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.
Nevertheless Nov 11, 2018
Quoting: TheRiddickRip 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
Avehicle7887 Nov 11, 2018
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
QuoteThat'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".
DoctorJunglist Nov 11, 2018
Quoting: NeverthelessHere 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:
QuoteBeyond 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
Quoting: mortigarSo 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.
Quoting: liamdaweTogether, 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.
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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