The main problem would be convincing one of the major distros to include it. Even in a non-free repository. And worse would be the fact that the repository wouldn't be under Paragon's control.
Tack on the fact that the app is supposed to be self-updating and has zero way to check for dependecies...
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Which distro? Who's going to pay for the thousand hours of developement to port everything? What happens in 6 months when the distros change kernels and lots of things break?
The other stuff aside, it's just not economically feasable.
How many Linux users are there?
How many of them are actually interested in running COH?
Those aside, while the Mac version (which also has issues) has a specific company to go to - which is the cause of some of the issues of the Mac version - who does NC go to for support?
How much are they going to pay to train (and maintain training) their support for Linux?
Not to mention their developers.
Not to mention possibly running afoul of code that was "borrowed" somewhere - or that gets suspected of being "borrowed" somewhere, dragging them into a lawsuit they're not interested in, even if it's baseless, due to code that's not under their control?
Last but not least... if Linux gaming were so lucrative (and the last numbers I saw put desktop linux - not servers, not linux-derived Android phones - at less than 1% usage,) major gaming houses would be developing for it. We'd have a WoW/Linux. SWTOR/Linux. Arkham Asylum for Linux. Instead, we get small-time indie people getting creative, but still porting fairly small time games. Having the game "explode under Linux" would, unfortunately, be roughly someone throwing two of those paper "poppers" on a busy street. There'd be a little notice, then nothing.
If they are gonna do a Linux version then I want a version compatible with my old IBM System/3.
Note that if you pay for the Cedega subscription-based WINE service, you should be able to play CoH under Linux as-is pretty easily.
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Obvious Troll is Obvious.|
Originally Posted by Forbin_Project
If they are gonna do a Linux version then I want a version compatible with my old IBM System/3.
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But that aside, the main problem is that it costs money to get things developed and tested to run on a new platform, even when you're doing it via something like WINE (Which is effectively what the Mac version is doing) and to my knowledge the game has a fair few Windows dependencies (even though it's not using DirectX for the rendering engine) not least the godawful NCSoft Launcher.
Like it or not, there just isn't a big enough audience of Linux users who a) want to play games on it and b) Are willing to install any software that isn't 100% open source, to make it worth the investment to support the platform.
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Or don't pay, use WINE directly and the instructions here. |
Originally Posted by Robotech_Master
Note that if you pay for the Cedega subscription-based WINE service, you should be able to play CoH under Linux as-is pretty easily.
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I found it a bit of a PITA, personally, but once set up it works.
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If you've only played an AT once (one set combo) and "hate" it - don't give up. Roll a different combo. It may just be those sets not clicking for you.
Also unlike other sample games given out with systems like Windows, CoH is huge client side. This means time to load it to the drives (things are fast these days but all time costs) plus customers not happy to have to deinstall it to get space back.
Windows games that come with system are tiny and pretty much worthless. You mean someone thinks you might actually like them?
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You can't please everyone, so lets concentrate on me.
While I am a VIP member, (been one for years in my own mind) I couldn't help but wonder after a rather successful attempt of running COH under Linux why the client isn't ported to Linux or more specifically a particular distro?
So far I'm quite pleased at the outcome of pretty much running the game in a state that mimics the feel of running it under Windows. So far the only things of note that stuck out as potential problems are:
* Problems with PayPal purchases of Paragon points
* Sound not as clear as it is in Windows
* Graphical effects sometimes not rendering (but this is rare)
Other than what's listed above I was ecstatic to get the game running under a x86-64 version of Linux and Wine with Ultra settings. I couldn't help but think to myself, "What if this was included within every version of Linux with F2P restrictions?" Considering the dearth of Linux games this could very well be a game that explodes under Linux for those users/individuals looking for a decent game to play. The launcher is small and would easily fit on a Live CD, which could then spawn an installation of wine, updater and icons.
This is just a thought but COH (other than WOW) has been one of the few that exhibits a relatively good track record of running in Linux with a small amount of effort. I think it would be a good way to increase the number of users. What do you think?