Thanks to a post on Reddit, we've learned that Epic Games currently have no plans to put their store on Linux.
In response to a user question about it on Twitter, Sergey Galyonkin, the person behind Steam Spy who now works for Epic Games as the "Director of Publishing Strategy" said this:
It really isn’t on the roadmap right now. Doesn’t mean this won’t change in the future, it’s just we have so many features to implement.
It's interesting, since their original announcement mentioned the store was coming to "other open platforms" besides Windows, Mac and Android which we presumed would mean Linux. It's odd, since there aren't really other open platforms besides those to put a store on. We also had Tim Sweeney, the founder of Epic Games, give a ray of hope on Twitter with "We'll See :D" in reply to a user asking if the other open platforms meant Linux. So, I do still find it very odd that it's not on the roadmap at all. Not surprising though, Linux has always been low priority for Epic Games.
This could create an issue for us in future, since Epic Games are taking on timed-exclusive games which would mean no possibility for a Linux version until that ends. Even then, the developers of those games could decide to remain solely on the Epic Store. Remember, this has already happened with Satisfactory from Coffee Stain having the Steam store page removed to be exclusive to the Epic Store.
Speaking on Reddit, Epic's Sweeney said "These exclusives don’t come to stores for free; they’re a result of some combination of marketing commitments, development funding, or revenue guarantees.". So with that in mind, Epic Games are offering some commitments to developers to get their games, which could sway some future high-profile titles away from the likes of Steam.
For Linux gamers we still have Steam, GOG, Humble Store, itch.io and a few others which support Linux games. Heck, even Discord confirmed their store will come to Linux. For now, the Epic Store isn't a huge deal and doesn't have a lot of games (or features) for users so it won't be a huge problem right away. It will be interesting to follow, especially to see what Valve plan to do to prevent too many games leaving.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
buenaventura Dec 30, 2018
You can really taste the contempt behind "interesting" here xD
"It's interesting, since their original announcement mentioned the store was coming to "other open platforms" "
Yeah wth what garbage anyways, I wonder what "open platform" they were thinking then.
"It's interesting, since their original announcement mentioned the store was coming to "other open platforms" "
Yeah wth what garbage anyways, I wonder what "open platform" they were thinking then.
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Quoting: buenaventuraI wonder what "open platform" they were thinking then.FreeBSD!! Everyone is ignoring the obvious: It's the year of the FreeBSD gaming desktop!! They're going to do it just to spite Linux users ;-)
Last edited by iiari on 30 December 2018 at 9:51 pm UTC
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I love Valve and Steam as much as the next guy, but I'm increasingly annoyed by all the crap games flooding the store, to the point I'm considering stopping browsing it altogether. For people that don't have time for shovelling through trash, a curated store could be a great place to move to, let's see if Epic realises this opportunity.
Last edited by pb on 30 December 2018 at 9:56 pm UTC
Last edited by pb on 30 December 2018 at 9:56 pm UTC
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Quoting: wvstolzingI'm really not sure whether this is the one I seem to remember, but here's something about a client ui update from early 2017:
steamdb finds UI leak, later deleted by valve
This is from kotaku; but I'm linking it only because steamdb hosts the original images on github, where they aren't as convenient to browse.
Also in July 2017, GoL reported this:
from a Valve presentation in June 2017
It might well be a fabricated memory, entrenched somehow by my dislike for the new GOG storefront, and the absurd look of the new Epic store.
A year and a half that they talked about it, and nothing since then. It seems Valve doesn't see how bad their UI is. But I guess we can only wait ;-)
Last edited by Creak on 30 December 2018 at 10:08 pm UTC
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Quoting: CreakA year and a half that they talked about it, and nothing since then. It seems Valve doesn't see how bad their UI is.To be honest I don't see it either.
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Quoting: SalvatosTo be honest I don't see it either.
- Encumbered UI
- Poorly made preferences/config window with way too many options that are difficult to memorize
- No smooth scrolling
- Not responsive/slow
- Using several windows (the same complaint everyone told about GIMP)
- Popups that keep stealing focus at startup
- Uselessly complex badge system (with badge levels into badges)
- Workshop that says "Follow" when you would simply expect "Install"
- and so on and so forth..
