Growing Linux Game Market?
April 6th, 2004 by jvmLinuxWorld has posted an article titled The Growing Market for Linux Games by Jay Swackhammer. The author puts forth a case that “[t]here is more Linux-game-buying demand out there than some people would like you to think”, citing the number of games available, the presence of Linux gamers on the various online forums, smooth installations of 3D hardware drivers, and the ease of supporting Linux end users.
Editorial comment: An opposing view can be read on Curmudgeon Gamer.
April 6th, 2004 at 12:23 pm
Swackhammer’s points aren’t really convincing. The only one that actually relates to the thesis is the one about people posting on message boards. If there’s one thing Loki learned, and current places selling Linux games know, it’s that people’s mouths are a lot bigger than their wallets. Assuming that every message board poster will buy a game is foolish, and even if they did Linux games would still sell poorly when compared to anything but Mac games.
A side note, I think that’s what we should be aiming for… a self-sustaining market, much like Mac games. We just need more people buying games.
April 6th, 2004 at 8:22 pm
The game companies must ship their windows games with a linux version in the same box and do
that for about 3-4 years with every game regularly so that the gamers get used to it.
Then we will have a settled linux gaming market with enough money.
But before the companys do that, we must open our mouths and shout at them. :D
April 7th, 2004 at 3:54 am
I do agree with the author on his points, as many are valid and I myself would gladly toss windows away for good if I could, but the games and apps are all towards windows thanks to gates cornering the whole market. Some points I would like to make are that I’ve approched companies with making a linux/mac port and have been told by numerous ones that it’s just not profitable to do. Some things would need to change for linux to really become mainstream in the gaming world:
I. Easier to use/install without using the shell/command prompt. RedHat/Mandrake/SuSE are close to this, but it’s still nowhere near the level it should be to compete head on with Windows.
II. More streamlined tools to work with in the graphics/sound department. There needs to be some kind of standard to use instead of all these different types like sdl/open gl/open al/oss etc.
III. Companies that make linux/mac ports need to be supported and told that you support them and thank them for making the ports possible such as:
A. ID Software
B. Epic
C. Bioware
D. S2 Games
E. Linux Game Publishing
F. Ryan Gordon (not a company but he could be for all the work he has done for linux)
IV. Petitions need to be made if you want a game on linux/mac and the company feels it is not worth it to them to make that port happen. Post on the companies forums (if they have one) and ask if they would be willing to make a linux/mac port. And of course keep it professional and clean, as yelling “joo company is teh suxorz for not porting” is not going to help your case.
Overall, the bottom line is what many company’s look at and I’ve personally spent many hours trying to talk to companies about why a multi-platform release for their product is good for business, even if it costs abit more to produce. Unfortunatly many times it is like talking to a brick wall and unless they can see the money pooring in, they won’t budge on it no matter how good you talk or what facts you bring to the table.
So it is vital that we as linux gamers continue to support those companies that DO listen to us and make ports possible in the first place.
Regards
April 7th, 2004 at 9:20 am
Every one I know ones Linux, But theres not enough games at regular stores If every game ported to linux did it like savage did, Im sure the Linux Gaming market, and the Linux market in general would start to grow rapidly
April 7th, 2004 at 10:07 am
I can care less what the rest of the Linux gaming market is like. All I know is I bought NWN along with expansions, will buy UT2004 soon as school is out, and will buy Doom 3 when it comes out. I want these games to continue flowing but spending hours here arguing instead of spending hours working and buying the games seemes fruitless.
Still, I am sure video game companies pay attention to this stuff…
April 7th, 2004 at 10:38 am
I agree, right now Im working on making a “contact” program for this guy Im working for, Im going to do under the gpl ofcourse But im going to make money so I can buy ut2004 :) And then put in on kde-apps.org
April 8th, 2004 at 4:17 am
If Linux will became mainstream, there will be plenty games for linux. If not – not.
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