E2 and Linux

[alpha]

I wonder will E2 run on Linux OS - natively or through wine vodoo? Because I've made a complete switch from msft os to Open Source and I am not intended to go back.

[BasiliskWrangler]

Yes, we are planning on fully supporting Linux natively with all our games.

[thomas]

Yes, we are planning on fully supporting Linux natively with all our games.

Just if you could do it at same time as windows version... in Book1, I've finished game on wine long before linux version was publish and then it was quite pointless to buy it again (and trought it, give vote to "linux versions").

[realmzmaster]

I applaud Basilisk Games for supporting different platforms. In a perfect world it would be nice to release on all three platforms at once, but we do not live in a perfect world. I believe it would be a logistical nightmare to try to release on all three platforms at one time. Basilisk Games from what I can see is a small dedicated, devoted group, but the operative word here is small. Having to try and fix bugs on three different platforms at the same time would cause severe headaches and instant greying.

The fact that Book I was written in BlitzMax and it is available on all three platforms helps, but each platform's code would still have to be tweaked. Also there are finanical considerations, the majority of buyers and potential buyers still use Windows. It makes sense to release for that platform first to garner sales and help pay the bills. IMHO but YMMV.

[acoustibop]

As a Linux user, I have to agree with realmzmaster here.

[Sslaxx]

The fact that Book I was written in BlitzMax and it is available on all three platforms helps, but each platform's code would still have to be tweaked. Also there are finanical considerations, the majority of buyers and potential buyers still use Windows. It makes sense to release for that platform first to garner sales and help pay the bills. IMHO but YMMV.

Apparently it did not have to be tweaked for each platform. Basiliskwrangler is Tachyon on the BlitzMax forums, go see if you can find some of his postings there about Eschalon.

[BasiliskWrangler]

Well, for Linux there is some tweaking involved (such as path alterations and eliminating the DirectX driver selection code), and for Mac there are some fundamental differences between the PPC and Intel code, but for the most part there is very little difference between the code for each platform. For any developer looking to make a multi-platform game or application, I highly recommend looking into BlitzMax.

There are other factors between each platform that we must consider such as testing, installer packages, technical support (for the game) and customer support (for problems when placing an order). If I had a dedicated manager for each platform, we could probably launch all three versions on the same day, however for as small of a team as Basilisk Games is, we need to stagger the launches so we can properly support them.

[Eddward]

Though I would love to be able to buy Book 2 as soon as possible, I understand the reasons for staggering releases and appreciate the attention to providing good support to each platform. I guess my big hold out will be the same as before. I'd prefer to buy on media instead of buying a download.

I'm glad Basilisk intends to support Linux (aka my platform of choice) for all of its games. You do good work. It will be nice to have something good to depend on. Thanks.

Edd

[realmzmaster]

Sslaxx,

You assume that I did not read the Blitz Research forums. I learned about Eschalon from the Blitz Research forums. I know full well that BW is Tachyon. I have read the BlitzMax and Blitz Basic forums. I have used Blitz Basic and DarkBasic. I began my career many moons ago coding in COBOL and Fortran. I have written programs in everything from Atari Basic to JAVA to Scratch and ALICE. I know software development and anytime you switch code from one OS to another there will be some tweaking.

As I said the use of BlitzMax helped Basilisk Games in overcoming many problems, but not all of them otherwise you would not need support forums. Some of the problems encountered were specific to the OS. I was also speaking of support. As BW said if he had a manager for each OS he could release on all three platforms at once. Basilisk Games has a small team and it is not logistical possible. I no longer code professionally due to medical reasons (eye problems), but I speak from experience.

[alpha]

Yes, we are planning on fully supporting Linux natively with all our games.

Thank you, this is very kind, nice, and smart of you.

You have all the respect.