Linux version?

(abelthorne) #1

Hello,
Given the fact that Splash Damage released Linux version of their previous games (Wolfenstein: Enemy Territori and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars), that the game uses OpenGL and that idTech engines have been ported to Linux before, is there a slight chance that we can see a Linux client of Brink one day?

I believe the chances are close to zero but has there been informations from SD about this? like:

  • the game is kind of dead (alas) and no more work will be made on it?
  • the team would like to support Linux but Bethesda doesn’t want?
  • Linux is less commercially viable than when ETQW, Doom 3 or Quake 4 were released (I would doubt so but it’s a possible explanation)?
  • the game depends heavily on Steam and thus would need a large amount of work (or it would be kind of impossible) to port it to a system where Steam isn’t available?

(Btw, the question can apply to MacOS too, although I don’t know if there were Mac versions of previous SD/idSoftware games − on the other hand, Steam is available on Mac so the last potential reason wouldn’t apply for Mac.)

(Ruben0s) #2

They said that there wouldn’t be a linux version unless beth pays for it. They said this somewhere in 2009. So no, there is no chance that it will happen.

(zenstar) #3

They haven’t even been able to release the linux server. I doubt you’ll see a linux client.
The PC community is dead, SD are working on their next game already and funding for further work is unlikely as it wouldn’t net a return on investment. Considering those facts I know where I’d put my money if I were a betting man.

Linux isn’t a gaming platform unfortunately. Not that it can’t be… it’s just not really supported by many people and with people moving more console-centric Linux is getting left by the wayside. If there’s going to be a PC version it’s going to be Windows. The funding to cross platform and then test just doesn’t warrant the investment as the return isn’t high enough.

(abelthorne) #4

Yeah, but I was wondering if there had been any info about it, as their previous games were Linux-friendly. Looks like Ruben0s answered my question. :confused:

The PC community is dead, SD are working on their next game already and funding for further work is unlikely as it wouldn’t net a return on investment. Considering those facts I know where I’d put my money if I were a betting man.

Well, I was wondering if maybe some developer was working on it on his spare time or something like that? It’s supposed to be the case for Rage at id Software (unless things changed) so maybe it is too at Splash Damage.

Linux isn’t a gaming platform unfortunately. Not that it can’t be… it’s just not really supported by many people and with people moving more console-centric Linux is getting left by the wayside. If there’s going to be a PC version it’s going to be Windows. The funding to cross platform and then test just doesn’t warrant the investment as the return isn’t high enough.

Yup, but I think the situation is slowly changing. Some indie games have quite some success among Linux users (there’s less of them but they tend to pay more in operations like Humble Indie Bundle), so I guess it might interest some developers/publishers to look at that market these days. And again, as SD has been supporting Linux in the past, I was wondering about the way they see the current Linux market.

(badman) #5

Just to confirm, there’s no Linux version currently planned for the reasons already mentioned here.

(zenstar) #6

Oh, the indies are doing great things for linux gaming :slight_smile:
I don’t even use linux and I like that they are supporting every platform they can. More gamers with more games can not be a bad thing.

Thanks Badman for the official response.

(abelthorne) #7

Thanks for the official answer.

Anyway, are you still interested in Linux (in a general way) at Splash Damage or are these days over (because your current developers are not the same than at the time you developed WolfET and ETQW, for example)?

(badman) #8

[QUOTE=abelthorne;389812]Thanks for the official answer.

Anyway, are you still interested in Linux (in a general way) at Splash Damage or are these days over (because your current developers are not the same than at the time you developed WolfET and ETQW, for example)?[/QUOTE]
We look at target platforms/operating systems/etc on a project by project basis. While Brink did not get the Linux treatment, upcoming games could well do.

(AO) #9

What Badman said. Generally, with time and scheduling permitting I’d love to keep a Linux version compiling :slight_smile: