10 Points About Transgaming's Cedega/WineX

jvm writes "Attempting to raise the level of the discussion, Dan 'theoddone33' Olson has put together a list of ten critical observations that every potential Linux gamer should consider before buying Transgaming's WINE-based product Cedega (formerly WineX). Dan invites credible rebuttals to the points he's raised. The debate over the value of Cedega/WINE as a solution for the nascent Linux gaming community continues..."

Comments

Slashdotted, but I bought it last month, so...

[26199]

Have to say I was impressed... I can now play Counterstrike without rebooting, which is very nice. Doom 3 works too. It's cheap, it works, haven't seen any reason to complain.

It actually makes me think of Linux as a viable platform for games... not a viable platform in five years' time, but a viable platform now.

What the hell is /. doing posting this tripe?

[marcushnk]

I'm sick of these halfwitts sledging a real contributer to the gaming industry in Linux.
These guys have a good history, yeah its not squeeky clean but so bloody what?!?
They contributed to Loki's technology, Gavriel is on good Terms with Ryan (Icculus) and there are many other linux NATIVE technologies that owe their success in part to direct help from Transgaming.

FFS, if you don't like them then DON'T BLOODY use their product, stop stabbing the poor bastards in the back. /rant over
*mutter grumble* *kicks cat*

Windows games = Windows community

[Trurl's Machine]

The debate over the value of Cedega/WINE as a solution for the nascent Linux gaming community continues..."

I think this debate is pointless. If you purchase a Windows game, you are a member of the Windows gaming community, period. It doesn't matter if you play it on native Wintel platform or on Macintosh emulating x86/Windows via Virtual PC - or Linux emulating Windows APIs. The next logical step is to quit all your Linux activity and reboot your computer to MS Windows, the same game will run even better then. The *only* way to build Linux gaming community is via native Linux ports, just as the relatively small Macintosh gaming community does. Mac users got used to waiting months or years for native ports to be released. They don't complain paying premium prices for games whose Windows ports are already in bargain bins. There will be no "Linux gaming community", not until Linux gamers accept similar solution.

Re:Slashdotted already?

[ScottGant]

# Performance
The games I play actually run faster on my system than they do on my wife's XP system. I guess I'm doing something wrong.

# Pricing
15 bucks...wow...that's like...3/4 of a $20...

# Progress
In the 3 months I've "subscribed" to it they've had 2 major releases.

# Potential
True, they play catch up with MS...but what else can they do, they have to see where MS is going so they know how to emulate the calls MS is calling for etc etc. They can't just make the shit up and hope MS follows THEM? Right?

# Priorities
Oh, so a company can't have two areas where they're branching off? Apple released the iPod, did everyone start screaming saying they were going to abandon the Mac or now their interests lay elsewhere? Come on.

# Promises
Sounds like a wash here. No opinion either way. They do release back to the community though, but perhaps not enough it seems.

# Packaging
Agreed here. They should let the distos have it as a package at least. The development package.

# Propaganda
Sounds like this point is propaganda itself. Notice that he offers no proof that they "fail to hold up under scrutiny". Ok, how so? Honestly, I'd like to know...break it down for me because frankly I'm too lazy. But then again, I don't belive 90% of the claims of any product...even the ones I like. lol (i'm joking people...don't get your panties in a bunch).

# Prevention
He states: There is speculation that Cedega... Ok...SPECULATION? So, how is this a bad mark on their part? I could speculate also doesn't make it true. And as we can see, companies are still making ports for Linux. But he did pull it together at the end.

I don't know...he makes some points to make one think...and they would be worth thinking if it weren't for the fact that Cedega cost me all of $15 bucks and it works great with the games I throw at it.

And that's kind of a hard thing to complain about...if it works, it works. And for me it works. Doesn't work for you, not much I can do about it. I can't rally around something that works for me and doesn't work for others. I mean, how can I do that? I would just be repeating what others are saying and not going from personal experience: "Boo...down with Transgaming! BOOO...Yes, it works for me on the games I play...but I've heard that others have problems with it...so BOOO!"

I'd sound like and idiot! Ok...perhaps I already do.