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GOG is really behind Linux games

Discussion in 'Games' started by allenskd, Dec 6, 2014.

  1. allenskd

    allenskd Active Member

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    Hey guys,

    Just wanted to share some thoughts here on GOG.com, as much as I love them they are reallyyyy behind linux games. Even digital distributions like Humble Bundle are quick to add the linux counterpart, but with GOG this isn't the case. For example, there's this game I want to play called Expeditions: Conquistador, the linux version has been around on Steam for months now.

    Even Humble Store has it with its linux package: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/p/expeditions_conquistador_storefront

    I'm sick tired of the waiting. GOG is a small team sure, so is humble bundle. GOG is backed by CDProjekt which makes a huge difference.

    Really frustrating on GOG's part. I might as well just buy all the games on Steam or Humble Bundle :/
  2. booman

    booman Grand High Exalted Mystic Emperor of Linux Gaming Staff Member

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    Tower of Guns and Signal Ops both have native Linux version in Steam as well, but not on GOG
    There must be some political or monetary reason why these games aren't on GOG
    It doesn't make any sense to me.

    If GOG is pushing Linux why aren't these games available on their site with Linux counterparts?
    GOG doesn't even have to port them, these game are read-to-go
  3. allenskd

    allenskd Active Member

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    Today, I've been mindblown by the response given by GOG on the matter... pretty much a canned response that leaves much to be desired:

    So... it doesn't really answer anything. I guess I'll go ask the creators to see if they can shed some light.
  4. booman

    booman Grand High Exalted Mystic Emperor of Linux Gaming Staff Member

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    Yeah, it sounds like they only have a small staff working on Linux and (as usual) its not high priority.
    How hard can it be to make an already-Linux-ready-product available? As noted in my last post...
  5. Daerandin

    Daerandin Well-Known Member

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    I've been using GOG since the beta startup years ago. I get the impression that they focus a bit too much on creating the "hassle-free" installers. Before they started selling Linux versions too, they would often state when asked about Linux that it was a very difficult platform because of the different distributions. They did not want to begin supporting a new platform unless they could provide the same support and easy installers as they have for windows and mac.

    GOG also actually fully play through games on the supported platform before offering the game to ensure that it works.
    booman likes this.
  6. booman

    booman Grand High Exalted Mystic Emperor of Linux Gaming Staff Member

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    Good point! I totally forgot about the installers. I have yet to install a GOG Linux game because I do so many PlayOnLinux tests.
    So they have to make their own Linux Installer for all Linux games. Even the UDK or Unity games?
  7. Daerandin

    Daerandin Well-Known Member

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    They make .deb files for installing the game on Ubuntu and Mint. Although there are actually a couple of games on GOG that don't have those .deb installers, The Witcher 2 and Dreamfall Chapters. So I am not sure why they don't have such installers for all games.

    The Ubuntu/Mint installer really only ensure you have all dependencies installed as far as I understand. I just use the .tar archive they also offer and extract it.

    Personally I think it is their focus on quality that is slowing them down. They really do take time to test things before making it available to customers.
  8. booman

    booman Grand High Exalted Mystic Emperor of Linux Gaming Staff Member

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    I think its great they focus on ease-of-use
    How are gamers going to be attracted to Linux if they have problems installing their game?
    .Deb files work perfectly for me.

    I've downloaded a few from HumbleBundle.com and they install just fine.

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