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Don't expect GOG to support the Steam Deck

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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.
Tags: Steam Deck, GOG, Misc
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CatKiller Feb 21, 2022
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Quoting: GuestOne thing that came to my mind. If steam OS is the official supported OS, that comes preinstalled, does this means that running Windows, voids your warranty or you just cannot ask for support?, like you are in your own if you do that?
It's not going to void your warranty - if it breaks, you'll still be able to send it in to them for it to be fixed or whatever - and they're going to make sure that they aren't blocking having Windows on the thing, by making sure that drivers are available and everything, because that's an important part of building customer confidence in it. But if you muck up your Windows install in some way, or there's some other software problem, or it just doesn't run very well with Windows on it, the official answer will be to put SteamOS back on it, since that's how it shipped. The vast majority of Valve's customers are going to be running Windows for a heck of a long time, even if the Deck sells astonishingly well, so there will be plenty of Steam-on-Windows expertise floating about, just not necessarily much Windows-on-Deck expertise.
Breizh Feb 21, 2022
eldaking Feb 21, 2022
Dang it, that is a new low. When they prefer to tell people to install Windows than talk about the games they already have for Linux, you know things are bad.
wvstolzing Feb 21, 2022
Quoting: kerossinWas this even a surprise?

GOG doesn't care about Linux and they only care about DRM for marketing purposes.

I've seen the latest version of Galaxy recently, and tbh I really was taken aback by how messy it looked & was to use. I believe its original promise was to be simple, functional, optional/'out of the way', etc. Pretty disappointing on that front as well.
tpau Feb 21, 2022
Quoting: wvstolzingI've seen the latest version of Galaxy recently, and tbh I really was taken aback by how messy it looked & was to use. I believe its original promise was to be simple, functional, optional/'out of the way', etc. Pretty disappointing on that front as well.
Apart from the front page of a game where the description is too small compared to the activities box, i like the general design and features and the possibility to connect other platforms like ubi into a common library.
CatKiller Feb 21, 2022
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Quoting: Breizh
I haven't checked the numbers, but it seems likely that Steam sells more DRM-free Linux games than GOG.
CatKiller Feb 21, 2022
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Quoting: Guestyeah I understand, like any other device, installing a different OS doesn't void your warranty (didn't know that tho) but I'm still curious at what will be the official response from Valve? for example is there an official web page from valve to download drivers for the Steam Deck? or will they provide a bios update utility that runs on Windows? it's still a mystery of what the "official" approach will be, if they are too "friendly" with Windows then they might shot their own foot.
During the first non-IGN hands-on session they said that they'd tested Windows on it, and didn't need to install anything special. That's what they'll be aiming for for customers, too - if there's a driver for something that's needed they'll just bung it at Microsoft to include with their install images or other Windows driver mechanism. I don't expect them to have anything Windows-related on the Steam Deck site.
whizse Feb 21, 2022
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QuoteThere'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.
That's a very odd way to spell "Fuck off".
ShabbyX Feb 21, 2022
Reminds me of Blizzard's response to our petition long ago; YoU aLwAyS hAvE AcCeSs To WiNdOwS aNyWaY.

That's when I stopped playing Blizzard games, never touched them once since.
Alm888 Feb 21, 2022
Quoting: Guest
QuoteThere'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.
What a nonsensical reply that only makes sense for people that run Windows. Even for a Mac user, installing a whole new OS just for running games is not an option.
Quoting: eldakingDang it, that is a new low. When they prefer to tell people to install Windows than talk about the games they already have for Linux, you know things are bad.
Aww, come on! They have a point, you know. It is just your Linux-centrism that keeps you from seeing it. :)

I'll explain. GOG representatives have not answered Linux-users' inquire; they have replied to Steam-user's (and, as they hope, soon-to-be-GOG-user's) question about GOG platform availability on Steam Deck. The answer makes total sense!

GOG sells Windows games, right? Right. GOG Galaxy is all about Windows, right? Yup. (Let's pretend MacOS does not exist, it is not that GOG has any plans to support "Holy Apple Silicon" or ARM architecture in general anyways). Can one install Windows on Steam Deck and get access to GOG Galaxy and all of the GOG's library? Absolutely! Will this "GOG Galaxy on Windows Deck" setup get GOG's full official support? That is correct (it will, as any other Windows PC with GOG Galaxy on it).

Remember, the original inquirer has not asked for Linux support:

Quoting: Metal Jesus Rocks @ TwitterHey @GOGcom: Have you announced support for the upcoming Valve Steam Deck? Is that even possible? I will be reviewing it for YouTube when it launches and I'd LOVE to be able to play your amazing library on it if possible.
(emphasis added by me)

So, yes, GOG is correct, one will be able to play GOG's amazing library on Steam Deck. Even if the solution is not for said one's taste.
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