Desura Game Distribution Service Releases On Linux

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Desura Game Distribution Service Releases On Linux

Posted by Soulskill on Thursday November 17, 2011 @05:01AM from the gaming-in-a-tux dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Desura is a digital distribution platform for video games, focusing on releases from indie developers and mods rather than AAA titles. After a two-month beta period, Desura has launched a Linux client, which supports the installation and patching of games on any Linux distribution. With this release, Desura is the first client to work on both Windows and Linux systems, enabling games to be installed with a click. They're currently in discussions to release the code under the GPL."

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Meh.... by sl4shd0rk · 2011-11-17 05:08 · Score: 4, Insightful

Looks like all the game titles are Humble Bundle games. Don't get me wrong, I love the HB games and I think it's great that Linux is getting some gaming love but when I can just download, tar xvfz && ./runme , I don't see the point of this. Are other titles available? Does this mean EA is going to start doing Linux ports through this?

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1. Re:Meh.... by poetmatt · 2011-11-17 05:16 · Score: 1
  
  I think the idea is great. However, exactly that: the *idea*. I'd like to see this become more successful for sure!
  It seems like a majority of games listed cannot be installed directly through this, steam style.
  Is it me or is there not an easy way to split off "which games can be installed directly" vs "which games you're just adding a link" from their website?
2. Re:Meh.... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 05:17 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  The idea is create something like steam. You can download the game from the developer's website, but having a single interface where you can download, buy, apply mods, manage friends, etc is the point of this. I don't really like the idea of this since it places too much power in a single company (see steam), but there is a demand for it and desura seems a good software that has love for linux. It is already rather big and it looks like it can drive some major games to linux with some more time, so I support them even thought I don't like the idea of this kind of software and the software if not free (yet, I hope).
3. Re:Meh.... by HarrySquatter · 2011-11-17 05:22 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  and it looks like it can drive some major games to linux with some more time
  Hahaha what? Desura will have almost no impact of bringing major games. If there was a market for that Stream for Linux would have already berm released rather than Michael of Phoronix perpetually claiming it's just around the current.
4. Re:Meh.... by bonch · 2011-11-17 05:24 · Score: 0, Insightful
  
  when I can just download, tar xvfz && ./runme , I don't see the point of this.
  You'd really rather "tar xvfz && ./runme" instead of installing in a GUI?
  
  Does this mean EA is going to start doing Linux ports through this?
  If that was true, I'm sure we'd have heard about it. Besides, in the unlikely event that Linux desktop gaming actually picked up any momentum, Valve would just release their Linux port of Steam.
5. Re:Meh.... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 05:28 · Score: 1
  
  If Steam is ever released for linux it will probably kill desura (or leave it with only indie games forever), but if there is no steam for linux and major game developers have some interest in porting games to linux, an established platform like desura that has an established userbase and such can be the extra incentive they need.
6. Re:Meh.... by WorBlux · 2011-11-17 05:47 · Score: 1
  
  I have no problem just executing the games without the desura client. Sure you have to dig a little into the file hierarchy to find the binaries, but you can launch the games without even starting the desura client. Offline mode works fine. Sure it's potentially risky as you might get more than one multiplayer service cut off at once, but it's better than steam where they can cut off everything not just multiplayer.
7. Re:Meh.... by HarrySquatter · 2011-11-17 05:48 · Score: 1
  
  Uhhh, no. Big name game companies aren't going to go through some no-name to distribute their games. They'd develop their own platform, port their platform (EA) or preassure Valve to port Steam. The big game companies WILL NOT use Desura. That is ludicrous fantasy.
8. Re:Meh.... by tomstockmail · 2011-11-17 05:55 · Score: 2
  
  Are other titles available?
  Yes there are. Oil Rush, for example. You can browse the Linux only games by going to the game browsing page and clicking the Tux in the upper right hand corner. The Humble Indie Bundle was popular and came with Desura keys, so a lot of people can test using Desura without having to buy a game straight out from them.
  
  Are other titles available? Does this mean EA is going to start doing Linux ports through this?
  I *highly* doubt EA will ever start doing Linux ports and if they did, they'd find a way to bring Origin to Linux to do it. But Desura acts as a game distribute service that goes across Windows, Linux and soon to be OSX that developers can utilize when creating cross platform games. I welcome Desura and will be using it for future game transactions since Steam never decided to make a Linux port.
9. Re:Meh.... by shish · 2011-11-17 05:58 · Score: 1
  
  I don't see the point of this
  Package management is an excellent thing, but apt-get doesn't work so well with non-free (as in money) software
  
  --
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10. Re:Meh.... by bluefoxlucid · 2011-11-17 06:01 · Score: 1
  
  Loki Games....
  
