Crayta now free to play on Stadia and gets Crowd Play, Little Nightmares II free on Pro

no trying to be too negative, but I think this is going to be another google success....

... and no I am not bitter for having ended up buying a controller...

how much longer you going to give it 12 months?

Crayta will also be heading to the Epic Store for the main Windows release, so no Linux desktop support - Stadia only.

Yeah, I'm convinced Stadia had done absolutely nothing for Linux gaming as a whole. And only teases us with 'but they're Linux ports!' but they're not running on $my_favorite_distribution_locally. So really still have no interest in it. And with Google slaying it's own developers for it and spreading their ashes upon their users... well, most of us saw that coming.

Yeah, I'm convinced Stadia had done absolutely nothing for Linux gaming as a whole. And only teases us with 'but they're Linux ports!' but they're not running on $my_favorite_distribution_locally. So really still have no interest in it. And with Google slaying it's own developers for it and spreading their ashes upon their users... well, most of us saw that coming.

It never was supposed to do anything. It's just another tool in the shed, to play games on Linux.

The only thing that will push Linux itself higher is hardware, I've said it for years and I will continue to say it. Stadia being supported on Linux is better than not.


Last edited by Liam Dawe on 11 February 2021 at 4:49 pm UTC

Can't say that I'm surprised either, but Epic exclusivity and no Steam...

Even if it would have been Windows only, it would have been fun if Google had considered an unnofficial Linux build (Stadia) on Steam...

This said, Stadia will make more developers know how to program on Linux. It's not a direct benefit, but it's not a total nothing.

Edit: Just realised... Is Google responisble for that decision or is it on the publisher's side (Unit 2 Games Ltd)?


Last edited by Mohandevir on 11 February 2021 at 5:59 pm UTC

Chromebooks being paired with Stadia is worrying. Gaming on Linux has slow but tangible growth. Latest Proton RC made Nioh 2 playable! Don't forget Cyberpunk 2077 and Death Stranding is also! That's three major games that potential switchers to Linux can be reassured will be playable! I hope I am entirely wrong but I'm concerned that Google with Chromebooks could steal what should be given to FOSS desktop OSes and establish ChromeOS as the Linux OS for gaming. Why switch to Solus, Ubuntu, Arch or any other OS when you can use ChromeOS and get both Proton (I bet it will come) and Stadia with support from a behemoth like Google. Especially with them doing crap like this, really Epic? No GOG or Steam?

The only thing that will push Linux itself higher is hardware, I've said it for years and I will continue to say it.

For that to happen there needs to be a catalyst. That catalyst, gaming on Linux reaching greater state leading to market share increase, will take more time to happen, if at all, with game developers not supporting the platform (whether with WINE or native release). Steam machines is a proof of that, when the future seemed bright many companies invested or showed interest to. But they will never invest again if market share stays the same it.

Google doesn't need to do anything for Linux. But I'd say hardware support would come sooner for Linux if Google contributed with releasing their games natively and encouraging third party developers. Any small contribution will add to Linux ecosystem and draw the platform closer to hardware being sold with it. But they don't want that, FOSS desktops (like System76 laptops), they want ChromeOS laptops being sold.


Last edited by Linuxwarper on 11 February 2021 at 6:26 pm UTC

Yeah, I'm convinced Stadia had done absolutely nothing for Linux gaming as a whole. And only teases us with 'but they're Linux ports!' but they're not running on $my_favorite_distribution_locally. So really still have no interest in it. And with Google slaying it's own developers for it and spreading their ashes upon their users... well, most of us saw that coming.

It never was supposed to do anything. It's just another tool in the shed, to play games on Linux.

The only thing that will push Linux itself higher is hardware, I've said it for years and I will continue to say it. Stadia being supported on Linux is better than not.

But the hardware is already here. Seems to me someone pointed out that Metro Exodus was just using dxvk on Stadia? So where they basically just wrapping it and not running natively?

Has there been any games yet released for Stadia that will now run on Desktop Linux?

Now if we get Ato on Linux at least we can say the AtariVCS will have helped Linux gaming, as it now has a port of that game, but I only see it listed for Windows in Steam.

Sure, maybe some future titles from the studios releasing games for Stadia will come out for Desktop Linux, but until then, I will stand by that Google isn't doing us any favors here.