Last edited by Creak on 30 December 2018 at 10:22 pm UTC
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A lot of people seem to be taking a fairly dismissive attitude toward Epic, but I hope Valve doesn't get complacent. Earlier this month the developer of Defender's Quest posted some rather worrying survey results of developer attitudes toward Steam (I recommend looking over all the graphs and tables, if not reading the whole thing -- there's a bit more to it than just the revenue split). Players may be disinclined to deal with yet another storefront/launcher, but if devs really are itching to jump ship things could get ugly (especially for us, as every Epic exclusive is now confirmed to preclude Linux support).
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This is the doings of Tencent (owns half of Epic Games), they want to get rid of steam and probably get it out completely of the Chinese market with the help of PRC's government.
Last edited by Code Artisan on 30 December 2018 at 10:55 pm UTC
Last edited by Code Artisan on 30 December 2018 at 10:55 pm UTC
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Quoting: Whitewolfe80Valve really does have Linux on lockdown doesnt it, look Lutris adding support for gog means i am more likely to pickup more games from gog. It would appear nobody is willing to bet on linux with the exception of Valve who are only investing in linux as a long term stratergy in case MS tries to lock down the next version of windows (well even more then now). I appear to be that guy that is actually concerned everyone else seem to be on the valve are the saviours of linux gaming. My biggest concern is valve looks at its balance sheet and goes well our investment is linux isnt panning out and gabe just going okay kill it.
Let's be real here. Valve doesn't support Linux because they believe that the year of the Linux desktop is coming. Nobody does that. Valve does this because of cloud-streaming gaming that someday in the far future will be a available alternative. Because if you run a big server farm you don't want use Windows licenses. Every major publisher will someday port their games to Linux but only for their own server farms. Valve will not stop supporting Linux infrastructure because they don't really care about Linux desktop end users. That we profit from it is just a really nice side effect and we provide test results + bug reports.
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rustybroomhandle Dec 30, 2018
Quoting: LeerdeckQuoting: Whitewolfe80Valve really does have Linux on lockdown doesnt it, look Lutris adding support for gog means i am more likely to pickup more games from gog. It would appear nobody is willing to bet on linux with the exception of Valve who are only investing in linux as a long term stratergy in case MS tries to lock down the next version of windows (well even more then now). I appear to be that guy that is actually concerned everyone else seem to be on the valve are the saviours of linux gaming. My biggest concern is valve looks at its balance sheet and goes well our investment is linux isnt panning out and gabe just going okay kill it.
Let's be real here. Valve doesn't support Linux because they believe that the year of the Linux desktop is coming. Nobody does that. Valve does this because of cloud-streaming gaming that someday in the far future will be a available alternative. Because if you run a big server farm you don't want use Windows licenses. Every major publisher will someday port their games to Linux but only for their own server farms. Valve will not stop supporting Linux infrastructure because they don't really care about Linux desktop end users. That we profit from it is just a really nice side effect and we provide test results + bug reports.
Yep! I was just busy drafting an on spec article that more or less concludes the same thing.
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Comandante Ñoñardo Dec 30, 2018
Quoting: pbI love Valve and Steam as much as the next guy, but I'm increasingly annoyed by all the crap games flooding the store, to the point I'm considering stopping browsing it altogether. For people that don't have time for shovelling through trash, a curated store could be a great place to move to, let's see if Epic realises this opportunity.
I thing Valve should split in two: One store for big games and another for Indies....
That is what I do for my accounts.
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Come on people, at least you'll get a fresh new game everytime your account being hacked and/or stolen.
/s
As Linux gamer, I'm not worrying much. Their customer service is awefully a joke.
/s
As Linux gamer, I'm not worrying much. Their customer service is awefully a joke.
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Quoting: LeerdeckLet's be real here. Valve doesn't support Linux because they believe that the year of the Linux desktop is coming. Nobody does that. Valve does this because of cloud-streaming gaming that someday in the far future will be a available alternative. Because if you run a big server farm you don't want use Windows licenses. Every major publisher will someday port their games to Linux but only for their own server farms. Valve will not stop supporting Linux infrastructure because they don't really care about Linux desktop end users. That we profit from it is just a really nice side effect and we provide test results + bug reports.No more calls, we've got a winner! I think this is much closer to the truth than anything else I've read or heard elsewhere. I think Valve has been telegraphing this quite clearly in their focus on Streaming technology, and is one of the reasons I believe the Link went away. Google seems like they are on the verge of a Streaming gaming service themselves. NVIDIA is already in the space. It's the best way Valve maintains their advantage: By having a technology that everyone else will have to spend a fortune to develop, being able to implement that more cheaply than others via their Linux expertise, and leveraging their existing library. We users beta test Proton and win. Quite right. Makes a lot more sense than "new Steam Machines!"
