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Latest Comments by Alm888
GOG to go through some reorganization after suffering losses
30 November 2021 at 4:35 pm UTC

Quoting: scaineBut I've bought two bundles on Itch, which amounts to several hundred games/tools, and while I page through, or search those titles on that same page, there's no way to see them in the client. You have to go to the game's web page and activate it somehow - I forget how now, but when I realised I'd have to do so for 59 pages of games, I gave up.
You have to attempt to download the game at least once. Download from a bundle page also works, no need to go to the game's page.

That was done so in order not to clutter the library with useless (for yourself) entries: some bundles are really big (like 1000+ entries from one of the charity bundles a year ago or so), but contain mostly game assets and prototypes, and most of the people got the bundle for just a couple of games.

Quoting: scaineBut as I say, my main gripe is that while I bought, say, Nuclear Throne, on Itch about 3 years ago, I can still buy it again, while logged in, with no warning at all that I already own it. Now extend that to 59 pages of bundles... yeech.
Yes, you can. And even may want to, if you really want to show support. I've bought a game I got from that bundle because I knew that was a charity and developers did not get any money that time around, but I liked the game.

Besides, itch.io warns you that you are in fact have the game already (at least on the game's page).

GOG to go through some reorganization after suffering losses
30 November 2021 at 3:46 pm UTC Likes: 3

Quoting: scaineNot as bad as Itch though, which lets you re-buy games you already own with no warning whatsoever. Just buy it over and over again, no problem. So flawed. And of course, since there's no way to see what you own on Itch.... nah, I gave up. It might be an open source client, but it hasn't evolved significantly at all in the years since it arrived. Just such a shame.
https://itch.io/my-purchases

Do not thank me. :)

GOG to go through some reorganization after suffering losses
30 November 2021 at 1:37 pm UTC Likes: 3

Quoting: kaimanI find it rather difficult to rack up such a loss from selling digital goods. The apparent need to "focus more on its core business activity" seems to indicate that a lot of effort went into things that are peripheral to the selling of same. This begs the questions what those other activities were, seeing that GOG is already pretty bare-bones as is.

Could this pertain to GOG Galaxy and the associated backend functionality for achievements, cloud-saves and such? Though even that doesn't look like something you could sink $2m and likely more, assuming the actual selling of games is profitable.

Personally, I hope that doesn't mean they'll end up including fewer games in their catalogue. I hardly buy anything outside GOG these days, and it's always a shame if a title I absolutely want to try does not make it to GOG, or only with much delay.
Galaxy promotion, "IO Interactive" bribery for "Hitman", excess expenses on providing 3rd party launcher compatibility, GWENT infrastructure expenses (is it still a thing?), "FCK DRM" and other useless PR moves.

GOG has made a lot of unnecessary moves recently, while spending exactly $0 on Linux support and infrastructure (remember: Linux "backup" offline updates, which are in fact, complete re-downloads because no patching mechanism has been implemented at all yet, are still being added manually), so Linux support nets GOG very little and costs a lot.

On top of that, the site is in shambles: main page design was made by clowns under supervision of monkeys (still no ability to filter out games without Linux support!), the forum is something out of horror movies: it really does not like… anything. From page scaling to message notification, has zero spam protection (they clean spam manually!) and a dysfunctional "reputation" system, often used for downvoting people via scripts.

So GOG managed to cast away core DRM-free fans, yet failed to recruit new customers from Steam or other stores. I presume, people just don't want to have any business with such a "store".

Kingdom Come: Deliverance gets shown off on the Steam Deck
18 November 2021 at 2:06 pm UTC Likes: 1

Quoting: FrawoHow would you demonstrate that by not buying the game?
And why shall I demonstrate anything to them? They don't care about me, I don't care about them.
Quoting: FrawoAt the current numbers of gamers that only play native Linux games they won't even recognize you, and they certainly don't loose any money by doing so.
And by purchasing their Windows-exclusive game I would be definitely recognized… as a Windows customer. Ever tried to put out fires by splashing gasoline?
Quoting: FrawoFor me, buying a windows game and playing it on Linux to make it count as a Linux sale would possibly help more.
How so? It is a taming process. Think about positive and negative feedback. By giving developers food for their misbehavior you encourage them to continue doing so. Positive feedback, you see? They had released Windows-only game, you gave them your money. Corollary: they've done everything right.
It is not my protest that matters (you are sort of right here, but not quite), but your compliance.

On the contrary, I prefer to reward and encourage good behavior. Let's face it, I have a finite amount of money and, more importantly, a finite amount of time, attention and passion. And instead of wasting it on Windows-exclusive games I prefer to concentrate on Linux-native ones. Which means not only giving money to Linux-friendly devs, but submitting bug reports and being generally helpful as well.