Hardware is absolutely not here. Steam Machines were the only thing that came close, and they spectacularly failed. VCS does not count, as it's using a special brand and not normal Linux like SteamOS was.

And again, I don't subscribe to the thought that everything needs to "do us a favour" or contribute to Linux in some way. We are the only platform where this comes up. It's an option.

I noticed that Re-Logic's YouTube account seems to be reinstated. I'm not entirely sure, but I see its logo no longer grayed and crossed.

Hardware is absolutely not here. Steam Machines were the only thing that came close, and they spectacularly failed. VCS does not count, as it's using a special brand and not normal Linux like SteamOS was.

And again, I don't subscribe to the thought that everything needs to "do us a favour" or contribute to Linux in some way. We are the only platform where this comes up. It's an option.

Ah, you're talking the difference between something you pluck off the shelf and can play on Linux with Steam/Lutris, vs I buy/build a box and put Linux on it and play.

Or would you consider System79 selling laptops/desktop systems with Linux pre-installed with Pop_OS good enough? The hardware is certainly here in that regard. Can you buy a system sitting next to the Playstation and Xbox? Nah. The VCS is going to be as close as we're going to get for a long time, unless Valve makes a second attempt at a Steam Machine, and for them to do it RIGHT is it will HAVE to come from Valve, not have multiple versions of it, and be a nice machine.

I think they should just make a deal with Atari and get Steam within the AtariOS and get more controller support added to the system. Hell, if the PC-Mode app would work correctly, and we could get a new SteamOS sold on a m.2 SSD or a pre-installed model option, it'd work well enough. Would just need another icon in Steam. A little Fuji on the supported systems, with any game that the system actually matches minimum requirements on.

So yeah while it's perfectly possible to build a system, or buy a system and properly do Linux gaming on it like I've done for many years, we don't have a settop box with Steam BPM (or RetroArch/Emulation Station) that you can buy just straight off the bat... oh actually there are some..

https://www.amazon.com/Fightstick-Trackball-Controller-Raspberry-Preloaded/dp/B08MFG7J1K

This has a Raspberry Pi loaded up with Linux and some Atari games. I didn't get this version as I already have several RPis and just wanted the arcade stick. But even the reviews on Youtube show that it's not an out of the box experience and you have to configure the stick for the emulators. Missed opportunity for a nice Turnkey solution.

I am just hoping somehow the AtariVCS will get some <-> Linux ports (meaning some that are on Steam for Linux will be released there, and some, like Ato will get a linux release as it's now already ported to the Atari VCS.)

Personnally I'd like to see some form of true Linux based AndroidTV-like OS that integrates all store fronts (Steam/EGS/GoG Galaxy/some form of Lutris/etc... into a 100% controller friendly/operated UI that could be the main OS for a new console.

But who could be willing to put efforts into such a device? If not Valve, who?

https://boilingsteam.com/drauger-os-developer-looking-to-make-console/

Still unconvinced.


Last edited by Mohandevir on 12 February 2021 at 5:58 pm UTC

And again, I don't subscribe to the thought that everything needs to "do us a favour" or contribute to Linux in some way. We are the only platform where this comes up. It's an option.

Be careful. This is the Internet, and you're being far too sensible. You're not supposed to be reasonable, sensible, and correct.

...but damn I'd like to link to your statement there in every Stadia thread. In neon. With UV-reactive paint. And a choir lining a red carpet. With dancers. Fire dancers.

Ha, I mean it's up to Liam on what he reports about.

To me, and only my opinion, reporting about Stadia gaming is sort of akin to reporting about Android gaming. They both use Linux somewhere in the stack, and in all actuality you could even play Android games on a Linux desktop easier than you can Stadia games (if you're anti-chrome). Then again I guess if you're anti-chrome you can't play with Geforce Now either. I haven't looked at Stadia's requirements, but Geforce Now doesn't even list Linux as supported at all, just says it works with Windows and MacOS, but it does work in Linux (tested it briefly on the AtariVCS, where I don't think it actually worked with the game pads, but did with keyboard / mouse).

I'll admit, I'm just bitter that things pop up on Stadia and not on desktop Linux, and it feels far too often that companies will take the flexibility and freedom and power of Linux, and then try as hard as they can to not give back. Which is kind of the whole spirit of the GPL. Does that make sense? To me it's the same thing as all those games where they are perfectly happy to make their server available to run on Linux systems, but refuse to port the client over so we can have an open operating system to enjoy the full game.