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11. Re:Meh.... by OliWarner · 2011-11-17 06:08 · Score: 1
  
  Which games are these? All the games I've tried have installed and played directly from Desura.
12. Re:Meh.... by OliWarner · 2011-11-17 06:11 · Score: 1
  
  It all depends on the price. As a customer I certainly wouldn't mind running both if it meant I got cheaper games.
13. Re:Meh.... by Kjella · 2011-11-17 06:12 · Score: 2
  
  Package management is an excellent thing, but apt-get doesn't work so well with non-free (as in money) software
  Somehow I don't see this being more difficult than having a HTTP(S) user:pass for your paid "steam-like" repository. Generate the package list on the fly - the packages are the same, just which appear to be available. Use file permissions to make sure nobody wget anything they shouldn't and it'll be almost like steam. Throw in your standard webshop interface, on purchase you add the package to your user set and file permissions on the server, call apt-get update, apt-get install $game. Patches come via apt-get upgrade/dist-upgrade as usual. Expansions as separate packages with dependencies. There's no DRM but you can check IP logs if an account is being used by many and go after unauthorized mirrors.
  
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14. Re:Meh.... by OliWarner · 2011-11-17 06:13 · Score: 2
  
  Package management is an excellent thing, but apt-get doesn't work so well with non-free (as in money) software
  It can. You can easily have custom (ie locked to one user) package lists with secured downloads and pump all that through Deb. It's all HTTP after all; anything you can do on a website you could do with the current apt stack.
15. Re:Meh.... by drinkypoo · 2011-11-17 06:20 · Score: 1
  
  Package management is an excellent thing, but apt-get doesn't work so well with non-free (as in money) software
  Maybe not, but dpkg works fine.
  
  --
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16. Re:Meh.... by HarrySquatter · 2011-11-17 06:21 · Score: 1
  
  So a company that didn't run a digital game distribution platform and went out of business? Wow what a stunning comeback! They were a third party licensor that paid to port games. How is that equivalent to what steam or desura do?
17. Re:Meh.... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 06:30 · Score: 0
  
  A draw for Steam with publishers, aside from the large customer base and streamlined distribution, is integrated DRM. I don't think that'd fly with linux users.
18. Re:Meh.... by QuasiSteve · 2011-11-17 06:30 · Score: 1
  
  when I can just download, tar xvfz && ./runme , I don't see the point of this
  I think you just demonstrated (one of) the point(s);
  
  Desura is the first client to work on both Windows and Linux systems, enabling games to be installed with a click
  
  Most people aren't amused with having to first find the download, then download it, unpack it, install it, etc. when there's a shinier option that has already found what you (presumably) want for you and lets you install it with a minimum number of polished UI interactions.
  Doesn't detract from your question regarding other titles, though - I would have modded you up for that if I had disposable modpoints.
19. Re:Meh.... by HarrySquatter · 2011-11-17 06:34 · Score: 1
  
  Then you'll have to live with most big game companies passing up your platform.
20. Re:Meh.... by poetmatt · 2011-11-17 06:56 · Score: 1
  
  when I looked, I looked for EA games and a few others - they were the top of the list. It said "we can add a shortcut" but not "install".
  examples: http://www.desura.com/company/electronic-arts/games
  they all say "shortcut"...so, can't install straight through desura on linux, right?
21. Re:Meh.... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 07:14 · Score: 0
  
  Also, as they mentioned in one of the posts they are 'in talks with some bigger companies', when mentioning Linux games. So, idSoftware?
22. Re:Meh.... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 07:29 · Score: 1
  
  Looks like all the game titles are Humble Bundle games. Are other titles available?
  The Penumbras, the Amnesias, and Dungeons of Dredmor.
23. Re:Meh.... by EsbenMoseHansen · 2011-11-17 07:33 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  I bought and installed Dungeons of Dredmor (which is a fun game, if you like that sort of thing), and it both installs and run through Desura.
  
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24. Re:Meh.... by bluefoxlucid · 2011-11-17 07:44 · Score: 0
  
  A company that shipped Tribes 2, UT, Quake 3, Railroad Tycoon, SC3000, Civilization, Soldier of Fortune... yes, a no-name company that went out of business, which no big game companies like ID Software or Activision are going to pay attention to, right? Or did you mean only EA counts as a big game company--the Microsoft of Video Games, while these people are just small Apples?
  