IMO, we should care less about those devs who spit on us and more for those who show us support (despite all difficulties: admit it, working with Linux and around its quirks is not like a walk in the park).
Quoting: FrawoBut that is just my personal stance... In the end, I just want to play games on Linux, no matter if it is Windows or Linux native.
Which means they tamed you. :)
But I'm a wild beast and will not eat from their hand.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance gets shown off on the Steam Deck
17 November 2021 at 2:58 pm UTC Likes: 1

Quoting: scaine…I'm definitely native-first and big-sale-only otherwise.
Same here. There might be an occurrence of me buying a Windows-exclusive game, but it must satisfy a set of criteria: 1) be more than twelve years old; 2) have a "Platinum" rating on WINE's appdb (no, "protondb" won't do); 3) cost less than ₽100 (which means a discount most of the times) and most importantly 4) I must be really interested in it, more interested than any of the current Linux-native games at the time (not a small feat, considering point #1 -- this mandates a game to be a "Cult Classic", like "Fallout 2").
Of cource, one does not look into a gifted horse's mouth. I don't have any issues with (non-malware) freeware Windows-exclusive games like "Iji", "Cave Story" (played before Linux version came into existence), "Decker", "Orbiter", "Streets of Rage Remake" or great many others.

Quoting: scaineIt'll be interesting to see how SteamDeck changes the landscape, if at all. I'd like to see Linux (gaming) market share rise to around 5%, which I think is the point where you just can't really choose to ignore it as a platform, but a 5x increase is asking a lot, particularly in these post-COVID, silicon-starved times.
That's what Proton™ adopters are hopeful about. That increase in player base will persuade more developers to notice Linux. Personally I think there is a hole in this logic: why developers should take Linux into account if Linux gamers are demonstrating that releasing Windows-exclusive games is not only tolerated, but desirable (some say they'd rather have a Proton-compatible game than be left with unmaintained subpar "Linux port") action and the developers are not losing any money by doing so. But we shall see.

Meanwhile, we shall also see how "Warhorse Studios"'s PR department will bypass the fact that there was a Linux version promised previously and present us this Proton-compatible release as a great act of benevolence.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance gets shown off on the Steam Deck
17 November 2021 at 2:03 pm UTC Likes: 4

Quoting: scaineSpeak for yourself. I only buy Windows-only games at absolutely rock bottom prices and rarely even then - most of my Windows library post-2013 is from Humble Monthly/Choice. I've bought several native titles at full price though.
Ah, nice to meet a compatriot! I myself is a strict believer in "No Tux No Bucks" philosophy. But let's not kid ourselves. We are an insignificant minority of a (in)significant minority. And some "Linux users" like to ostracize us, calling us "zealots". And that is not to mention audacious "Works Great With Proton" crowd on Reddit (and even in this very thread).

Like I said, love it or hate it, Linux is irrelevant, and the moment this game drops on Steam Deck Linux users' money will flow into the developers' pockets.
Quoting: scaineAlso, I tend to remember developer's antics.
You do. I do. But newcomers don't. And they will get the game.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance gets shown off on the Steam Deck
17 November 2021 at 12:56 pm UTC Likes: 1

Quoting: CatKiller
  • developer promises Mac & Linux support

  • developer breaks promise, demonstrating that they can't be trusted

  • developer promises Steam Deck support

  • ...
  • Linux users happily buy developer's Windows-exclusive product




Love it or hate it, such a world we are living in. Linux is irrelevant. This story will (I suppose) prove this developer's initial assertion of the market was spot-on. It is better to ignore Linux completely -- less hassle that way and no real monetary loss.

Corpse Party gets a new version for 2021 that's out now
25 October 2021 at 8:20 pm UTC Likes: 1

Quoting: Liam DaweStill, the history is a little confusing as most sources state GrisGris being one of the original developers of the very first game in addition to Makoto Kedōin.
Understandable. Official WIKI has a little more in-depth story on these matters. But from what I could grasp, while original "CORPSE-PARTY" (capitals intended) won second prize on some local Japanese contest and inspired the "RPGMaker Horror" subgenre, it was virtually unknown in the West. Team GrisGris got the permission to make an episodic remake (initially all five chapters were separated in time of release), this remake also was not very popular. True overwhelming popularity came to these series with the aforementioned PSP port, which was (as is common with US of A "adaptations") renamed simply "Corpse Party" for English release.
Hence, a lot of people think the PSP version from 2010 is the "origilal" (like EN "Clock Tower" for PS1, which is in fact the "Clock Tower II").
Oh, and the "Corpse Party" 2016 is just a compilation of five episodes (from 2008 till 2011) of the PC.

Anyways, Team GrisGris was just milking the title for money, needlessly padding events. What was just a 10 minute event in the original (the "toilet quest") was stretched into the whole chapter! Oh, and they made stuff out of their minds, completely messing up characters' motives and the story as a whole, plus the episodic legacy is… not good: lots of filler events and characters, lots of over- and over-repeating of the same things.

I, for one, would love to see the original remade on the current technological level.

Corpse Party gets a new version for 2021 that's out now
25 October 2021 at 6:03 pm UTC Likes: 3

Quoteoriginal Team GrisGris
Team GrisGris is not the original developer. Makoto Kedouin is. And the true original game is the '96 one. It has a faithful (fan) remake "CORPSE PARTY -Rebuilt-" available in English.

This release, I presume, is a port of the PSP's "Corpse party BloodCovered: ...Repeated Fear". So, a port of a port of a remake… still claiming the original's title. Nuts.

EVERSPACE 2 full launch delayed into 2023
21 October 2021 at 9:19 pm UTC Likes: 1

I will believe in Linux release when I see one, not sooner.

Alas, between "Just Use Proton" and "Bloodscammed" (in other words, dropping Linux outright without any refunds regardless of Kickstarter promises) I've not given other options.