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Transgaming Releases WineX 3.2

Posted by simoniker on from the war-payne-world dept.

Beolach writes "Transgaming today released WineX 3.2, their subscription-download tool which 'brings the hottest Windows titles to devoted Linux gamers', now including support for Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne and Homeworld 2, among others. The release announcement also quotes Markus Maki, Development Director of Remedy Entertainment as saying: "TransGaming's unique ability to enable Max Payne 2 to run on Linux without any access to the source code is quite impressive. We're extremely pleased that TransGaming is broadening our reach to new audiences and that the Linux community continues to enjoy our products thanks to TransGaming's outstanding work." In other words, this is all Linux gets for Max Payne 2."

8 of 65 comments (clear)

  1. translation... by shweazel · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "TransGaming's unique ability to enable Max Payne 2 to run on Linux without any access to the source code is quite impressive. We're extremely pleased that TransGaming is broadening our reach to new audiences and that the Linux community continues to enjoy our products thanks to TransGaming's outstanding work."

    Translation:
    "Holy shit they ported our game for free!"

    Seriously though, why are gamers stuck funding these ports?
    Instead of gamers paying transgaming, and then deciding which games are ported, why arent the developers/publishers paying transgaming to get their game onto the "supported" list? This could be a lot cheaper than a full-fledged port.

    1. Re:translation... by MMaestro · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Because developers don't want to fund something that does not guarantee a financial success. A developer can make the greatest game of the decade, but they're not going to pay a $250,000 in time and resources porting the game into Linux in return for a $100,000. They are in the business to make MONEY, not "to be different" and support Linux because they don't like Windows for X reason.

      Until the Linux MARKET, not community, succeeds in proving itself to be a market to be recognized, Linux is just like the early Mac gaming market. Overlooked, because so few people used it.

    2. Re:translation... by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 3, Interesting
      No, you're missing the point. (Notice how rude it is to start a post by telling the parent is missing the point?) The exact numbers don't matter at all. Sure, it costs less than $250,000 to get a game supported. Would the charge to the company be less than this? Probably. But does that matter? No, and here's why - the cost of getting the game on the supported list is obviously greater than the return, otherwise companies would be doing this. You notice how game support for Linux isn't exactly universal? That's because the most amount of money can be made sticking with Windows.

      It may be cheaper for Transgaming to fix the bugs but what is being suggested here is that the development company pay Transgaming for this work. It's a nice idea but not exactly revolutionary. If the market dictated that this would be profitable, it would have already happened. That answers your final question as to why the developers are not funding Transgaming - it would hurt their profit too much - very, very simple economics. But you don't seem to get it.

      --
      I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
    3. Re:translation... by Mike+Hawk · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Acidic is right, and I really hate agreeing with that guy. You think they havent thought of every possible way to make money off of a game? If it was profitable, they would do it. That is the point and the only point. Most developers dont release a half-assed port, they don't release one at all. (What did someone say once? Developers, developers, developers, developers, etc.)

      And you both have forgotten something that would happen uniquely if they made winex officially "supported". Who would handle the CS calls when it doesnt work? IE more money out of the developer's/publisher's pocket when it might be transgaming's fault.

      Nope, winex is staying unofficial for lots of good reasons.

    4. Re:translation... by Directrix1 · · Score: 3, Funny

      All I have to say is: I'm glad I switched away from Microsoft to avoid the Microsoft tax of $100 every 2 years, so I can now pay the Transgaming tax of $5 per month * 12 months/year * 2 years = $120.... doh!

      --
      Occam's razor is the blind faith in the natural selection of least resistance and in universal oversimplification. -- EF
  2. Great quote by jvmatthe · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Sorry, but this just leaves me breathless:
    "Our groundbreaking portability development continues to keep pace with the industry's recent and most challenging games written for Windows," remarks Peter Hunnisett, Manager of TransGaming's Linux Development Team. "Dynamic sound, rich graphics and riveting game play are matched and, in some instances, surpassed with our WineX technology." [my emphasis added]
    I take that to mean that the Windows game plays better under Linux using WineX than it does under Windows. I know people will say things like "no BSOD!" to be funny, but doesn't this strike anyone else as a lot of malarkey? What runs better...Mine Sweeper?

    Ok, flame on!

    --
    Curmudgeon Gamer: Not happy
    1. Re:Great quote by Beolach · · Score: 5, Informative

      A game I play fairly often performs better under WineX than under M$ Windows. You may have heard of it: WarCraft III.

      Under Linux/WineX I run it at 1280x1024, under Windows I can't stand the performance at any resolution higher than 1024x768.

      --
      Join moola.com, play games to earn money.
  3. Put your money where your mouth is by Screaming+Lunatic · · Score: 4, Insightful
    We're extremely pleased that TransGaming is broadening our reach to new audiences and that the Linux community continues to enjoy our products thanks to TransGaming's outstanding work.

    Remedy should put their money where their mouth is if they are so pleased.

    They should license WineX, throw it on a CD with Max Payne 2 and shrink wrap it. It should be sold at the same price as the Windows version. It's the least they could do for a company that is "broadening their reach to new audiences". In other words, helping Remedy sell more units.