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Bioware Releases Neverwinter Nights Linux Client Beta

Posted by timothy on from the but-it's-only-spring-first dept.

valedaemon writes "Well, I thought that the world would end before this day dawned, but Bioware has finally made good on its promise of a Linux client for Neverwinter Nights. You still need a Windows installation in order to copy the game data, but the good news is that the downloadable is only 4.4 MB. I could write more, but why? Go play!"

3 of 328 comments (clear)

  1. Why? by Clockwurk · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You still need a Windows installation in order to copy the game data, but the good news is that the downloadable is only 4.4 MB

    This begs the point, why even bother with a linux version at all? Its nice that Bioware did make the game playable on Linux, but shelling out for a copy of windows to be able to play it seems counter-productive. Second, why didn't Bioware make a linux installer for the game files. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to have a hard-drive based installer that looks to the CD for the data.

    At any rate, Bioware did make good on their promise to support Linux and Linux gamers should be grateful.

  2. Let this be a lesson... by GweeDo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    First of all, good work Bioware on finally get something into our hands. I hope that what they have gone through can serve as a lesson to others planning to release a game accross multiple platforms. Be sure that the tools you are using exist on each platform. *One* of the longest delays was due to the Video and Sound engine (I believe it was the Miles engine) not be supported in Linux (but then it finally was...it is a long story). This is why we need API's like OpenGL, OpenAL, SDL and the likes. It makes things a lot easier to release on a multiple platforms.

    I also hope Bioware has learned to keep their mouth shut if they don't know when something will be done. They lied to the community more than once about the state of the Linux client and that made many very mad...so...wise up!

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  3. The Reason by RobertKozak · · Score: 5, Interesting


    My guess is that they were waiting for some tools from Borland on the linux side.
    Bioware's engine was written with Borland C++ Builder on Windows and they needed to use Kylix 3 which allows them to compile C/C++ code as well as Delphi.
    Disclaimer: I worked on the first couple of versions of Kylix when I used to work at Borland. That said, I just want to say it really is a great development environment and you should check it out if you haven't yet. They have an Enterprise Trial and an Open Edition which can be downloaded here.
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