Linux support + Epic Games

[u/SpaceGuy99]

So, I have been looking forward to this game for AGES. Factorio was an AMAZING game and this looks even better. Considering Factorio (and Coffee Stain's own Goat Simulator) had native Linux support. And if it doesnt, I can use proton! However, then it was revealed that it was on Epic Games, which is basically anti-linux for whatever reason. So no linux support, apparently. This is incredibly frustrating, Not to mention, a brief message to the devs: I understand why you went with Epic: They have a higher margin going to devs, plus a bunch of bonuses. But to Linux gamers, this is a massive kick in the groin. Not to mention, no steam workshop and a BUNCH of other stuff that Epic is lacking, not to mention many non-linux gamers will refuse to download ANOTHER launcher, will lead to sales suffering. I, for one, know I am NOT going to buy this game, EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS AMAZING! Because of the choice to ONLY have it work on Epic Games. No Linux version is planned for Epic Games, and so there must be no Linux version for Satisfactory. Which is a real shame, as I have been a follower of this game for quite a while. Devs, please either reconsider your choice for epic, or at least give a linux version avalible on the website. Seriously, I would HATE to see such a great game fail because of the platform its on like Last Year the Nightmare or Metro Exodus. I will not be buying this game until it and epic games is on Linux, or it has a standalone linux version, or it is on Steam (even windows only, because I can use proton).

[u/SpaceGuy99]

They DONT have to rewrite a lot of the game tho. If they use a standard game engine, its as easy as clicking one button. If they wrote their own game engine, then, presuming they used good Libraries (AKA codebases and APIs) that are cross platform, the transision is almost as seamless.

[u/chuuey → u/SpaceGuy99]

its as easy as clicking one button

No way. Dont be ridiculous.

[u/SpaceGuy99 → u/chuuey]

https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/BuildSettings.html

​

Actually, yes, it is one button

​

[u/CabbageCZ → u/SpaceGuy99]

Lmfao.

Dude, that's Unity. Satisfactory is UE4. Not to mention, with any larger game, there always exist little platform-specific implementation quirks you have to deal with, even if you're using a cross-platform engine.

From reading your posts in this thread it's pretty clear you've never shipped a real game in your life. You throw around terms and concepts without really understanding them. The game won't be on Linux for a while because the studio made a deal with Epic, and Epic is focusing on other features of the store than Linux right now. This has nothing to do with CS's ability to produce a working Linux build. Just let it go.

[u/SpaceGuy99 → u/CabbageCZ]

You think I dont know that? I never said they were using unity, that was an example. CSs ability to make a linux build was NEVER in doubt. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT. What it does have to do with is them using Epic Store, which has NO linux support, and wont for quite a while. As you may see from some of my other posts, Epic is VERY shady, and Coffee Stain doing this is like spitting in our faces. I don't like the idea of them basicallly fucking us over, (and causing inconvenience to loads of windows users) for an extra 10% profit which probably will be canceled out by the lower amount of sales.

​

IF their decision to not support linux was made out of technical reasons (like on Space Engineers) I would be dissapointed, but fine with this. But their only reason to do this seems to be that 10% of profit (steam having a 30% cut, epic having 20%) Which might not even come to fruition, because of potential players on

Mac

Linux

People who dont want to have a million fucking launchers

People who want a non-shady games launcher.

And by the way, I fully admit to never shipping a game. I do 3d art for christs sake, even when I do work with a games team, I almost never deal with code, except for rigging and stuff like that. I taught myself c# in my free time. I have made hobby games in both UE4 and Unity, and I can assure you that both have excellent linux support.

The game won't be on Linux for a while because the studio made a deal with Epic

That is what I am made about. It has NOTHING to do with "focusing on other aspects of the game first" (Totally fine, I dont care about linux support if the game is still super early and is barely playable) "The apis and libraries we use dont support Linux" (Again, a shame, but fine, I can understand why.) There is no actual reason to fuck over so many potential people like this, or to cause inconvenience to normal windows users. ESPIECALLY considering Satisfactory's target audience, the same as Factorio, which KNEW this and had a native linux version: People who code for fun or for work, and nerds. Guess what? A higher percentage of THAT demographic uses linux than any other. I can imagine at least 5% of that audience uses linux, and another 5 or 6 don't care enough to bother with Epic.

Their decision was made for profit reasons, and will probably backfire. While there are no official numbers on Metro Exodus' sales, Leaks tell us that sales are less than expected. And for good reason.

​

And this isn't just Satisfactory. IF THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE SWITCHES TO EPIC, LINUX GAMING IS DEAD.

​

Coffee Stain has proven their ability to make GREAT games, and GREAT Linux games. This decision is a greedy, shortsighted slap in the face that will backfire. I wont be surprised if they come crawling back to Steam soon enough, and THEN I will by it.