Eschalon and Linux
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joshuapurcell
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Eschalon and Linux
I just found this game, and I like the screenshots and what I've read about the game so much that I had to make a post about it on the forum. This game looks like it will be lots of fun, and I'm hoping that at some point I'm able to play it. The only ilkely problem I see is that this game may not be released on Linux, and if it eventually does make it there it won't be for a while after release. Since I don't have a Windows computer, that means I won't be able to play this game for a while. Is there anyone else in this same boat other than myself? Either way, I'm looking forward to the game... I just hope I don't have to wait too much longer than the initial Win/Mac release to play it.
Joshua Purcell
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BasiliskWrangler
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Welcome joshuapurcell!
Well, I don't know how many other visitors to these forums use Linux, but I think it's an awesome OS and I have been using it as much as possible here. We are definitely going to show our support for Linux with our games.
If there are any other visitors wanting to see the Linux version, we'd like to hear from you.
Well, I don't know how many other visitors to these forums use Linux, but I think it's an awesome OS and I have been using it as much as possible here. We are definitely going to show our support for Linux with our games.
If there are any other visitors wanting to see the Linux version, we'd like to hear from you.
I for one would love to have a Linux port available. It's nice to see that you are at least open to the idea. I've heard other game developers say it isn't really worth the effort to port a game to Linux since the sales aren't there, but it's more of an idealogical thing. I disagree, there are some really nice venues for showcasing Linux games that can positively gain you nice sales.
I don't know how many other people would be willing to agree to this, but I personally would even actually pay more ($5-10) for a linux version, just to specifically show support for Linux game development.
If you're interested in distro, I'm using Ubuntu (which a giant portion of the Linux crowd is nowadays).
Even if you didn't specifically release a Linux port but were willing to work with like the wine team to make sure that it works using wine I'd be fine with something like that as well.
Cheers!
I don't know how many other people would be willing to agree to this, but I personally would even actually pay more ($5-10) for a linux version, just to specifically show support for Linux game development.
If you're interested in distro, I'm using Ubuntu (which a giant portion of the Linux crowd is nowadays).
Even if you didn't specifically release a Linux port but were willing to work with like the wine team to make sure that it works using wine I'd be fine with something like that as well.
Cheers!
Hi!
I've been "lurking" on and off for quite some time now on these forums, checking on the status of the game and reading up on features and such. I had read about the possibility of a Linux version and when I saw this post, I just had to register and respond!
Add me to the list of people who would love to see a Linux version of the game! I use Gentoo Linux as my main OS on two different computers, rebooting into windows only when absolutely necessary. I am probably what you would call a "casual" gamer meaning that I don't play every single day. But I am extremely excited about Eschalon since it appears to be the type of game that would certainly hold my interest. If you are willing and able to release a Linux version, it would make an already awesome game even more awesome!
I've been "lurking" on and off for quite some time now on these forums, checking on the status of the game and reading up on features and such. I had read about the possibility of a Linux version and when I saw this post, I just had to register and respond!
Add me to the list of people who would love to see a Linux version of the game! I use Gentoo Linux as my main OS on two different computers, rebooting into windows only when absolutely necessary. I am probably what you would call a "casual" gamer meaning that I don't play every single day. But I am extremely excited about Eschalon since it appears to be the type of game that would certainly hold my interest. If you are willing and able to release a Linux version, it would make an already awesome game even more awesome!
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BasiliskWrangler
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Welcome viratoxe and quamper!
Given the widespread distribution of Ubuntu (and that Dell offers it now) we will probably concentrate on making sure it is 100% Ubuntu friendly first and foremost. Seeing as though we are new to Linux, I don't know what that means for other distros. We'll probably be asking a lot of you Linux experts for advice when we start prepping that version.
Given the widespread distribution of Ubuntu (and that Dell offers it now) we will probably concentrate on making sure it is 100% Ubuntu friendly first and foremost. Seeing as though we are new to Linux, I don't know what that means for other distros. We'll probably be asking a lot of you Linux experts for advice when we start prepping that version.
Thanks BasiliskWrangler!
I shouldn't think there would be any trouble at all making the game work with different distributions. At the core, every distribution is nearly the same(ie. same kernel, but with different minor patches). It makes sense to start with Ubuntu though since that is the most popular distribution at the moment. It's very easy to set up and use. Gentoo, on the other hand, is more of a "build it yourself" distribution...very fine control over what gets installed and how it is configured. But in the end, it can look/work like Ubuntu if so desired.
I know you are a ways away from releasing a Linux version, but here is a link you may find useful as you move closer:
http://icculus.org/loki_setup/
On that page, you will find setup/installer tools as well as patch/update tools. I don't pretend to be a programmer or know much about the tools, but many native Linux games use them so they are a known "standard" so to speak. A nice GUI installer and a nice GUI updater, two things that make installing and updating a game in Linux just as simple as in windows.
