Today, GOG officially announced Galaxy 2.0 and their aim seems to be to pull everyone together under one roof.
There are two things that matter to all of us gamers: the games we play and the friends we play them with. But as more titles come with dedicated launchers and clients, our games and gaming buddies become scattered in between them. With GOG GALAXY 2.0, you’ll be able to combine multiple libraries into one and connect with your friends across all gaming platforms!
It's like a much fancier version of Steam's own ability to add games installed from other sources, as Galaxy 2.0 will also support cross-launcher friends lists and chat making it sound pretty darn handy. They do also state you can "Connect more platforms and add new features with open-source integrations.". Those hoping that is some kind of olive branch being extended for Linux will likely be disappointed though, going by their FAQ on the newer dedicated Galaxy site it sounds more like it's simply for adding other services into the client itself for those GOG haven't yet done.
This would have been the perfect time to finally announce the ridiculously long-overdue Linux support for GOG Galaxy (especially with the Epic Store also not supporting Linux), sadly GOG are continuing to leave Linux out. In response to a user question on Twitter about Linux, the GOG team simply said "GOG GALAXY 2.0 will be available for Windows and Mac.". While an honest answer, it's also pretty blunt. No mention of it coming, just a whole lot of nothing.
It's worth noting the wishlist entry "Release the GOG Galaxy client for linux" on GOG's own website with over 21K votes, has been listed as "in progress" for a long time now (at least as far back as 2015 going by the Wayback Machine). You would think by now we would have had some sort of sign.
Considering even itch.io, a tiny little outfit has managed to support Linux really well with their open source client you would think after multiple years GOG would.
I've reached out to GOG, to see if they would like a chat about it. I will update if/when they reply.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
The question should be directed to GOG CEO or even CD Projekt CEO (not CD Projekt Red which is the game studio, but their parent company CD Projekt). GOG support reps can't answer the question "why".
The important point that many are missing is not the client though. But games missing from GOG due to lack of infrastructure and backend support for Galaxy that games rely on. Developers can skip releasing Linux versions, if the later is lacking even if they release Linux version on Steam. That's very irritating (and I'm not interested in using closed client anyway).
Last edited by Shmerl on 22 May 2019 at 10:28 pm UTC
Comandante Ñoñardo May 22, 2019
To Develop for Linux is not job for everyone:
Only the smartest people can develop for Linux :) ...
Quoting: x_wingQuoting: KimyrielleGOG isn't some kind of garage operation with next to no budget. Seriously, if they hired some contract devs to port the thing for them, how long would it even take, and would they notice the costs? It's not that Galaxy would be one of the most complex pieces of software in the world...
Pathetic.
It could be if you start the development without multiplatform in mind... which is a stupid move if you call yourself a multiplatform store.
And regarding how "optional" is the client, everyone should notice that having the exact same software on one platform and another makes more simpler the migration from one place to another. Linux users loves to make marketing of our platform (and sometimes we get way too exited in regards of "how better our OS is"), but not having the same software is a big handicap in the end. So, eventhough of much we can like GoG policies, they definitely aren't very friendly with us and doesn't help at all in order to increase the market share of our platform, if not the contrary.
Considering that they have Mac support and the kind of technologies/middleware they are using is their any indication that they started development without multiplatform in mind or that a Linux port would be particularly hard? Have any of you tried running Galaxy under Wine and/or Proton? How well does it work?
Quoting: KristianConsidering that they have Mac support and the kind of technologies/middleware they are using is their any indication that they started development without multiplatform in mind or that a Linux port would be particularly hard?
Only the devs that knows the inners of the application can answer that question. But I can tell you for sure that using the right tools you can get multiplatform application with nill to low platform specific code.
Quoting: KristianHave any of you tried running Galaxy under Wine and/or Proton?
Why would I execute on wine having Steam? My critic is not about my personal needs, is about the average needs of the users that may want switch from Windows to Linux. That's were GoG is failing and that's why I can't consider to invest anymore money in their platform (and probably is the same feeling that many other have here).
Quoting: x_wingWhy would I execute on wine having Steam? My critic is not about my personal needs, is about the average needs of the users that may want switch from Windows to Linux. That's were GoG is failing and that's why I can't consider to invest anymore money in their platform (and probably is the same feeling that many other have here).
From what I gathered, GOG games work better in Wine than Steam ones, due to being DRM-free. One such recent example is Lords of the Fallen. Steam version doesn't work, GOG one works fine (Wine+dxvk). Not sure if you consider that "average needs of the users".
Last edited by Shmerl on 23 May 2019 at 2:38 am UTC
TheRiddick May 23, 2019
Quoting: Mountain ManGoG doesn't support Linux, so I don't support GoG. See how that works?
GOG actually supports Linux and has a packaging system for Linux and also support for it on their website. The only issue in question here is GOG Galaxy which is a nice little app to keep your games up to date and also play specific multiplayer features (ie. no mans sky).
There is overwhelming demand for them to build a Linux version... it is rather odd behaviour for a company to ignore that request (there is a mega thread in the gog forums about it).
I guess they just don't see enough money in the Linux community to deviate the dev team on making it so, understandable but also rather community unfriendly approach.
Quoting: ShmerlFrom what I gathered, GOG games work better in Wine than Steam ones, due to being DRM-free. One such recent example is Lords of the Fallen. Steam version doesn't work, GOG one works fine (Wine+dxvk). Not sure if you consider that "average needs of the users".
An average need is a simple install. It's quite simple for me explain to my girlfriend on how to install Steam on Linux, I can't say the same for what GoG offers. Like it or not, that's what Steam can offer and GoG can't and in the end, is what our platform needs.
Last edited by x_wing on 23 May 2019 at 3:31 am UTC
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