NWN Linux Screenshots

Gabe writes "Looks like the NWN linux client page has been updated with screenshots!. Finally, some decent proof that Bioware is coming through for us linux folks. Maybe it's time to open my copy soon :)" My replacement CPU fan is here, so I theoretically can now play NWN. Can't wait for the good modules to start being developed. In the meantime, we should use it as the prettiest IRC server ever... where you can kill your friends instead of just kickbanning them :)

Comments

Re:Finally

[Skyshadow]

IMO, your order is wrong. Linux has become more attractive to the sort of people who play games like NWN, and in recognition of that Bioware is bringing support to the platform.

If they didn't think they could at least recoup the price of porting the client, they would and should not port the game to our platform.

In an unrelated but still game-oriented vein: Has anyone else noticed that Civ3 under WineX, while "working" is so slow that it's unplayible? I'd have thought a Althlon 1.2 ghz with a gig of RAM would have been enough...

Re:let's show em.

[jcoy42]

Let's show them their linux support was worthwhile.

I believe the plan is to show our support with a big "Thank You" on the front page of slashdot.

So yes, they will certainly be aware. Or at least their server admins will be aware.

Pity they don't serve ads.

Re:Finally

[packeteer]

Maybe someone doesn't want to take the hassel to reboot. Why dont you try to convince transgaming (the makers of winex) that linux is the wrong mrket for games. Face it, many people, including me, will pay in REAL money not just code for linux games. Winex does a good job and it is growing FAST, you think some other open source project can grow check out one thats getting an income of REAL money.

Re:Finally

[Fragmented_Datagram]

No, see, I don't have any Windows boxes and I don't plan on purchasing any in the future either. I would, however, really like to play good games on Linux. I plan on purchasing a copy as soon as it's available.

Re:let's show em.

[pjrc]

Let's show them their linux support was worthwhile. Head out and buy the game the day the linux client is released.

... or just simply use the linux client in networked play ...

While NWN can be played stand-alone without a network, most people playing NWN will at least occasionally make network connections to bioware (eg, patches). The NWN protocols reportedly use the serial number shipped with the game. Assuming that's true, and assuming that the protocol informs that of the version and platform the client is running, it would be very simple for Bioware to collect stats on the number of linux, windows and dual-boot users.

So if you really want to "show your support" for the linux client, when is it eventually released, you could just as well buy the game now and make sure you keep your network connection unplugged while you're playing, so that all your network connectivity is via the upcoming linux client.

But they know linux users are (largely) dual-booting and somehow I doubt they'll worry about counting up the number of users who NEVER ran the windows client. More likely, they'll compile some ongoing stats for the percentage of users using each client on an ongoing basis. Simply using the linux client over the network (in communication with Bioware's servers) will be showing plenty of "support for the linux client".

FWIW, I purchased NWN shortly after it appeared in stores, and I'm waiting for the linux client... not so much for philosophical reasons, but simply because I've been busy lately and rebooting is a pain (I tend to leave a bunch of stuff running on the linux desktop).

Re:But...

[Doc Hopper]

You suggest that the GNU/Linux-using community as a whole is somehow hypocritical when it comes to free software. Most free software advocates (and I count myself as part of this number) acknowledge that there are certain software markets where free software simply may not make sense. These include computer games and applications with massive development cost and tiny markets (dozens of users or fewer).

Supporters of free software run the whole gamut on their opinions, and this is simply my own. There is no hypocricy, as you suggest, because the community is composed of millions of individuals with their own opinions. I personally believe that the approach used by some companies (id Software, Sleepycat Software, etc.) of releasing the source code to older versions of their products, while keeping newer versions proprietary until they have recouped the cost, is an excellent approach that could be profitably mimicked by many more companies.