And again, I don't subscribe to the thought that everything needs to "do us a favour" or contribute to Linux in some way. We are the only platform where this comes up. It's an option.

Be careful. This is the Internet, and you're being far too sensible. You're not supposed to be reasonable, sensible, and correct.

...but damn I'd like to link to your statement there in every Stadia thread. In neon. With UV-reactive paint. And a choir lining a red carpet. With dancers. Fire dancers.

Ha, I mean it's up to Liam on what he reports about.

To me, and only my opinion, reporting about Stadia gaming is sort of akin to reporting about Android gaming. They both use Linux somewhere in the stack, and in all actuality you could even play Android games on a Linux desktop easier than you can Stadia games (if you're anti-chrome). Then again I guess if you're anti-chrome you can't play with Geforce Now either. I haven't looked at Stadia's requirements, but Geforce Now doesn't even list Linux as supported at all, just says it works with Windows and MacOS, but it does work in Linux (tested it briefly on the AtariVCS, where I don't think it actually worked with the game pads, but did with keyboard / mouse).

I'll admit, I'm just bitter that things pop up on Stadia and not on desktop Linux, and it feels far too often that companies will take the flexibility and freedom and power of Linux, and then try as hard as they can to not give back. Which is kind of the whole spirit of the GPL. Does that make sense? To me it's the same thing as all those games where they are perfectly happy to make their server available to run on Linux systems, but refuse to port the client over so we can have an open operating system to enjoy the full game.

It's not really Stadia's (or Google's) responsibility to bring those games to GNU/Linux desktop though. Google does do a substantial amount of open source projects (not gone through the licenses to determine how "open", but that's an exercise for the reader, see here: https://opensource.google/projects/explore/featured) but it's simply not as visible on a desktop because that's not their business area.

I think what's happening is that Stadia is making it more apparent to the wider GNU/Linux desktop user base something that I've been saying for quite a long time: there's no technical reason stopping companies from releasing GNU/Linux versions of their games. Even id software never did that in an officially supported manner. Even though Doom 2016 needed to modify about 2 files to produce a fully working GNU/Linux version, Bethesda (or zenimax, or microsoft, or whoever owns it now) never bothered.

Yeah, I don't think it is their responsibility, that is on the developers of the game to do so. I just feel Stadia is another platform, unrelated to desktop Linux gaming, it is browser gaming.
But it feels like Stadia should / could be a stepping stone for developers to release their games on Desktop Linux, it is that this hasn't happened that I find annoying.


Last edited by slaapliedje on 13 February 2021 at 7:58 pm UTC

I'll admit to being disgruntled when these incredibly wealthy companies (and even more incredibly wealthy management) have everything in place, but don't even bother to test the waters. Then you see an indie dev with far less resources release something on multiple platforms, with far better finish, and more creative gameplay.

I can't say I care terribly about companies supporting Linux or not. It's always nice but I had no expectation of Google supporting the platform. I'm more concerned about what Stadia means for Linux and PC platform in general. Many people are going around thinking streaming is the future, when it's just a future. I could say alot more but I will end that subject with this; I've attempted now multiple times to install TWRP properly on my android phone. The first step before I can move on to install MicroG. Why? To degoogle my phone. I don't want to install LineageOS or E OS, I prefer the UI of the stock ROM. While I want choice and freedom to play games way I want and on platform I want we have Google and Microsoft. Recently I saw Microsoft social media account post a image of many consoles with caption "Don't be a fanboy!".

I'm not really buying the support costs for GNU/Linux being a thing anymore either. It's not like big budget games have a quality reputation on Windows these days, where it's probably just a crappy console port to begin with. They could probably divert a little marketing money to a GNU/Linux desktop version and they'd reap that back and more with all the free publicity from GNU/Linux users bubbling over general tech forums anyway.

(--edit: spelling)

I think they simply get more money from DLC and such for Windows than supporting Linux. These are money counting companies we are talking about, it's just beneficial for them that they have only Windows to target for PC. If Linux got 20% market share it would mean more work for them, at least initially til their workflow was standardized.


Last edited by Linuxwarper on 14 February 2021 at 4:15 pm UTC