With the Steam Deck only a few days away from release, it seems people are wondering the support status of other stores. Seems GOG won't be supporting it, which isn't surprising.
Currently, GOG does support Linux with direct downloads, although they only officially support a few versions of Ubuntu. They do not, however, support GOG Galaxy on Linux. This has been a bit of a problem, as some games with multiplayer rely on Galaxy meaning a few Linux builds on GOG came without multiplayer.
Speaking on Twitter, in reply to a YouTuber asking if they will support the Steam Deck they replied:
There's no official GOG support for SteamDeck. But since the device has an open architecture, as we understand, you can install Windows and as such also run GOG games.
They never replied to our email enquiring about it.
Technically, you won't need to do that. GOG Galaxy can run in Wine, although unsupported. On top of that, projects like Minigalaxy exist, Lutris has GOG download support, Bottles has a GOG installer and even Heroic Games Launcher is working on Linux support that's close to release - so there's options available on SteamOS 3 with the Steam Deck to get GOG games. However, Galaxy features are generally locked to their own app.
One reason that's likely GOG aren't working to expand their Linux support to Galaxy and Steam Deck, is that they aren't exactly doing well financially.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
QuoteGOG Galaxy can run in Wine, although unsupported.Why buy GOG games at all? You need to buy on Steam, from those people who really support your platform, and do not wipe their feet about you.
QuoteOne reason that's likely GOG aren't working to expand their Linux support to Galaxy and Steam Deck, is that they aren't exactly doing well financially.
Interesting. And who prevented them from fully supporting Linux before, even with the old launcher? This had to be done in the heyday of ports from Feral and others, since 2016.
Why complain about finances now? Poles fully deserve their current position. GOG is no longer needed by anyone, even Linux users deposit more money on Steam.
No need to feel sorry for them. If GOG closes, then so it will be. CDPR deserved it, it's their own fault that they have been in this position for years of lying.
AussieEevee Feb 21, 2022
Quoteyou can install Windows
Rude. GoG is officially off my Christmas card list.
StalePopcorn Feb 21, 2022
TheRiddick Feb 21, 2022
Quoting: ShmerlSounds like a dumb response of some clueless PR person. They'll revise their answer soon, becasue it was a pretty bad PR :)No, they won't.
Quoting: Alm888Aww, come on! They have a point, you know. It is just your Linux-centrism that keeps you from seeing it. :)Thanks for the added context.
I guess in GOGs defense, it's also likely a not so technically inclined PR person answered that question.
But all that said, with a thing like the Steam Deck that's all over the news and gets regular coverage by (Windows-centric) mainstream gaming press, one could perhaps assume that a business that sells games that can be potentially played on the Deck was a little more proactive and informed.
Oh well, for all I care they need do naught but provide a website to buy and download my games. The less they try to "support" me with additional crap, the less there is to go wrong. And I assume the Deck runs a browser, right!?
Quoting: TheRiddickCDPR GOG still upset with Linux user base I see. They NEVER did recover from those Witcher2 threats certain extremists made...
Were those threats ever verified with real evidence that everyone got to see (other than maybe a tweet) ?
How many cases were reported to the police ?
How many charges were brought ?
How many convictions were subsequently given ?
How easy would it be to use that as an excuse to not support Linux ?
How easy would it be to make them up yourself ?
How often to people throw shade, idle empty threats online everyday ?
How many 13yr old COD kid's can use twitter and tell people whatever they want ?
How much of a melt do you have to be to group every single Linux user ( millions of people ) and decide the behavior of a few is the behavior of them all ? Hmm .. that sounds kinda like what actual extremists do right ? Should we say that because GOG is registered in Poland and there are (")extremists(") > [ Nebulous Term ] in Poland that all GOG employees & their families are extremists ?
That whole incident was just them looking for a reason to not do something that would cost them a lot of money & support. And now as we have seen with their terrible marketing department it would not be out of the ordinary to JUMP at the chance to find a reason to not support Linux gaming properly.
So yea, they never did get over it because there was nothing to get over.
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