Give Torchlight 2 native version for Linux!

[alexThunder]

Why on earth is it so hard to understand that they just aren't going to waste time porting it to Linux?

Why on earth do you bother?

[gold163]

It depends on how you design your software before start programming. If you use cross-platform software or fitting abstraction layers, it's pretty easy (i.e. wxWidgets for GUI, SDL for games or things like Java/Mono or even HTML5 and browser stuff). For platform specific things which remain, you can also build your own abstract layers (encapsulate what varies). It's just a question of (good) software engineering.

But if you make yourself dependent from platform-specific things from the beginning, it's much more difficult to port your software to another platform afterwards.

I kind of figured this; just was unsure of what exactly the ramifications were. I suppose the question now is, how dependent on platform-specific APIs and such is Torchlight 2? They're planning a Mac port, right? So they can't be that Windows dependent.

I can't imagine that the publisher would forbid a Linux port Oo Even if the company won't publish a Linux version, Runic could still release Linux binaries like id Software did with the Quake and Doom Series.

I can't imagine it either, but once again I'm unsure. Ultimately I think it comes down to whether Runic feels like it or not, and whether they have the experience necessary to make a Linux port. Or if not, at least make it easier for Linux users tinker with it.

Btw. considering id and their latest title: http://ttimo.typepad.com/blog/2009/09/i ... linux.html

Whose blog is that? I think I just found something to add to my blogroll.

Why on earth is it so hard to understand that they just aren't going to waste time porting it to Linux?

Never say never. More TL2 fans is a good thing. Even if Runic currently has no desire to port the game to Linux, it's good to let them know that there are people out there who would appreciate it. I know at one point I never believed the original Torchlight would work on an Xbox, and look where we are now. I also never believed that people would be so open to expanding Mac gaming, but companies like Valve really pushed it as of recently and now Mac ports are considered economically viable by many.

Maybe Runic wouldn't profit from making boxed copies of TL2 for Linux, but I think a digital distro method would work just fine. Either way, I'm sure many Linux fans are already expecting a "no, it won't happen," but persist in the hopes that someday they'll hear a "yes".

[grimonce]

I'd buy a linux version.

Not going to go into discussion about what is proffitable or not, or doable or requiring too much of effort.

If they make it, I'd be very glad, if not, no problem...

[alexThunder]

They're planning a Mac port, right? So they can't be that Windows dependent.

Might be true, but maybe they've swapped all Windows-dependencies with their mac counterparts - Would be too funny

Whose blog is that? I think I just found something to add to my blogroll.

Short: Works for id Software and was pretty much the only one porting the id games to Linux.

Long: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothee_Besset

[Jerich]

A linux based dedicated server would be the most interesting upgrade. My guess is that if they make a dedicated server, though, they will just make it run from the windows console.

[Webbstre]

Aren't most servers running on linux? I wouldn't know what to do with a Windows-based server.

[xani]

They are, and its free so you can get dedicated server/VPS cheaper. Also eats less RAM so even cheaper server ;].
But then dedicated server are only needed if you wanna make/use some "persistent world" mod, I think in most cases p2p will be fine

[Webbstre]

...or for private servers with server side saves and ladders and such

[superawesomeman589]

Some of the responses in this thread really annoy me. Now what I say here in ths post isn't an attack or go at anyone personally, despite how annoyed I am.

Ok so, with Linux you don't have to support "every distro", just make one binary and be done with it. A generic binary that will run on just about any distro, Nvidia and other companies do this. It doesn't have to be .rpm, .deb etc. It also doesn't have to be tested on every distro. The myth of "having to support too many distros" is just that - a myth.

Smaller, as well as bigger studios, than Runic, develop Linux games all the time. So the fact that "Runic is too small" is also rubbish. If smaller guys can do it, so can Runic. It doesn't have to be overnight and I don't think anyone expects it to be.

Linux is just fine as a gaming OS. People assume that "Linux is rubbish for gaming" because they assume that everyone wants to play DX 10 or Windows-only games. This is not always the case. Personally, every game I have bought in recent times also has a Linux native version.

Linux is fine for desktop, not just "for developers".

You will make a profit from a Linux version, unless your production costs are astronomically high. Linux gamers will pay for your game and there are enough Linux gamers for Runic to make a profit.

On another note, I am / was considering not even bothering with Torchlight 2, one reason is due to no Linux native version, another due to activation on website version (I don't want it on Steam).

You may not have to support every distro but it's still a load of work and coding.

No linux is not just fine as a Gaming OS. You don't support half the things needed for a smooth gaming experience, OK check that, you don't support them HASSLE free. With Windows and Direct X it just WORKS. The sound drivers suck and are wonky especially pulse audio.

You people with linux really get very high and mighty thinking everyone needs to support you. You still aren't mainstream.

