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NeverWinter Nights Dedicated Linux Server Released
Ivan writes: "Bioware has released a dedicated Linux server for NeverWinter Nights. It requires a Windows install to use, but it definitely shows that they care about Linux users and are making progress towards the Linux client."
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Bioware doesn't care about the Linux community or isn't moving forward on a Linux client. But let's be honest here. They're releasing a Linux client for themselves and their windows players. I am, however, very thankful to rate second. That is infinately more attention then most game companies give us.
A steaming cup of soykaf would be real wiz right now.
They dont list the requirements. I have a old machine that could run nwn but it would be slow. I wonder what the requirements for a server would be. Dont imagine it to be that high but no clue. will have to try it anyways.
Also instead of doing a full install on the machine(HD is too small for win +nwn +linux +linux nwn) I think I will burn those directories to a CD so if I have to wipe and reinstall the linux multipule times or decide to play with it on different linux machines it would be quicker to do.
Though I wonder if running a dedicated linux server will take up your CD key? If I have the server up could I then connect to it with my other machine even though both will be installed off the same CD key. Either way this should be fun.
-THIS SPACE FOR RENT!
Okay, per Bioware's site - the first step is to install NN into windows (to create some files that will be copied to the linux partition). I think this is similar to what Loki did in the past - create a linux binary of the game (or in this case, the server), then write an installer to get the game files from the cd (cause they are packed up somehow). The question is: will bioware allow us to write an installer for linux that avoids having to install into windows and copy files over.
The windows cd would still be required (as it should be) - I'm not trying to circumvent that at all - I just wonmder what's involved in unpacking the files from cd and "installing" (copying) to disk...
I only ask because I don't have windows installed anywhere in my home or business.
Another option would be winex...
Personally its not God I dislike, its his fan club I cant stand (bash.org)
yeah, that'll get them to support linux in the future.
I bet it is slower than shit.
Well, it also depends somewhat on how well MS succeeds in trying to ruin linux through strategies like Palladium and such.
As general interest in Linux grows, so does its threat to MS' user base, and MS doesnt like threats.
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
I say in another two years, we'll see Linux reach a critical point and have about 10% of the desktop market share. People were saying that at least 5 years ago when I first started reading /.
I'm not doubting that linux is (slowly) gaining momentum. However it might be just me but it seems like 2 years always flys by and people are still chanting the same "linux on the desktop is coming."
This comment was generated by a Squadron of Ultra Ninjas
It seems that this requires windows JUST so you can copy a few files over from the installation.
Why can't they make these available as another download or even part of the Linux download?
1/ They said a linux client was going to be in the box.
It is not.
2/ suddenly you need windows installed to install linux things.
I don't have that.
3/ the eula:
I've read it and section 5 wich grants infogrammes rights to publish MY work without MY concent is illegal in MY country which happens to be Infogramme's country too.
you hereby grant back to Infogrames and BioWare an irrevocable royalty-free right to use and distribute such Variations by any means, and to make such modifications thereto as Infogrames and/or BioWare deem are necessary to package, combine, and otherwise distribute such Variations.
This starts to smell bad.
Yes, I know this is late and no one cares anymore, but I WOULD like to point out that Bioware has done an incredible job at least trying to justify and make this game work cross-platform. From the very start, there were supposed to be FOUR versions of NWN, one for Windows, MacOS, Linux and finally BeOS. Come on, any company that would seriously consider developing for 4 completely different platforms (including one that was never popular in its prime) is at least making some sort of effort. You must also remember, the chunk that Bioware bit off would be a far sight more than a lot of companies could chew. Most would slack off and cut features, or in the least cut corners with gameplay elements, which Bioware DID NOT do. This sizable undertaking took them FOUR YEARS to complete. Since then, the BeOS port fell to the wayside (they couldn't justify writing for a dead OS), and my thinking on the Mac client is that they were not adequetely prepared for the (decently drastic) switch between OS 9 and OS X. As for the windows client, it was rushed to market before they were completely satisfied (there was a patch available the day it was released), probably to appease Infogrames (which bailed them out when they got in that big spat with Interplay, if you recall). I mean, what kind of game has a beta that lasts less than a month? That leaves the linux client. They promised it at launch, but when they bumped up (or didn't delay, rather) the windows client, I assume they didn't think it would be worth it to rush the linux client to market, and wanted to do things right (a pretty big assumption, granted, but I do believe Bioware is that kind of company. If they didn't have to worry about publishing they'd remind me a lot of Nintendo.) So, we get the linux server (albeit a bit late), with promises for a linux client "soon," but if you really look at it, I think you have to respect the great effort these people put forth to make this game available for EVERYONE, with full cross-platform compatibility. As for the windows install required for the linux applications, that probably wasn't there not so long ago. The plan was to release all 3 clients (and then later just the 2) on-disc, out of the same box. My best guess is that all that got ripped to shreds when they decided they wouldn't want to release a new edition with the windows and linux clients in stores so soon after the initial launch, so they decided to leave the client all by its lonesome online and grab the libraries off the windows install. True, that doesn't justify the absence of a proper linux install, but it at least might explain why they chose to go this route. Either way, becrying their tactics as valvian is, I think, rather off the mark when you consider what they at least tried to do.
Right now one of the main reasons you need a Windows install for the Linux server is because the Linux server needs the 1.19 patch. Currently, the only way to get the patch is to use the in-game update. The patch files have not yet been released for manual patching of the game. Hopefully these will be released soon. When they are released, then it will probably be possible to extract the other files needed from your CD (no guarentee here). My point is, if you can be patient for a little longer, those without a Windows partition are probably going to be able to install this.
I know that despite the release of the server, some people are still upset with Bioware about the delayed Linux support and/or the EULA. I'd just like to point out that this is still a significant step for Linux gaming. That a Linux client was even considered from the start is significant. Bioware has been incredibly open with this game. The toolset is amazing. You can even open up Bioware's own modules to see how they wrote the NWN chapters shipped with the game. The situation is not perfect, but I have to give Bioware more credit than many other gaming companies.
Who said Freedom was Fair?