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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slaapliedje Nov 11, 2018
This definitely means no more PS4 ports, whixh is also a shame.
I do not see anything good coming out of this. Seems a large check was passed to these two and the thought of not needing to crowdfund everything was too much of a draw than being able to do what they want to do for the fans.
As far as the delay for BT4, I just tried it on Windows for a tiny bit to show a friend of mine who is a long time fan of the series, and it crashed almost right away. Seems rather unstable even on Windows, hopefully the Linux version is less crash happy.
I do not see anything good coming out of this. Seems a large check was passed to these two and the thought of not needing to crowdfund everything was too much of a draw than being able to do what they want to do for the fans.
As far as the delay for BT4, I just tried it on Windows for a tiny bit to show a friend of mine who is a long time fan of the series, and it crashed almost right away. Seems rather unstable even on Windows, hopefully the Linux version is less crash happy.
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rustybroomhandle Nov 11, 2018
Windows store releases only from now on probably. So no gog, steam, probably no proton either.
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TheLinuxPleb Nov 11, 2018
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! There goes Wasteland 3.
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Well, considering their recent releases were more "meh" than "yay!", not too much of value would be lost, but still, this is worrisome.
I do not fully expect them to cancel the linux versions of games they already announced with linux support, though it wouldn't surprise me, either.
I do not fully expect them to cancel the linux versions of games they already announced with linux support, though it wouldn't surprise me, either.
1 Likes, Who?
...Could people please stop with that "have joined" euphemism? It's bullcrap. They've been bought. It's bad enough that the company that's been bought has to write that in their press release, to make the buyer not look like a monster. But that everyone then copies that shit, that's just infuriating.
On-topic, I'm just disappointed. I guess that's the punishment for me saying that I'm ready for thousands more games like Pillars of Eternity and Torment: Tides of Numenera. Now they'll exist, but won't run on Linux. Haha, how ironic.
On-topic, I'm just disappointed. I guess that's the punishment for me saying that I'm ready for thousands more games like Pillars of Eternity and Torment: Tides of Numenera. Now they'll exist, but won't run on Linux. Haha, how ironic.
15 Likes, Who?
"Games for Widows(TM)" on Linux? No thanks. In Microsofts current work getting rid of sideloading-possibilities for Windows, why shouldnt this happen to Linux, too?
--edited to make my statement more clear--
Last edited by logge on 11 November 2018 at 8:19 am UTC
--edited to make my statement more clear--
Last edited by logge on 11 November 2018 at 8:19 am UTC
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soulsource Nov 11, 2018
quote=[https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2018/11/10/obsidian-inxile-join-microsoft-studios/]As part of our commitment to bringing a steady stream of new, exclusive games to our fans, I’m excited to announce Microsoft’s intent to acquire two new game development studios – Obsidian Entertainment and inXile Entertainment.[/quote]
The keyword here is "exclusive".
The keyword here is "exclusive".
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quote=[https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2018/11/10/obsidian-inxile-join-microsoft-studios/]As part of our commitment to bringing a steady stream of new, exclusive games to our fans, I’m excited to announce Microsoft’s intent to acquire two new game development studios – Obsidian Entertainment and inXile Entertainment.
The keyword here is "exclusive".[/quote]
Very to the point. MS aren't even trying to hide their trash approach.
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From the same source:
Good bye inXile and Obsidian, you were good while you were independent.
Last edited by Shmerl on 11 November 2018 at 8:33 am UTC
We’re focused on implementing new Microsoft technologies, delivering content for new platforms and services like Xbox Game Pass, and creating exclusive games that turn players into loyal Xbox fans.
Good bye inXile and Obsidian, you were good while you were independent.
Last edited by Shmerl on 11 November 2018 at 8:33 am UTC
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... These companies also only make games that wouldn't benefit at all from using apis like dx12 or vulkan, they're just not that graphically intense.
I'm not seeing their plan here, I'm not seeing a lot of their plans these days and it makes me a little nervous.
That doesn't mean they won't use DX12, vendor-lock is powerful incentive for MS.
1 Likes, Who?
Slowly that itching feeling continues I need to start finding a new hobby. Gaming is not what it used to be.
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Nevertheless Nov 11, 2018
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.
Exactly! It means it's not even in inXiles (or Obsidians) Hands anymore.
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Nevertheless Nov 11, 2018
quote=[https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2018/11/10/obsidian-inxile-join-microsoft-studios/]As part of our commitment to bringing a steady stream of new, exclusive games to our fans, I’m excited to announce Microsoft’s intent to acquire two new game development studios – Obsidian Entertainment and inXile Entertainment.
The keyword here is "exclusive".[/quote]
Oh yes, that's interesting choice of words.
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I'm wishing I hadn't watched Brian Lunduke's most recent 'Linux Sucks' now. I'd have probably taken this news a little better if not. I really really hope that the days of 'Embrace, Extend, Extinguish' are over, but having MS saying they love Linux isn't really enough to put that to bed.
On the bright side, MS money put into these developers could be good for story-rich rpg gaming.
On the bright side, MS money put into these developers could be good for story-rich rpg gaming.
1 Likes, Who?
I don't get all these doomsday attitudes. We probably won't see any more games from these developers on our platform (which certainly makes me sad as a fan), but that's all this means. Giving up on gaming because of this is like giving up on movies because one of the directors you like stopped making them.
We're still getting a steady stream of great games on Linux. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Last edited by tuubi on 11 November 2018 at 10:03 am UTC
We're still getting a steady stream of great games on Linux. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Last edited by tuubi on 11 November 2018 at 10:03 am UTC
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On the bright side, MS money put into these developers could be good for story-rich rpg gaming.
I don't think it would matter if it would be DRMed MS-only, story rich RPG gaming.
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I intended to buy several of their games... when I realistically could have time to actually play them. Wonder what to do now. Guess I'll buy them now instead of later, still guessing my money will enrich MS in the end.
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I don't get all these doomsday attitudes. We probably won't see any more games from these developers on our platform (which certainly makes me sad as a fan), but that's all this means.
With Larian not Porting Divinity 2, that's basically a whole genre (classic CRPGs) gone, no?
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With Larian not Porting Divinity 2, that's basically a whole genre (classic CRPGs) gone, no?
Nah, there is the indy scene and some new actors like Pathfinder: Kingmaker, but sure the niche market is badly hurt on Linux. And it is certainly a move on Linux, the crpg games do not sell well and do not sell at all on console, but I think they had a prety respectable share of Linux sales.
2 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje Nov 11, 2018
One thing is not overly clear to me: do they own Neverwinter Nights too ?
Nope, Neverwinter Nights was developed by Bioware / Published by "Atari" and now being done by Beamdog (Enhanced Edition). Obsidian did the 2nd one. Just like they did the 2nd Knights of the Old Repulic.
I feel saddest for Brian Fargo. He started inXile after Interplay went bust so that he could make his own games again. Granted I am sure MS gave him a hefty paycheck, so I don't feel too bad for the guy...
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