Linux Games and Windows

[Firebeast]

Hey all, TOOOOTAL noob here, i mean i dont even have Linux installed anywhere...

I have a big problem with Microscam Windows. THe only reason why i have it on my pc is because i love games. Unfortunately most of the latest and best graphically enhanced games are not written to run on Linux. I know Linux is opensource but i am sure games written for Linux does not have to be free.

DirectX is only written for windows because they had to find a way for games to access the Audio, Graphic and Devices software to run on the OS. SO the directX game developers tools, that game developers use to write games for windows is controlled by Microscam. They controll the market. Look at DX 10 which is now obselete cause they had to write DX10.1 to correct the flaws in DX10. So new graphics cards are needed.

SO my question is this: How come game developers cant or do not want to write games to run on Linux. I am sure if they started doing so more gamers out there will look into getting Linux as they preffered OS.

I know ID Software's John Carmack is programming on a Mac and definitely does not like DX10 and MS that much. I think they are advertising for a LInux programmer.

Maybe i am living in fantasy world thinking all pc games will be available for Linux in the close future or its just gonna stay a pipe dream...

Can anyone pls give me advice on this!

[ryokimball]

Hey all, TOOOOTAL noob here, i mean i dont even have Linux installed anywhere...

Welcome to the forums! And hopefully, welcome to Linux! I definitely would not discourage you from trying out one of the many flavours of Linux some time soon; LinuX-gamers is big on games, if that's your thing. There are other "gaming-platforms," like Cedega, but it is not as free as others....

SO my question is this: How come game developers cant or do not want to write games to run on Linux. I am sure if they started doing so more gamers out there will look into getting Linux as they preffered OS.

I do not really know the answer to this, but I know that many big names (Quake, Doom, and Unreal Tournament to name a few...) are native, but what surprises me is that you still usually have to download something else to run it. As for distributions for Linux being put out, it very well may be that they are scared that it means they must offer it freely and everything (just a theory...). Free kinda cuts into the budget. There's also the fact that the DirectX and Microsoft Gaming Studios are own by Microsoft, and that many of the affiliates might have legal binds to Microsoft. I can't say anything more with any real confidence because the only computer game I've EVER bought is The Elder Scrolls IIII: Morrowind; otherwise I'm fine with the free stuff I run across.

Maybe i am living in fantasy world thinking all pc games will be available for Linux in the close future or its just gonna stay a pipe dream...

PC gaming isn't quite like console gaming. On consoles, it's completely different hardware and OS's being utilized, and the reprogramming between systems is more about adapting to the hardware instead of porting to new OS's. Contrastingly, Linux will almost ALWAYS be running on the exact same kind of machine that Windows or whatever is or can be running on. The ability for a game to run therefore depends on what is going on in the OS and where the information is coming and going.... I don't mean to sound like I know how this all works, but basically I know that the porting has a lot more to do with the "politics" of computing rather than the developers' abilities.

[FeestBijtje]

Hello,
I just registred here to awnser your question. Linux Gaming is possible with Cedega or Wine. I prefer wine since its so costumize able.

I am used to play dating sims and FPS like Counter-Strike or Half Life 2 Death Match.

They are possible to play on Linux but it requires patiense and knowledge. Like Ive been working 2 weeks to get the game Sexy Beach 3 working on my PC. It requires Direct X 9 to play. So i noticed that Wine was easy to handle.

And you don't have to be an elite to run an game on Linux. I run Debian Lenny/SID. And I get almost every thing working.

Aslong you understand google and able to read what the error is. You can get every thing to work on Linux.

Here is proof:
http://www.zerodev.net/SexyBeach3Linux.png

[Freston]

There are those that dual boot between Windows and Linux. Windows for gaming, and Linux for serious stuff like browsing the Internet.

I'm not saying you should, but it is always an option. As previous posters point out, you _can_ game under Linux, and quite well also. But if you want the latest greatest games, just a dual boot configuration saves you a lot of trouble.

Most modern distro's ask you if you want to dual boot during install and set it up automagically.

[valan]

First off, I would like to say that calling Microsoft names such as Microscam and the like do not help anything at all, and often people will simply not look at your post when it contains things like that. I would recommend you not do that in the future, as it makes you appear unprofessional and immature.

For your question though, there's pretty much one real reason why there's not many Linux games, and that's because there's no market for them. Very few people use Linux, and few of those people care to buy games for Linux, or have the hardware to play the newer games. There's a very small group of people interested in buying commercial games for Linux, and it's not enough for game companies to care about. In addition, if there was enough interest, then the developers would probably have to start using OpenGL instead of DirectX. And since these developers probably don't know OpenGL like they know DirectX, and they almost surely aren't running Linux themselves, it would be a longer and more expensive process to get these games out. I'm not saying it won't happen, just that until Linux gets a sizable share of the desktop market (which is slowly happening) there won't be enough interest in a Linux game market. I don't see it happening in the next 4 or 5 years at least.

[Firebeast]

Thx for reply.

Now its your opinion if you dont like calling MS, microscam. Its my opinion if i want to. I can even call them Microcrap. I am not going to debate this here with you, that would be a unprofessional and immature response. If people dont like what i wrote then dont read, its their choice.

As to your answer, years back OpenGL was used for gaming, i rember using it to play certain games. I think if i am correct the Voodoo cards had tehm incorporated. OpenGL and OpenAL is not unknown or new technology.

