
When MS stated they'd love Linux the last time, I said let's see what happens when they aquire Obsidian. Now let's see what happens with Obsidian and inXile! Big chance to prove their heartfelt love!
2 Likes, Who?
TheRiddick Nov 11, 2018
Rip Linux Gaming.
MS might love linux but they want %100 of gamers on MS Platform... two very different things. Watch as Linux ports get pulled and a LAME excuse used.
Last edited by TheRiddick on 11 November 2018 at 1:45 am UTC
MS might love linux but they want %100 of gamers on MS Platform... two very different things. Watch as Linux ports get pulled and a LAME excuse used.
Last edited by TheRiddick on 11 November 2018 at 1:45 am UTC
5 Likes, Who?
Nevertheless Nov 11, 2018
Microsoft is not as much anti Linux as they used to be.
Not releasing for Linux by MS is being anti-Linux. MS have all the money to do it. Same goes for DRM-free. Don't forget who we are dealing with here. MS gaming division is the same one which is pushing for sick DX12 lock-in instead of joining Vulkan working group.
While in some aspects MS is indeed better these days (like joining Alliance for Open Media and Open Invention Network), their gaming division is as lock-in sickening as it was years ago.
Here is a Twitter answer of inXile to someone who asked about future GOG support:
https://twitter.com/Inxile_Ent/status/1061435573473329154?s=20
2 Likes, Who?
Nevertheless Nov 11, 2018
Rip Linux Gaming.
MS might love linux but they want %100 of gamers on MS Platform... two very different things. Watch as Linux ports get pulled and a LAME excuse used.
It will be interesting to see if they will publish on the MS store exclusively, safely out of Proton reach...
Last edited by Nevertheless on 11 November 2018 at 2:07 am UTC
5 Likes, Who?
Avehicle7887 Nov 11, 2018
I won't judge, but with MS' history my expectations aren't high either.
7 Likes, Who?
So much for wasteland 3.
Be curious to see if their comments on keeping their Kick starter commitments will be honored when it is all said and done.
Last edited by RossBC on 11 November 2018 at 2:41 am UTC
Be curious to see if their comments on keeping their Kick starter commitments will be honored when it is all said and done.
Last edited by RossBC on 11 November 2018 at 2:41 am UTC
1 Likes, Who?
That's a little worrying, but it doesn't mean they will suddenly stop having Linux ports of their games
Well, not suddenly. inXile had a solid track with Wasteland 2 and TToN, but with Bard's Tale 4 they already stopped developing for Linux and decided to make a delayed port, despite the crowdfunding promises. Obsidian has released games without Linux support before.
Anyway, Microsoft might not be very invested in sabotaging Linux gaming, but we certainly can't hope they will be supportive. Things like DirectX, Xbox live and the windows store are probably higher in their priority list than "helping that insignificant competitor".
3 Likes, Who?
DoctorJunglist Nov 11, 2018
This is the worst news I've heard in a long time.
6 Likes, Who?
Here is a Twitter answer of inXile to someone who asked about future GOG support:
https://twitter.com/Inxile_Ent/status/1061435573473329154?s=20
So, current commitments will be kept (MS aren't as dumb as to violate them), but:
Beyond that, it's hard to say.
That's not reassuring at all. It means inXile didn't include DRM-free releases as a requirement in the acquisition. Too bad.
Last edited by Shmerl on 11 November 2018 at 3:37 am UTC
5 Likes, Who?
So much for wasteland 3.
Be curious to see if their comments on keeping their Kick starter commitments will be honored when it is all said and done.
I actually don't expect MS to violate crowdfunding commitments. But I totally expect them to axe all DRM-free and Linux releases of future games.
10 Likes, Who?
Together, they've made some pretty interesting Linux games such as Pillars of Eternity, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, Tyranny, Wasteland 2, Torment: Tides of Numenera, The Bard's Tale IV: Barrows Deep and more to come.I feel like I need to crack out the wallet and buy all of those on GOG now.
1 Likes, Who?
Honestly don't think the hand full of companies they picked up will destroy Linux gaming.
Or not make Linux a viable platform, they all made average games at best.
Would say at a guess they were the only ones willing to pidgin hole them selves too one platform in the future.
Or not make Linux a viable platform, they all made average games at best.
Would say at a guess they were the only ones willing to pidgin hole them selves too one platform in the future.
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