I believe I read that you are using BlitzMax as the development language. I know that in theory it should be fairly simple to create a Linux binary since there are compiler versions of BlitzMax for PC, Mac, and Linux. Perhaps only minor changes need to be made in the source code. That being said(and I know you get tons of requests for this), I would be willing to help test the Linux version if you need beta testers when the time comes. I would like to think of myself as a fairly advanced Linux user(8+ years of use) and I have access to several computers with several different distributions.
Keep up the excellent work and thank you for supporting Linux!
I shouldn't think there would be any trouble at all making the game work with different distributions. At the core, every distribution is nearly the same(ie. same kernel, but with different minor patches). It makes sense to start with Ubuntu though since that is the most popular distribution at the moment. It's very easy to set up and use. Gentoo, on the other hand, is more of a "build it yourself" distribution...very fine control over what gets installed and how it is configured. But in the end, it can look/work like Ubuntu if so desired.
I know you are a ways away from releasing a Linux version, but here is a link you may find useful as you move closer:
http://icculus.org/loki_setup/
On that page, you will find setup/installer tools as well as patch/update tools. I don't pretend to be a programmer or know much about the tools, but many native Linux games use them so they are a known "standard" so to speak. A nice GUI installer and a nice GUI updater, two things that make installing and updating a game in Linux just as simple as in windows.
I believe I read that you are using BlitzMax as the development language. I know that in theory it should be fairly simple to create a Linux binary since there are compiler versions of BlitzMax for PC, Mac, and Linux. Perhaps only minor changes need to be made in the source code. That being said(and I know you get tons of requests for this), I would be willing to help test the Linux version if you need beta testers when the time comes. I would like to think of myself as a fairly advanced Linux user(8+ years of use) and I have access to several computers with several different distributions.
Keep up the excellent work and thank you for supporting Linux!
Thats great to hear that you've already mostly got everything working. That's really exciting. You've got what looks to be an amazing game. I love all the screenshots you've got posted and the faq answered all my questions. Heck you've convinced me to preorder it, too bad thats not available.
Anyways I look forward to the final release of it. I'm excited by classic rpg goodness.
Anyways I look forward to the final release of it. I'm excited by classic rpg goodness.
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cutterjohn
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Well, a linux version may be nice, but I think on the whole that I'd prefer versions of the game that were capable of running under wine. i.e. I could switch between a linux distro, OSX, or windows and continue my game wherever I happened to be or whatever OS I happened to be running ATM.
Minions of Mirth runs just fine under wine, while NWN1 and Devil Whiskey provided linux clients...
Minions of Mirth runs just fine under wine, while NWN1 and Devil Whiskey provided linux clients...
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xander_hal
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If the devs confirm that they are working on a linux version, I would actually wait to get this game until that version is released. I have lots of games that I can play on my windows machine, and I'd love to have something to spend more time on my linux machine with. And from what I've seen with this game, I think that may be a fair chunk of time...
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PhilosophiX
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Eschalon on Linux
I too would love to see a Linux port available. I only just started using Linux at Christmas, and Eschalon: Book I would be my first Linux game. I'm using Suse Linux.
I need to reply to this one too...
I would love to have a full Linuw (Ubuntu in my case) version. Not just the wine one....
But that would be a good first step...
Rezo
I would love to have a full Linuw (Ubuntu in my case) version. Not just the wine one....
But that would be a good first step...
Rezo
Gardez suffisament d'humour pour ne pas perdre l'esprit au nom de la raison.
Ama la realidad que construyes y ni aun la muerte detendra tu paso.
Ama la realidad que construyes y ni aun la muerte detendra tu paso.
Out of curiosity - the minimum specs posted say "3D accelerated graphics card (DirectX 7.0 or better capability)" for Windows. How will 3D acceleration be pulled off on Linux (and OSX for that matter) with explicit DirectX requirements?
I'm not a graphics geek, so apologies if DirectX is covered on OSX.
Thanks,
JB
I'm not a graphics geek, so apologies if DirectX is covered on OSX.
Thanks,
JB
The heat from below can burn your eyes out!
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BasiliskWrangler
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waltshooter
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BasiliskWrangler
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The Linux version will be very close behind the Windows version, possibly around the same time the Mac version comes out.
Here's how I will probably handle the Linux release: since the Linux audience is notably smaller than Windows and Mac, I am going to post the Linux demo sometime in very early December. I will treat this almost like an "open beta test" to see how well it runs for people. If everyone reports back that it is good, I'll put the full version up for purchase.
Here's how I will probably handle the Linux release: since the Linux audience is notably smaller than Windows and Mac, I am going to post the Linux demo sometime in very early December. I will treat this almost like an "open beta test" to see how well it runs for people. If everyone reports back that it is good, I'll put the full version up for purchase.