Update: The developer did change their mind and it's now on GOG for Linux. Update #2: The developer later pulled both GOG and Linux down.
Original article:
Supraland released for Linux on Steam on July 2nd and it just released on GOG today but it seems the Linux version will not be heading to GOG.
What is Supraland? It's a very highly rated first-person action and puzzle game, inspired by the likes of Zelda, Metroid and Portal. It's popular, with an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam from over two thousands user reviews and from my time spent in the demo, I can see why as it was pretty sweet.
Speaking in their official Discord server, users questioned the developer to find out about a possible Linux release on GOG, since it's only available for Windows there currently. The reply was a little…unexpected:
Their further comments on it were a little more reasonable and understandable, mostly mentioning lower sales on Linux and again on GOG. Even so, that's a pretty naive and hostile attitude to take towards a store (GOG) and platform (Linux) both of which you only just started supporting.
After speaking to the developer myself, they said it was taken out of context (not that I see how, I followed the whole conversation personally). In reply to the same user who also posted this information on GOG, the developer said:
With the "for the sake of it" comment I was refering to a case of "I will only buy on gog because I want it DRM-free" but it IS DRM-free on Steam since forever. This ignorance and "for the sake of it" attitude made me a little angry.
I have not a single bad thought about gog.
They moved onto saying the Linux version performs poorly compared to the Windows version, saying it's better in Proton (which they also said slightly differently on the GOG forum and here too) so they don't want to give "a version that is inferior for reasons I cannot change". So, they're basically telling people on GOG to use Wine/Proton.
So for now, if you want to play the Linux version of Supraland, it's sadly Steam only. Although, going by their other comments it seems they're not confident on actually keeping the Linux version up.
Supra Games are also currently crowdfunding for Supraland 2 on Kickstarter, which is confirmed to be coming to Linux as well.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quoting: ShmerlNope. GOG only has regular copyright restrictions specified. I.e. you aren't supposed to copy what you bought to others. That's perfectly expected. GOG however allows you personal backups, which is one of the main points of DRM-free. So not the same at all.
And Steam also allows backups (in fact, they mention two ways in their docs). More over, if your game is DRM-free you can move your backup and run it anywhere without the Steam client (which is the other DRM software you always mention on Steam). Not sure where you want to get at this point...
Quoting: x_wingAnd Steam also allows backups (in fact, they mention two ways in their docs). More over, if your game is DRM-free you can move your backup and run it anywhere without the Steam client (which is the other DRM software you always mention on Steam). Not sure where you want to get at this point...
Not the way you think. They explicitly require you to use their client for backups and restoration. I.e. if your account is closed (or Steam itself is closed), you won't be able to restore your backups legally, since your client will be defunct.
Last edited by Shmerl on 11 July 2019 at 3:16 pm UTC
Quoting: ShmerlNot the way you think. They explicitly require you to use their client for backups and restoration. I.e. if your account is closed (or Steam itself is closed), you won't be able to restore your backups legally, since your client will be defunct.
As I said, there are two ways to make backups. One is by making the packages, the other is by just copying your library directory (is mentioned in their docs). The second won't block your access on any Steam games that is DRM-free.
Quoting: ShmerlQuoting: eldakingI will argue that DRM are only the software restrictions that enforce this policy. If you are technically able to make back-ups, but are not allowed to do it by an agreement, it is not DRM.
It's not DRM from the standpoint of "breaking measures" i.e. violating anti-circumvention. But it's DRM from the standpoint of placing a restriction. For the lack of better term, DRM-free implies no such restrictions, and that means legal ways of backing up your purchases, not ones that violate the terms of use, while technically not breaking any software barriers. I.e. saying that game is DRM-free but to back it up you need to violate the TOS is not helpful. I don't call such stores DRM-free.
Yeah, it is not helpful at all. But I think it is an important distinction for several reasons. The TOS may not be legally binding in some jurisdictions, or this part might be contested in court, or just the law could change. But once you put DRM to enforce the TOS, it doesn't matter if you have the legal right anymore, and it becomes much more difficult to change or contest. You need both legal means and a technical way of circumventing the protection. If DRM is Digital Restrictions Management (or Rights, if you prefer), the TOS is just the Restrictions being managed digitally (or not being, in the case of DRM-free.
But it is a big pet peeve of mine: different TOS or EULAs are a big difference between various platforms, but people often dismiss it. "Just use this alternative, it is the same" - no it's not, this one has a binding arbitration clause and shares my data with advertisement partners and uses the law of this other country. (Not that I am knowledgeable enough to make perfectly informed choices, because those contracts are bullshit in many ways).
Quoting: x_wingthe other is by just copying your library directory (is mentioned in their docs).
That's against their TOS already. Unless they modified it to allow that.
Last edited by Shmerl on 11 July 2019 at 4:55 pm UTC
Quoting: ShmerlI can't seem to find it. Is this it? https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreementQuoting: x_wingthe other is by just copying your library directory (is mentioned in their docs).
That's against their TOS already. Unless they modified it to allow that.
Quote5. THIRD-PARTY CONTENT ⏶
In regard to all Subscriptions, Content and Services that are not authored by Valve, Valve does not screen such third-party content available on Steam or through other sources. Valve assumes no responsibility or liability for such third party content. Some third-party application software is capable of being used by businesses for business purposes - however, you may only acquire such software via Steam for private personal use.
Doesn't this mean it's up to the content publisher?
Quoting: BOYSSSSSI can't seem to find it. Is this it? https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement
It's the part about needing the client for installation step. @x_wing mentioned something about them explicitly allowing manual backups and re-installtion without the client. I've never seen that. Where is it documented?
Last edited by Shmerl on 11 July 2019 at 5:21 pm UTC
Quoting: ShmerlQuoting: BOYSSSSSI can't seem to find it. Is this it? https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement
It's the part about needing the client for installation step. @x_wing mentioned something about them explicitly allowing manual backups and re-installtion without the client. I've never seen that. Where is it documented?
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129
QuoteWarning:
It is highly recommended that you create a backup of your SteamApps folder before attempting this process. If there is a problem in this process and you do not have a backup of your games or the SteamApps folder, it will be necessary to reinstall the games individually. Please see the Using the Steam Backup Feature topic.
They refer to both options, so both are valids backups.
By the way, the license agreement reads:
QuoteTo make use of the Content and Services, you must have a Steam Account and you may be required to be running the Steam client and maintaining a connection to the Internet.
As it is read, it's not mandatory to have the client running/installed to use everything (to be fair, it's a must for games that uses Steam DRM or similar)
Quoting: ShmerlDon't know, but here they indirectly say there are games you can play that don't require Steam account.Quoting: BOYSSSSSI can't seem to find it. Is this it? https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement
It's the part about needing the client for installation step. @x_wing mentioned something about them explicitly allowing manual backups and re-installtion without the client. I've never seen that. Where is it documented?
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4650-SDKC-0716#playgames
QuoteCan I play games after deleting my account?
During the 30 days before account deletion, games that require a VAC server will not be playable. After your account is deleted, games that require a Steam account will not be playable.
And at "2. LICENSES A." they say you may be required
QuoteTo make use of the Content and Services, you must have a Steam Account and you MAY be required to be running the Steam client and maintaining a connection to the Internet.
Last edited by BOYSSSSS on 11 July 2019 at 6:44 pm UTC
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