You are a coders OS. MS and Apple are the big boys.

Frankly, it's attitudes like this that make me despise all Linux users who are "purist" about Linux. They can't just accept no we can't do that at this time or at all. They have to sit there and whinge about why they aren't being supported.

Technically, the game is supported under linux just not natively. We've been through this about 100 times and it's getting ridiculous.

The developers said they can't do it/arent doing it at this time.
We've said your market share is FAR too low for Risk VS Reward
You're a coders OS FFS

If you want to game, get a console or get on Windows.

Like I've always said.

Linux-good for servers, hackers, programmers, and coders.
Window-good for gaming and numbers.
Mac-Graphics and Video its also unfortunately becoming the "hipster" OS.

[ZXaeon]

Some of the responses in this thread really annoy me. Now what I say here in ths post isn't an attack or go at anyone personally, despite how annoyed I am.

Ok so, with Linux you don't have to support "every distro", just make one binary and be done with it. A generic binary that will run on just about any distro, Nvidia and other companies do this. It doesn't have to be .rpm, .deb etc. It also doesn't have to be tested on every distro. The myth of "having to support too many distros" is just that - a myth.

Smaller, as well as bigger studios, than Runic, develop Linux games all the time. So the fact that "Runic is too small" is also rubbish. If smaller guys can do it, so can Runic. It doesn't have to be overnight and I don't think anyone expects it to be.

Linux is just fine as a gaming OS. People assume that "Linux is rubbish for gaming" because they assume that everyone wants to play DX 10 or Windows-only games. This is not always the case. Personally, every game I have bought in recent times also has a Linux native version.

Linux is fine for desktop, not just "for developers".

You will make a profit from a Linux version, unless your production costs are astronomically high. Linux gamers will pay for your game and there are enough Linux gamers for Runic to make a profit.

On another note, I am / was considering not even bothering with Torchlight 2, one reason is due to no Linux native version, another due to activation on website version (I don't want it on Steam).

You may not have to support every distro but it's still a load of work and coding.

No linux is not just fine as a Gaming OS. You don't support half the things needed for a smooth gaming experience, OK check that, you don't support them HASSLE free. With Windows and Direct X it just WORKS. The sound drivers suck and are wonky especially pulse audio.

You people with linux really get very high and mighty thinking everyone needs to support you. You still aren't mainstream.

You are a coders OS. MS and Apple are the big boys.

Frankly, it's attitudes like this that make me despise all Linux users who are "purist" about Linux. They can't just accept no we can't do that at this time or at all. They have to sit there and whinge about why they aren't being supported.

Technically, the game is supported under linux just not natively. We've been through this about 100 times and it's getting ridiculous.

The developers said they can't do it/arent doing it at this time.
We've said your market share is FAR too low for Risk VS Reward
You're a coders OS FFS

If you want to game, get a console or get on Windows.

Like I've always said.

Linux-good for servers, hackers, programmers, and coders.
Window-good for gaming and numbers.
Mac-Graphics and Video its also unfortunately becoming the "hipster" OS.

Until you can lose the attitude, you and i have nothing to discuss.

[turnipz]

No point in getting so defensive about it. The only reason it isnt used mainstream is because of windows early days where they hold a current user base who are familiar with windows and have software written for windows. When windows 8 comes out you will probably see a radical shift to mac/linux, with android phones and tablets selling the way they are it might even lean towards linux when it comes to enterprise use.

I think 60% of enterprise use xp still, and vista has dropped the same amount as people adopting 7; so it begs the question what will happen when 8 is released with a bunch more useless features and hunger for cash. With so few using any of the upgraded versions as it is what is the chance they dont upgrade to windows 8? Linux begins to look nicer and nicer, especially with the usability changes to it over the years.

[ZXaeon]

No point in getting so defensive about it. The only reason it isnt used mainstream is because of windows early days where they hold a current user base who are familiar with windows and have software written for windows. When windows 8 comes out you will probably see a radical shift to mac/linux, with android phones and tablets selling the way they are it might even lean towards linux when it comes to enterprise use.

I can excuse the FUD being spread about Linux, on how "its only for coders" and "it's not mainstream" (tell that to Google, since every Android is Linux), "Linux is no good for games" (I play many games better than Windows) etc, but the tone used to convey the message wasn't nice at all, "whinges" etc.

[turnipz]

It wasnt you I was saying was defensive.

[ZXaeon]

It wasnt you I was saying was defensive.

Oh ok, lol.

[superawesomeman589]

Most people are using 7 bros.

No, actually what drives people away from Linux is the fact that it's hard to use, there is no REAL customer support for it, everything is either made by the community or waited upon, it's very hard to learn, nothing really supports it, driver support is med at best, games support is low, no direct x, pulse audio is a piece of crap, there are TOO MANY distros to choose from, thus some are not updated as frequently as they should be.