Last edited by iiari on 31 December 2018 at 1:11 am UTC
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Quoting: Comandante ÑoñardoI thing Valve should split in two: One store for big games and another for Indies....That a tough one. Where do you draw that line?
That is what I do for my accounts.
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Nevertheless Dec 31, 2018
Quoting: LeerdeckQuoting: Whitewolfe80Valve really does have Linux on lockdown doesnt it, look Lutris adding support for gog means i am more likely to pickup more games from gog. It would appear nobody is willing to bet on linux with the exception of Valve who are only investing in linux as a long term stratergy in case MS tries to lock down the next version of windows (well even more then now). I appear to be that guy that is actually concerned everyone else seem to be on the valve are the saviours of linux gaming. My biggest concern is valve looks at its balance sheet and goes well our investment is linux isnt panning out and gabe just going okay kill it.
Let's be real here. Valve doesn't support Linux because they believe that the year of the Linux desktop is coming. Nobody does that. Valve does this because of cloud-streaming gaming that someday in the far future will be a available alternative. Because if you run a big server farm you don't want use Windows licenses. Every major publisher will someday port their games to Linux but only for their own server farms. Valve will not stop supporting Linux infrastructure because they don't really care about Linux desktop end users. That we profit from it is just a really nice side effect and we provide test results + bug reports.
Let's be real here. What difference does it make to us if Valve really did all they did (Linux Steam client, SteamOS, AMD drivers, Vulkan, SteamVR, Proton...) just to stream games from Linux servers to anywhere (including Linux desktops), open sourcing their tech in the process?
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Quoting: 1xokValve is not listed on the stock exchange. They have a lot of money, but big companies like Tencent have a lot more. Valve has already ruled by lowering prices for top sellers. Epic can be much more generous:
https://www.pcgamer.com/epics-tim-sweeney-reveals-how-the-company-lands-exclusives-for-the-epic-store/
Tencent is pretty dashed big. But not being listed on the stock exchange is irrelevant--Valve is certainly big enough to be listed, they're just a private company so they're not. And the way things are done these days, all else being equal being private is probably an advantage; the stock market constrains companies to basically not do strategy, only short term tactics. Nowadays the only reason to go public is you can't get money to expand any other way.
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Quoting: ertuquequeMoments like these make me really wish for a crazy developer who publishes a Linux exclusive high-ish profile game!... But sadly, that's VERY unlikely to happen... Although, who knows... I'm starting to learn Godot, maybe I'll be the one who does it in a few years, ;)I guess in the mean while we'll be . . .
Waiting for Godot. (rimshot)
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Quoting: ecosvaldoEven IF their store supported Linux, it still will not get me to use their platform. Why? One word... Tencent. They ALMOST have controlling interest in Epic Games (around 48 - 49%)!Ehhh, for practical purposes that's controlling unless there are no small shareholders at all. I know, in theory you need 50%+1, but in practice you need more votes than will be cast against you, and there will always be a fair number of shareholders who don't get the memos or aren't interested and don't vote their shares. So 48% is plenty to win any plausible vote. You can often have control with 30% or so!
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Quoting: LeerdeckQuoting: Whitewolfe80Valve really does have Linux on lockdown doesnt it, look Lutris adding support for gog means i am more likely to pickup more games from gog. It would appear nobody is willing to bet on linux with the exception of Valve who are only investing in linux as a long term stratergy in case MS tries to lock down the next version of windows (well even more then now). I appear to be that guy that is actually concerned everyone else seem to be on the valve are the saviours of linux gaming. My biggest concern is valve looks at its balance sheet and goes well our investment is linux isnt panning out and gabe just going okay kill it.
Let's be real here. Valve doesn't support Linux because they believe that the year of the Linux desktop is coming. Nobody does that. Valve does this because of cloud-streaming gaming that someday in the far future will be a available alternative. Because if you run a big server farm you don't want use Windows licenses. Every major publisher will someday port their games to Linux but only for their own server farms. Valve will not stop supporting Linux infrastructure because they don't really care about Linux desktop end users. That we profit from it is just a really nice side effect and we provide test results + bug reports.
I've suspected the same thing for a long time. However, porting games to a render farm is certainly something other than supporting the Linux desktop. Officially, Valve supports Ubuntu and Kubuntu. Bug reports for Proton can be submitted for any distribution.
Valve does some things out of conviction, I think. Especially in the Linux environment. This is certainly also due to the fact that Valve gives people a lot of freedom and lets them work on things they really like.
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