Linux Gaming

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Is Linux support still needed nowadays, or is Steam OS good enough? (imgur.com)

submitted 5 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

98 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hey there!

I'm a solo dev working on a sci-fi grand strategy game (I didn't manage to find if self-promo is allowed so I'll keep the name for myself).

I was updating my planning and started to think: since my game will be published on Steam, it will be playable on Linux using Compatibility Mode even if I don't specifically target Linux itself. I myself play on an Ubuntu and this allows me to play almost every Windows game (old ones are more capricious, but recent ones are ok).

So I'm wondering, is there really an advantage to have native Linux support nowadays? As a solo dev, the thing I lack the most is time. The days/weeks/months it would take me to add it and fix all the probable bugs it entails could be used to improve the game itself or add features instead for example.

On a more general note, what do you other Linux players expect from a Linux game?

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 days ago (3 children)

I only purchase native titles, because native support means support.

Ideally you should be writing your code to be as portable as possible, in an engine that offers top-notch cross-platform support.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 days ago (2 children)

some native titles are absolute ass and it leaves room for people to even disable wine support because you already have native (even though native sucks ass)

Example? CS2.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Recently installed Total Warhammer 3 which I didn't notice had a native Linux client. Multiplayer didn't work. Textures never loaded in. Loading times ass.

Switched to Proton and everything worked flawlessly.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

Have seen other games where Linux native got neglected to the point where proton is just better experience lol

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

Many times I have enabled compatibility mode in Steam to run the Windows version, which actually works.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

If I have a problem I don't even mention I use Wine/Proton. Many games and software devs just tell you that only Windows is supported and move on.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

Well, that's what I'm doing, I'm not writing for Windows specifically, and I'm using an engine that works well with any OS. But there is a difference between making the build and supporting it, it's an actual commitment. Like others said here it's a bad experience to try to use a native build and have it being bad or worse than a Win build that goes through Proton.

In the end I think I'll make builds and try to find testers for every OS, and try to estimate the viability of having a specific build using their feedback.