Vivox, the voice chat middleware used by a number of games that doesn't currently support Linux recently suggested a developer just drop Linux support. They've now reached out to me with a statement.
It all started when one of the developers from Alderon Games, who are currently working on the MMO dinosaur game Path of Titans, posted this response they received from Vivox into our Discord channel about their request for Linux support (click to enlarge):
This was then later posted onto Reddit by the developer, where they got a lot of support from the Linux community.
I sent out a personal Twitter post to express my dissatisfaction with what they said and just today (and to my surprise), Vivox actually replied. Their statement, sent to me on Twitter starts with "To the Linux community and development friends," and then includes the below statement in an image:
I think they made the right call here, as it was an extremely bad look to suggest a developer drop an entire platform just to use their middleware. We're a smaller platform, sure but it's still not something anyone at Vivox should be suggesting to potential partners. You don't win people over, by doing things like that.
Also interesting to see them suggest they may bring Vivox to Linux in future, which would help future Linux ports be made (and likely be needed for Google Stadia support too since it uses Linux/Vulkan).
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
gradyvuckovic May 1, 2019
They got busted. All of that response is just code for:
"We're not going to support Linux until we think it's financially worth it and we still don't think it is and truth be told we don't think it's financially worth it for our customers to do so either, but now we know developers who ask about Linux support might rat on us to reddit to make us look bad, we're going to give a canned 'Sorry we do not currently support Linux at this time but we might support Linux in the future.' response next time a developer asks about Linux support instead of our honest opinion."
That last line in particular makes it clear, don't expect Vivox to support Linux any time soon.
Quoting: gradyvuckovicImma keep it real with ya chief - That response is 100% PR Talk
They got busted. All of that response is just code for:
"We're not going to support Linux until we think it's financially worth it and we still don't think it is and truth be told we don't think it's financially worth it for our customers to do so either, but now we know developers who ask about Linux support might rat on us to reddit to make us look bad, we're going to give a canned 'Sorry we do not currently support Linux at this time but we might support Linux in the future.' response next time a developer asks about Linux support instead of our honest opinion."
That last line in particular makes it clear, don't expect Vivox to support Linux any time soon.
Basically yea, but it's nice to know they'll keep their opinions to themselves from now on. The Vivox guy wanted to make a sale and earn a customer, and that was a seriously scummy way to do it.
edit: And I see that they have versions for macOS and Android so it's more or less already ported.
Last edited by F.Ultra on 1 May 2019 at 3:09 pm UTC
slaapliedje May 1, 2019
(Bl**dy h*ll, their website is absolutely awful. All style and precious little substance. That would be a red flag to me before I even started.)
Quoting: gradyvuckovicWe're not going to support Linux until we think it's financially worth itImagine a business seeking profits, the horror!
Quoting: gradyvuckovictruth be told we don't think it's financially worth it for our customers to do so eitherWe all wish it wasn't, but there is a lot of truth to this. Just ask most indie devs whether their last Linux port was financially worth it.
Quoting: gradyvuckovicwe're going to give a canned 'Sorry we do not currently support Linux at this time but we might support Linux in the future.'What? That's the correct response to give!
The official statement is obviously just a PR-Stunt to minimize the shitstorm...
The question others asked - what this offers over mumble - is a good one though
Quoting: gradyvuckovic"We're not going to support Linux until we think it's financially worth it and we still don't think it is and truth be told we don't think it's financially worth it for our customers to do so either, but now we know developers who ask about Linux support might rat on us to reddit to make us look bad, we're going to give a canned 'Sorry we do not currently support Linux at this time but we might support Linux in the future.' response next time a developer asks about Linux support instead of our honest opinion."
Yes, that's how I would read it too. I'm not happy to hear that answer, but unfortunately I have to admit that it holds a lot of truth at this moment imho.
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