I love you said Android makes people use Linux, pfft most people don't even know what the Android OS is. It's a very dumbed down version of linux for the average user.

[ZXaeon]

Most people are using 7 bros.

No, actually what drives people away from Linux is the fact that it's hard to use, there is no REAL customer support for it, everything is either made by the community or waited upon, it's very hard to learn, nothing really supports it, driver support is med at best, games support is low, no direct x, pulse audio is a piece of crap, there are TOO MANY distros to choose from, thus some are not updated as frequently as they should be.

I love you said Android makes people use Linux, pfft most people don't even know what the Android OS is. It's a very dumbed down version of linux for the average user.

More FUD. Modern Linux, Ubuntu etc, is actually easier to use than Windows for every day tasks, no CLI needed. Plenty of professional customer support for it, if you are willing to pay, just like Microsoft. Very easy to learn for every day tasks. Linux has more driver support than any other OS - fact. Pulse Audio is no worse than the Windows Vista/7 audio stack. Too many distros? Just pick one, it's easy. Pretty much all of Linux is updated far more than Windows, of course it is optional to update.

Anyway, no doubt you'll just come back with more FUD and lies. Whatever floats your boat, use Windows and keep up the FUD, people who know better will have a better time. I accept that Torchlight 2 won't be coming to Linux but people like you just pipe FUD around and don't help the cause at all.

Again, whatever floats your boat. I won't be returning this thread even to read it, as I have said my say. I bid good day to you sir, and may your ignorance be some day cured.

[xani]

I think 60% of enterprise use xp still, and vista has dropped the same amount as people adopting 7; so it begs the question what will happen when 8 is released with a bunch more useless features and hunger for cash. With so few using any of the upgraded versions as it is what is the chance they dont upgrade to windows 8? Linux begins to look nicer and nicer, especially with the usability changes to it over the years.

With current "run EVERYTHING in browser" trend, OS wont matter much in corporate world in few years... which is a very good thing, when M$ corporate market monopoly will finally end they will have to start releasing better OS instead of releasing more bugs and misfeatures.

Most people are using 7 bros.

No, actually what drives people away from Linux is the fact that it's hard to use, there is no REAL customer support for it, everything is either made by the community or waited upon, it's very hard to learn, nothing really supports it, driver support is med at best, games support is low, no direct x, pulse audio is a piece of crap, there are TOO MANY distros to choose from, thus some are not updated as frequently as they should be.

Year 2000 called, he wants his linux rants back.

[Omnifas]

Why do people buy Macs or Windows? because they are marketed/advertised.

Why do people buy/use Linux? They were enthusiast to begin with, they got curious, or they got influenced by Linux fanboys at their local college(50% of the computers in my colleges main computer lab are linux, 40% are Windows, 10% Macs. All CS classroom computers are running Linux, almost all CS department teachers encourage student to use Unix/Linux for their work). Well the influence didn't work on me, maybe they picked the wrong distro, since I felt like I was using a command prompt with a GUI(Think it was Redhat), or it could just be the software(Eclipse).

Point being: Marketing beats Influence

Has any of those small companies that support Linux done any form of marketing. I don't see any. In fact I think that's the problem, they are too Humble/Open. Which is why Google has to scrap ChromeOS(Linux based, but bare that'll it'll only run web apps) and do a full-fledge Desktop version of Android OS. Actually you could already use Android Honeycomb as a desktop OS since it supports Keyboard/Mouse and gamepads.

Google mainstreamed "Android" not "Linux", since most people don't know Android is Linux based.

If you want developer support for Linux, you're looking at the wrong places. Asking Independent developers is not going to change anything. You need marketing for Linux, someone to really push Linux as a competitive OS, or one of those AAA developers to do a native Linux version(id software is a shadow of what they were, they lost the game engine battle to Epic and even Crytek, even Unity3d gets more licenses than them. The last good game they made was Quake 3 IMO, Doom 3 was more of a tech showcase, in fact all their games after Quake 3 are tech demos).

[alexThunder]

Until you can lose the attitude, you and i have nothing to discuss.

Maybe he should try Linux before

Why do people buy Macs or Windows? because they are marketed/advertised.

Yep, actually that's the point. The tools an average user needs were there since years, but weren't easily usable (for the easy poeple). Canonical fixed that (other distributors as well, but later) and I guess, since Ubuntu is becoming more and more popular, Canonical will soon invest in marketing.

However, I don't think it's that important anymore, since software is moving towards the browser and the web

[Omnifas]

A browser still needs an OS

As it is now, ChromeOS(web based) is pretty much a flop. Don't see anyone else adopting it.

And I don't see why people are hating on Win8, it's just a better optimized Win7 with hardware acceleration for the OS and 2 graphical layers(MetroUI and Desktop).