Activision won't allow port to linux ? (no conspiracy afterall)

[Elixer]

See Jodell88's post below. http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=35839945&postcount=10

Figured this deserved its own thread. I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but my previous statement that GK would be available on Linux turns out to be incorrect. I can't even begin to imagine why, but Activision isn't allowing the game to be made for that platform. Just PC, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

http://forum.pinkertonroad.com/showthread.php?803-GK-*not*-releasing-on-Linux

So, Android base linux is OK, iOS based on BSD is OK, but nothing else ?

Seems like a odd decision, I wonder if it has anything to do with steam coming to linux, and trying to bring all games with it ?
Perhaps Activision wants full control of their walled garden ?

 

[mizzou]

You know, the Origin system thing has worked just fine for me...it is a bit clunky, but it works fine.

I'm sure just based on their distribution software, they want to keep as many $$$ in their own pockets and not use a third party like Steam to do it for them.

Now that Steam is wanting to distance itself from OEM's, and at even more control, I'm sure it is not a popular outlook amongst the big software publishing companies.

At some point...people will port it to Linux just to get more $$$ anyway, but it will likely be a shitty port.

 

[Lonyo]

"PC".
What the hell is PC. Last I checked, PCs run Linux, Windows, OSX or other operating systems.

Pretty much the *worst* place to write "PC" when you mean "Windows"... when talking about no Linux support.
Good job.

At least that's one thing this new wave of "omg Linux gaming" might sort out. The use of the term PC.

 

[mizzou]

"PC".
What the hell is PC. Last I checked, PCs run Linux, Windows, OSX or other operating systems.

Pretty much the *worst* place to write "PC" when you mean "Windows"... when talking about no Linux support.
Good job.

At least that's one thing this new wave of "omg Linux gaming" might sort out. The use of the term PC.

I haven't bought a boxed computer game in forever...don't they still say PC/MAC?

I understand where you are coming from, but PC has been a general term used for a computer operating windows for a very long time. Linux has always been an extremely niche/enthusiast market.

 

[mmntech]

So I won't be able to play Call of Duty with my bros on my SteamBox? Oh, won't somebody please think of the children?!

Seriously, they haven't made anything I've wanted to play in ages. Most of their games are rubbish outside the CoD and Guitar Hero franchises.

 

[cronos]

"PC".
What the hell is PC. Last I checked, PCs run Linux, Windows, OSX or other operating systems.

Pretty much the *worst* place to write "PC" when you mean "Windows"... when talking about no Linux support.
Good job.

At least that's one thing this new wave of "omg Linux gaming" might sort out. The use of the term PC.

I'm with you. This annoys me a lot. A PC is by definition a personal computer and can come with all kinds of different operating systems.

I blame Apple's series of ads of 'I'm a Mac, I'm a PC' as one of the major reasons it's currently messed up like this.

 

[dguy6789]

"PC".
What the hell is PC. Last I checked, PCs run Linux, Windows, OSX or other operating systems.

PC means Windows nowadays. Mac means PC with OSX. They have to specifically say Linux to indicate Linux support.

 

[HeXen]

Makes perfect sense, Android, Windows and IOS are far more popular than Linux. Invest in software and you will make it for the platforms that will provide the most money. When/if Linux takes a large enough share then then the investments will come but you have to invest first to get investments and the big 3 companies invest more money into their platforms than the Linux community does.

 

[DaveSimmons]

IBM (mis)appropriated the term "PC" for Microsoft-based personal computers in 1981, it's a bit late to rant about it now

 

[Jodell88]

http://forum.pinkertonroad.com/show...leasing-on-Linux&p=29327&viewfull=1#post29327

Guys, I've just become aware of this thread. I just want to clarify.

1. First, we never said MGX would be released on Linux only that Moebius would be. If you look down at the bottom of the kickstarter page it just says MGX is new and still TBD. So there were no promises broken or blocked by either Pinkerton Road or Activision. Keep in mind that from the start we realized that MGX was a game we were working with a publisher on, and we would have less control over. I don't see that as a bad thing. It's FANTASTIC that we are doing the GK1 remake. And that means working with the GK license holder. Also, to reiterate, MGX/GK1 is *not* being funded by kickstarter. That money all went into Moebius (and then some).

2. Secondly, we are thrilled to have gotten the license to release GK1 on PC, Mac, Apple mobile and Android. There is no anti-Linux conspiracy. We are also not releasing on console either, for example. It was simply a matter of "these platforms make the most sense in the market right now, let's release there and see how it goes". We may be granted permission to do more platforms later, but that depends on how well the game turns out and how it sells.

I know those of you who are passionate about Linux are disappointed, but there is nothing to be upset at Activision about (or, I hope, me!).

Jane

 

[Elixer]

Thanks for the clarification link Jodell88

 

[cronos]

IBM (mis)appropriated the term "PC" for Microsoft-based personal computers in 1981, it's a bit late to rant about it now

They named it the IBM PC, as in IBM version of the PC. It was Apple that somehow wants their PCs to be called just 'Mac' instead of 'Macintosh PC'.