It seems at some point over the last month or two, GOG finally removed the "in progress" notice for GOG Galaxy coming to Linux.
Something that was a bit overdue, since they clearly have no plans to actually bring GOG Galaxy to Linux despite it being the most voted-for feature request for many years. GOG and CD Projekt never really took it seriously though, with even the official Cyberpunk 2077 Twitter account trolling "We can assure you: it‘s not us. We are the driving force behind 'add Linux support for GOG Galaxy' though" in reply to GOG post about showing 2077 gameplay.
Every time I've spoken to the GOG team over the last few years, they just repeatedly told me it wasn't planned, despite the wishlist entry still listing it as "in progress" and their original announcement mentioning it would come to Linux too and that it was "being done with PC, Mac and Linux in mind" (so much for that huh?).
At least there's applications like the Heroic Games Launcher and Lutris that can help you manage your GOG games on Linux. Still, it would be nice if GOG at some point put some more resources into improving their Linux support. Plus, if you're going to be using a Steam Deck, buying from Steam just makes a lot more sense when it's far easier to access so I imagine that's eventually going to cost GOG a few more sales too and they're not exactly doing well.
It is a shame for those that want the Galaxy client, as I actually love what GOG do. The main idea that you can just log in and download a full offline installer is great and their repeated revivals of old games is wonderful too. But without Galaxy, some games end up missing features for Linux or just skipping a Linux build entirely on GOG.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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In a way sad, but also squashes false hope.
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blindcoder Jul 1, 2022
Ah, come on... I was really really hoping that we would get one... eventually... some day?
Lutris is good, and lgogdownloader a necessity... but... <sad noises>
Lutris is good, and lgogdownloader a necessity... but... <sad noises>
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really bad timing for then, steam deck will make linxu somewhat relevant and they will missing the hype train.
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Given I stick to lgogdownloader as my archiver and minigalaxy as my GOG Launcher - not too bothered(at least for native releases, lutris for wine). Having talked with some devs about issues they have on releasing Linux builds on GOG - there is a lot more they need to do behind the scenes then anything. Still I'll prefer GOG over any other store.
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Quoting: elmapulreally bad timing for then, steam deck will make linxu somewhat relevant and they will missing the hype train.
Nope.
If there is one thing Steam Deck does now, it is glorifying Steam itself.
Surely they are not limiting device in any way to handle other stores, you can even install Windows but since that is a console and most people will be opted to where out of box experience is good; it is Steam and Proton.
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StalePopcorn Jul 1, 2022
When I was using macOS their client stopped working a while ago, giving unknown errors, I stopped buying from them then… 
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I keep trying to support GoG, but they keep giving me less and less reason to.
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Save game synchronization is a really useful feature you don't get without Galaxy. So it is a downside for me. Do any of the community clients synchronize save games with GoGs servers?
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Quoting: dorron...and that's why i don't buy anything from GOG.
Me neither anymore - completely ignored the Summer Sale this year (apart from adding the free games to my account).
But, hey, having the Deck - things like this just make purchasing from Valve even less of a decision.
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Quoting: PikoloSave game synchronization is a really useful feature you don't get without Galaxy. So it is a downside for me. Do any of the community clients synchronize save games with GoGs servers?
It will be in Heroic in testing soon. The people there are doing what GOG apparently can't be bothered to. Honestly, if it wasn't for projects like Heroic, HeroicBashLauncher, and BoilR, I would have already stopped buying from GOG as well. Long-time archival of games I bought is the only reason for me of buying from them anymore, and I don't feel like they're taking that all that seriously anymore either. From a standpoint of comfortably playing games, Steam is miles ahead imo.
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StoneColdSpider Jul 1, 2022
Quoting: dorron...and that's why i don't buy anything from GOG.
Yeap same here..... I have had a GOG account since 2011 and have never spent a single dollarydoo on it.... I get the free games and thats it...
I made my choice many years ago to go with Steam as my main/only digital store..... and as time passes its more and more apparent that I have made the right choice......
Steam/Valve are not perfect but they are the best we got right now....
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Quoting: LeopardQuoting: elmapulreally bad timing for then, steam deck will make linxu somewhat relevant and they will missing the hype train.
Nope.
If there is one thing Steam Deck does now, it is glorifying Steam itself.
Surely they are not limiting device in any way to handle other stores, you can even install Windows but since that is a console and most people will be opted to where out of box experience is good; it is Steam and Proton.
i know, but they would still make more money by supporting it than not supporting.
not to mention they can even enter the hardware market thenselves...maybe...
imagine an gogOS
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Quoting: elmapuli know, but they would still make more money by supporting it than not supporting.They could have shown that they keep their promises, and actually can develop their way out of a wet paper bag, and got the same positive PR that Microsoft and Epic did ("what a neat device to play our games on!"), but instead they've chosen to get... none of that.
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oberjaeger Jul 1, 2022
In my opinion they have become a joke long ago. I wonder why they are worth being mentioned here...
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ssj17vegeta Jul 1, 2022
Of one the many companies that ended up backstabbing the Linux community. Again.
I love their anti-DRM policy - for which they're pretty much the only ones fighting for), but I started doubting their good faith towards the Linux community from the day they released their awful Witcher 2 port.
Ever since, they have proven time and time again an increasingly hostile stance towards Linux. It's a pity, but I guess, more power to Steam
I love their anti-DRM policy - for which they're pretty much the only ones fighting for), but I started doubting their good faith towards the Linux community from the day they released their awful Witcher 2 port.
Ever since, they have proven time and time again an increasingly hostile stance towards Linux. It's a pity, but I guess, more power to Steam
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PublicNuisance Jul 1, 2022
I'll never understand the logic of Linux gamers. GOG gets criticized for not having a Linux version of their client by the same people who, a majority of, run out in droves to buy Windows games to play in Wine/Proton. It's ok for them to support those who don't support Linux but not for GOG to not offer a Linux version of their client, even though they sell Linux versions of games. The hypocrisy is mind blowing.
Some Linux ports on Steam also have this issue such as Feral ports that don't have cross platform multiplayer.
QuoteBut without Galaxy, some games end up missing features for Linux
Some Linux ports on Steam also have this issue such as Feral ports that don't have cross platform multiplayer.
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Quoting: PublicNuisanceI'll never understand the logic of Linux gamers. GOG gets criticized for not having a Linux version of their client by the same people who, a majority of, run out in droves to buy Windows games to play in Wine/Proton. It's ok for them to support those who don't support Linux but not for GOG to not offer a Linux version of their client, even though they sell Linux versions of games. The hypocrisy is mind blowing.
QuoteBut without Galaxy, some games end up missing features for Linux
Some Linux ports on Steam also have this issue such as Feral ports that don't have cross platform multiplayer.
There is no comparison between Valve's and GOG's support of Linux.
GOG reluctantly provide Linux versions of some games. They don't provide Galaxy which means there are missing features in many of those games, like multiplayer or leaderboards. They basically tell people: look, you can game on Windows and get everything, or, yeah, you can game on Linux if you're insane and are OK with missing features and a lesser experience.
Valve provide everything for Linux, from a full-featured client up to enabling Windows-only games to run on Linux with full features. Feral ports are Feral's fault, not Valve's. You can always install the Windows version, which Valve directly allow and enable you to do, to get cross platform multiplayer.
When you buy from GOG, you support the game's creators and GOG, who do nothing to make Linux a more attractive gaming platform. When you buy from Steam, you support the game's creators and Valve, who spend huge amounts of money to make Linux gaming viable (the reason why they do it is debatable, but irrelevant here).
So, yeah. No hypocrisy there.
Last edited by damarrin on 1 July 2022 at 4:19 pm UTC
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Quoting: PublicNuisanceI'll never understand the logic of Linux gamers. GOG gets criticized for not having a Linux version of their client by the same people who, a majority of, run out in droves to buy Windows games to play in Wine/Proton. It's ok for them to support those who don't support Linux but not for GOG to not offer a Linux version of their client, even though they sell Linux versions of games. The hypocrisy is mind blowing.
QuoteBut without Galaxy, some games end up missing features for Linux
Some Linux ports on Steam also have this issue such as Feral ports that don't have cross platform multiplayer.
I agree the vitriol is misplaced.
If I recall correctly (probably not) Valve made a business decision around the time of Windows 8 to seek other platforms as they were concerned that Microsoft would not allow other stores on it’s platforms for gaming. Valve has had a similar issue with Sony and the Playstation, which resulted in specific Portal ports and special PSN-Steam linking. But keep in mind whatever the history:
Valve chose to spend time developing Linux specific software. Valve also had the capital to do this.
GOG offers some Linux versions of games but has not invested effort in developing Linux specific software. Probably also for capital reasons.
Now throw entitled gamers into the mix.
Now that we have a garden of eden of Linux gaming, thanks to Valve but more importantly thanks to the people behind WINE (which in turn enabled Valve in the first place). What do you think these entitled gamers want?
I buy from GOG because they’re DRM-free. I don’t need another chromium install that validates game files are stored specifically or something to download and manage DRM. I also don’t need achievements. Lutris gets me 90% of the way there. Mumble, discord add another 5% and the last 5% is features missing from Linux versions which is on the developer. I’ll just play a different game.
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While it was nice to get stuff DRM free, I hardly used it anyway.
I rather support Valve who have a stake in Linux now and did invest, even if it's another layer of DRM. With all those launchers it seems we hardly get around that in future anyway.
GOG is just another sales platform, and while Valves pricing is using their power on the market, it's a capitalist world and I would not trust any other company not to do the same or worse.
I do not see that market shifting any time soon. There are players with the capacity for that (Google, Amazon, Microsoft as examples), but none offer terms which make Developers AND players switch. That could only be done by lower pricing than on a competitors store and better terms for developers if the storefront goes with low profit. And that is not likely to happen.
I rather support Valve who have a stake in Linux now and did invest, even if it's another layer of DRM. With all those launchers it seems we hardly get around that in future anyway.
GOG is just another sales platform, and while Valves pricing is using their power on the market, it's a capitalist world and I would not trust any other company not to do the same or worse.
I do not see that market shifting any time soon. There are players with the capacity for that (Google, Amazon, Microsoft as examples), but none offer terms which make Developers AND players switch. That could only be done by lower pricing than on a competitors store and better terms for developers if the storefront goes with low profit. And that is not likely to happen.
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