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...

Anyone notice..

[EggplantMan]

... that Bioware uses KDE too?

Correction.

[bleckywelcky]

I have a correction to make:

Looks like the NWN linux client page has been updated with screenshots!

Should read: has been updated with a screenshot! :P

Paying for Linux Client?

[yoshi_mon]

I've allready bought the Windows NWN client. Anyone know if Bioware plans to charge us again for the linux client?

Re:Paying for Linux Client?

[Ismilar]

Notice how their Linux Client page is in the Downloads section of their website?

You will not have to pay for it, unless you don't already own the Windows version of course.

(I don't know about the Mac version, though)...

Re:Paying for Linux Client?

[redtoade]

Ironically:

Even if the game is released for free download... I still WISH to pay for it.

An excellent game, ported to an excellent OS. What's not to pay for?

I didn't choose Linux because it's free (as in beer), I chose Linux because it's solid (as in ROCK). I have absolutely no problem with paying for good software. And since I know that software companies will only produce games in markets where there is profit to be made, I'm hoping that a GREAT game like this one might make enough money in the Linux market to make other producers "sit up and notice." So paying for the game is like an investment in the Linux gaming future!

But I'm not holding my breath. Because on the other side of the coin... software companies are going to think to themselves "If THIS game can't make a profit... then no game can!"

Eh... who cares. I want the game badly! Now to whom do I give this wad of cash?!

let's show em.

[7-Vodka]

I know there are a lot of us here waiting on that client. Let's show them their linux support was worthwhile. Head out and buy the game the day the linux client is released. You'll get to play the game you want and they'll see a nice large bump in the sales and go "whoa".

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: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:Finally

[pjrc]

Maybe someone doesn't want to take the hassel to reboot.

That's me!

I purchased NWN several weeks ago. I've been busy doing real work in linux, and the NWN box has been sitting on the table right next to the monitor for about a month. I even opened it and peeked at the 3 cds and manual (mostly a list of spells). I keep telling myself "I should really reboot and give it a try sometime, just to see what it's like".

Rebooting is a hassle. Often times I'll leave things running on my linux desktop, including ssh sessions with remote machines. I design with embedded processors (usually 8-bit) and often times I'll leave "seyon" running, logging data that some embedded board is sending to my serial port. Rebooting is very disruptive to my work environment.

Then again, getting "hooked" on NWN for a few weeks will be too.... but I'm expecting that NWN will be fun. Rebooting is not.

only the client is free

[ColGraff]

The game content is still NOT free, and you'll have to buy a windows NWN cd to get it. This client only lets you play the content you've already bought in Linux.

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.

Re:Save your money for something better

[BigJimSlade]

Granted, these dev tools require Windows but so does the Aurora toolkit for NWN.

I know at least one person who has gotten the NWN tools to work with wine. He even provides an RPM for those who don't want to tackle configuration.