When BioWare was talking about a Linux client for NWN, they used language like “we plan to” and “we expect”, which some people took as a blood oath to release a Linux client in the same package with the Windows client, complete with penguin on the box.

A year after the Windows release we finally got a Linux client, and two years after that there were [i]still[/i] people around here who would go into hair-tearing, Wrath-of-Khan histrionics at the mention of the name “BioWare”.

I can’t help but wonder how much of that whining contributed to the current policy of routing all requests for a Linux port of NWN2 straight to /dev/null… uh, I mean “Recycle Bin”.

I should also add that yes, do I think these “focused” articles are really cool, and it’s great that there are devs out there who will take the time to address Linux users. Seriously, keep up the good work!

I’m usually optimistic until I see comments like that which generally mean the engine isn’t nearly as portable as they make it sound.

Sam and co. are some great developers. Savage was an outstanding piece of work, and it hooked me for a good year. When I first discovered Project Offset, I was pleased that Sam and a few of the other S2 guys would be moving on to work on something new, and have been crossing my fingers for a Linux release.

It’s not that I don’t also have a lot of hope in (the reformed) S2 Games’ Savage 2 release. I’m pleased that it’s coming to Linux as well. On the other hand, it is my opinion that the majority of the best brains behind the first Savage game are now working at Offset Software. I suspect that their Project Offset title will be quite impressive. And, though the game engine isn’t the most important thing of all, it’s quite pleasing to see that they are already picking up licenses for the new game engine. Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not believe that Silverback was ever licensed for a non-S2 game.

Sam – Thanks for talking with Micks about your new project. It’s exciting to hear what you have to say about Offset Software and your next game. As a fan of Savage, I hope that we Linux gamers will be able to experience your next game.

Game development, particularly for smaller outfits, is notorious for high-pressure schedules. With a project this ambitious, they’ll probably be under tremendous strain just to get the Windows version out on time. I’d be shocked if they could find the time to work on a port.

The idea that third-party licensees would “probably consider releasing a Linux client” because the engine is portable certainly isn’t borne out by history, either, considering how many Unreal and Quake 3 (and now Doom 3) engine licensees didn’t bother to port their games.

I always get a little edgy when I read this sort of language, because it seems people start to interpret “we’d like to do a Linux port” as “we swear on our mother’s graves there will be a Linux port”, and then when one fails to materialize, the once hopeful Linux users start screaming bloody murder about how they were lied to, and how they should boycott every future product from that company and publicly flog all its employees, etc.

I hope to read more of them.