Slashdot Mirror
Linux Descent 3 Demo
Dustin Reyes writes "Loki Entertainment Software has released a
demo of
Descent 3, the 3D
action game developed by Outrage Entertainment (who
were also responsible for the initial Linux porting work). Featuring 3 levels
(one single-player and two multiplayer),
the demo weighs in at 42MB (the README is available here, which includes command line options and known issues). Mirrors: Loki, 3D Downloads" My copy should ship any day: descent is probably the one game that I probably should take dramamine to play.
Actually, games are the finset pieces of engineering on the face of computing. The evangalist behind DirectX (Alex St. John) once said something along the lines of "its incredible that software these days can visibly refresh drawing just a few graphics on the screen while id is spraying huge worlds with tons of AI driven monsters on the screen at 30fps.) This quote holds very true. Games tend t spend a lot of time working on precise algorithms for all the performance critical sections, and games tend to be written to use as little memory as possible. Thus, most people understand why the requirements for games are so high, you're trying to emulate reality for god's sake! If KDE was written by a game designer, it would use 4 megs of RAM, be able to redraw a browser window at 200fps, and would load in less than a second.
A deep unwavering belief is a sure sign you're missing something...
I'd like to see you defend that. Software is something I make. It is not an idea (now that would be silly, I'll charge $50 for the idea of a fast, free, lightweight open source OS) but an actual product. What should be able to be sold? Work should be able to be sold. Just as a service is work (the expenditure of engergy for a given length of time) software is work (the expenditure of energy required to code it for the coding time.) Further, it can be though of as a service (I'm programming your computer for you.) Ideology holds dear the ability to make statements without any reasoning. However, given some reasoning, you can say that software is just like a service and can be charged for. If you wish, you can also think of it this way. Sex is kind of like software. Even though you can get it for free, in all accounts it is a service and can be charged for. More importantly, it involves the expenditure of energy for a given length of time, and can thus be considered "work" and very few people argue that you shouldn't be able to charge for work. Of course, just like sex, there are those who insist on giving away software for free, but you cannot say those who charge for it are morally wrong because they aren't giving it away free.
A deep unwavering belief is a sure sign you're missing something...
Sadly, the linux port was 90% done when the windows version shipped. It's taken this long not because of technical reasons.
:(
Anyway, I hope you all go out and buy to to both support Loki, and to support the companies like Outrage (who lost a lot of money on D3, and isn't likely to make anything off of the Linux port), who ported the game to linux in order to support the linux community.
I think D3 was an example of a developer trying too hard to make the community happy. I spent 2 years working at Outrage on D3, and we added features which people wanted, not just thinking about if this will help us sell the game. D3 has a lot of cool user requested features, and it cost a lot of money to make. In the end though, it just didn't sell enough copies to make a profit.
but the market has to start somewhere.
:).
There have been several simultaneous ports [Unreal Tournament, Quake III: Arena, Terminus, Theocracy, the next Doom game, Anarchy Online (a non-fantasy-based MMORPG), Neverwinter Nights (the multiplayer AD&D RPG), Tribes 2 (well, nigh-simultaneous), and probably some I'm not thinking of off-hand] shipped or announced in the last 12 months, and the only way to maintain momentum is if you, the community, vote with your dollars.
Moreover, one of Loki's more recent ports, Soldier of Fortune, shipped only 4 months after the original Windows version, so the lag time on porting should hopefully be decreasing as well.
The gaming industry is ruled to a large degree by inertia, so it'll take time and effort to ensure a viable and diverse Linux gaming library, but I intend to do what's necessary to ensure that for all of us
:wq
I like this game. I will pay money for this game. Therefore, Outrage will make money. Thus, there is interest in games on Linux.
One of the big reasons I will pay for this game is because the previous versions of Descent have had their source code released. It is because of that that I can play D2 under Linux. And I'm buying D3 keeping in mind that the source code will most likely be released sometime in the future. And this time, it will be native Linux code, instead of having to port it over ourselves. WTG Outrage and Loki. Keep up the good work.
its at the loki portal page http://loki.linuxgames.com
Natas of
-=Pedophagia=-
http://www.mp3.com/pedophagia
Also Admin of
Natas of
-=Pedophagia=-
http://www.mp3.com/pedophagia
Also Admin of
http://loki.linuxgames.com
descent 3 is long out of sales on windows, it's not even in the bargain bin anymore. This one game was a story on slashdot when the porting was announced, it is a story now, and it will be a story when the retail ships. If you think about that, you will realize how bad the state of linux gaming is in.
It's nice that they are porting the game, but so little so late.... definitely not somethign the linux community should be proud of.
And the very worst part is that the game is now so old and outdated (I got the full windows version for free with my video card over a year ago) that nobody will buy it, and game companies will say "see, there is no interest in games on linux"
________
Drama mine Motion Sickness Tablets 12 ea
Usage: For the prevention and treatment of the nausea, vomiting or dizziness associated with motion sickness.
Description: Dramamine Original Formula. Fast-acting Dramamine Original Formula is the most recommended motion sickness medicine ever. It quickly and effectively treats and prevents motion sickness regardless of the cause. Whether on land, sea, or in the air, you can count on Dramamine. Plus Dramamine Original Formula is safe for children, and contains the only medication approved for children aged 2-12. Dramamine. It takes the motion sickness out of travel.
(Just kidding.. I don't wanna hear about CmdrTaco OD'ing on motion-sickness tablets).Wow! Only $3.73 + S&H for those puppies.
On a more twisted note, this site is devoted to the hallucinogenic/deliriant drugs contained in over-the-counter motion sickness pills. And, of course, The Dramamine FAQ. Here's the only thing you need to know, though from the site:
Enjoy!