My urgument is this: More Linux written games = more Windows gamers wanting to use Linux. I think that is what John Carmack is trying to do, change the gaming focus from MS OS to Linux OS...

First off, I would like to say that calling Microsoft names such as Microscam and the like do not help anything at all, and often people will simply not look at your post when it contains things like that. I would recommend you not do that in the future, as it makes you appear unprofessional and immature.

For your question though, there's pretty much one real reason why there's not many Linux games, and that's because there's no market for them. Very few people use Linux, and few of those people care to buy games for Linux, or have the hardware to play the newer games. There's a very small group of people interested in buying commercial games for Linux, and it's not enough for game companies to care about. In addition, if there was enough interest, then the developers would probably have to start using OpenGL instead of DirectX. And since these developers probably don't know OpenGL like they know DirectX, and they almost surely aren't running Linux themselves, it would be a longer and more expensive process to get these games out. I'm not saying it won't happen, just that until Linux gets a sizable share of the desktop market (which is slowly happening) there won't be enough interest in a Linux game market. I don't see it happening in the next 4 or 5 years at least.

[FeestBijtje]

What I have followed from reportage. And self research based on fake phone calls to Microsoft. I located many "commercial" items. Such as buying Microsoft Windows XP and Vista OPEN-SOURCE! For 10 grand just to avoid tickets. Since they are doing that an company needs to buy an copy and redistribute it with an Linux kernel for example.

But thats not the case. Its professional to give your opinion on your own way and not too wide open. Like Ive always said "I refuse to work along with Microsoft." Since i never had the real intention to work with. On work/school I use it but in the mean wile I use it mainly for a game of solitaire.

The best part of all is since Ubuntu Linux came out. Ubisoft, Codemasters, And Valve. Are going to program games for Linux. Thats good news to hear. I still did not confirmed if its true or not. But still I am worried. Since games are heading to Linux it would be more attractive. And Linux would be more vulnerable for viruses and root kits.

If we take an example for the Mac G4. There was an Trojan horse released 2 weeks after release. And 2 or 3 years later they noticed all the macs that had connection with the Internet. Were infected and had an great bot net for spreading exploits trough the net. And baked up an nice FXP Scene for Internet Piracy. And same thing could happen to Linux.

And as well for Google they are releasing their own Operating System as well. With makes me worries if the "Linux" or "Windows" communities would be attracted to it. And the fun part is if we both get fused to gather cause all of that then the Game industries does not have an place to go for all 3 main OS.

Still there are many things to think about. Especially making choices with belongs to your self. Most choices are made trough your mind. But when your standing strangely in love in front of some one. And you 2 know each others for about a year or 6! Then dare to take an choice from your mind. You will regret that as well.

Best thing is to choose what you really want. And what your compassion is. Its Windows or Linux. You have the choice to pick one of them. Unless you buy the latest mac

[techieMoe]

The best part of all is since Ubuntu Linux came out. Ubisoft, Codemasters, And Valve. Are going to program games for Linux. Thats good news to hear. I still did not confirmed if its true or not. But still I am worried. Since games are heading to Linux it would be more attractive.

Where did you hear this? Or are you just throwing out what you wish would happen?

And Linux would be more vulnerable for viruses and root kits.

Again, please explain.

And as well for Google they are releasing their own Operating System as well. With makes me worries if the "Linux" or "Windows" communities would be attracted to it. And the fun part is if we both get fused to gather cause all of that then the Game industries does not have an place to go for all 3 main OS.

No, they are not. There has already been plenty of discussion on this.

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/cof...-vs-linux.html

Internally, Google developers by and large use Ubuntu. I see no reason for them to even consider reinventing the wheel.

Still there are many things to think about. Especially making choices with belongs to your self. Most choices are made trough your mind. But when your standing strangely in love in front of some one. And you 2 know each others for about a year or 6! Then dare to take an choice from your mind. You will regret that as well.

What on earth are you talking about?

Best thing is to choose what you really want.

Ok, that one I agree with. People should use what works for them.

[ryokimball]

And the fun part is if we both get fused to gather cause all of that then the Game industries does not have an place to go for all 3 main OS.

Why would it be so hard to make a port for each OS? That is what has been going on in the console world since it was virtually only Atari, Sega, and Nintendo. There have been many different competitors, and it has never been strange for certain games to be released for just one console (Mario, Sonic, et cetera), but there has also always been cross-platform games (Mortal Kombat, Tetris...). Nowadays many people are polarized towards their own liking, but I hope there will never be a time of nothing but single-platform gaming.

P.S. I'd love to buy that "open source" Vista/Windows stuff, if only to illegally sell and distribute it. I wouldn't mind running from the law for a good ten years. ^,^

[FeestBijtje]

1. I heard this from some bulk mailing from coding sites. It could be spam mail. As I said I did not confirmed it yet.

2. If there are more Linux "Desktop" users. There will be more interest of searching for wormholes to hack Linux.
Like I had once suddenly an IRCD with ProFTP and SSH server running. With I am sure of it that I did NOT installed it.

3. I have read and understand the discussion. And I was till thinking Google would rent out Virtual servers. But after reading that i assume its not.

4. The question is simple: Does love comes on the first sight. (Love for the operating system ofcourse)

5. Thanks