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25. Re:Meh.... by HarrySquatter · 2011-11-17 08:11 · Score: 1
  
  Loki Games paid to port those games and Loki was not a digital distribution service. So again, what's your point since they are nothing like what Steam and Desura are?
26. Re:Meh.... by vadim_t · 2011-11-17 08:18 · Score: 1
  
  You'd really rather "tar xvfz && ./runme" instead of installing in a GUI?
  Yes. If you really want a GUI you can always uncompress and doubleclick in one instead. If it's a package then just clicking it will bring up the software manager, what else is needed?
  I do not need my stuff to be managed by some third party. I want to deal with the developer only, and nobody else.
27. Re:Meh.... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 08:29 · Score: 0
  
  Using distribution packages (*.rpm, *.deb, *.aur...) is even much better!
28. Re:Meh.... by Svartalf · 2011-11-17 08:42 · Score: 1
  
  The only problems with an apt-get framework is that it means you have to add repos for any pool of the downloadables and there is NO management for who gets to download the title. Do keep in mind that the titles are not all FOSS or free as in beer, for that matter. Right now the package managers for the distributions really, really don't have the framework in place for this sort of thing. If it did, I'd be all for it and I'd be helping it grow that way- and this only gets into distributions that do packaging like this. What about Gentoo, etc. that don't have a packaging system, per se, in the same sense as Debian and Red Hat have developed?
  
  --
  I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
29. Re:Meh.... by Svartalf · 2011-11-17 08:46 · Score: 1
  
  It's easy to talk about some of the technicals and none of the logistics or the total technicals. You're oversimplifying this as are all the others talking about doing this thing.
  Rather than arguing the subject with you all...I challenge you to IMPLEMENT the thing you're talking to in a manner that it can be secured well enough to make the indie studios and the big labels happy. Why am I challenging you all? Because, like I am doing now, someone did the same thing and I put my money where my mouth was and did game ports.
  If not, all you're doing is wasting your and everyone else's time on this. Seriously.
  
  --
  I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
30. Re:Meh.... by bluefoxlucid · 2011-11-17 09:12 · Score: 1
  
  My point is that claiming a business is auto-fail because it's not a big multi-megacorp is like giving the guy who came up with FedEx a fail for having a ridiculous and impossible business plan that involves shit that hasn't been done before; except in this case, we've already seen no-name distributors carry big-name titles.
  
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  Support my political activism on Patreon.
31. Re:Meh.... by bonch · 2011-11-17 09:18 · Score: 0
  
  Mainstream users don't want to run esoteric command line utilities and micromanage packages to install a game. The GUI has been around since the 1960s; it's time to embrace the expectations of the rest of the world.
32. Re:Meh.... by vadim_t · 2011-11-17 09:23 · Score: 1
  
  You should pay more attention when reading.
  What micromanagement? You double click the .deb or .rpm, it asks if you want to install it, and that's it.
33. Re:Meh.... by HermMunster · 2011-11-17 09:36 · Score: 1
  
  One more link to a complete ecosystem. Who cares what the Windows fanbois think or say.
  
  --
  You can lead a man with reason but you can't make him think.
34. Re:Meh.... by sproketboy · 2011-11-17 09:49 · Score: 1
  
  Why would any company be doing any serious development for Linux since no one will pay for anything?
35. Re:Meh.... by Kjella · 2011-11-17 10:32 · Score: 2
  
  The only problems with an apt-get framework is that it means you have to add repos for any pool of the downloadables and there is NO management for who gets to download the title.
  Well, that was what I was saying you could build.
  
  Do keep in mind that the titles are not all FOSS or free as in beer, for that matter.
  What part of "after purchase" didn't you read?
  
  Right now the package managers for the distributions really, really don't have the framework in place for this sort of thing.
  That I agree, but the package managers wouldn't have to do anything special. Nor would the packagers.
  
  If it did, I'd be all for it and I'd be helping it grow that way- and this only gets into distributions that do packaging like this. What about Gentoo, etc. that don't have a packaging system, per se, in the same sense as Debian and Red Hat have developed?
  If you want to download a binary game, it has to work on some binary interface. I don't see how it can work any other way.
  Maybe I'll try explaining it to you slooooowly:
  1. You set up a website foo.com. There you have a store to purchase games.
  2. Users register at foo.com like user "svartalf" with some password.
  3. Users add repository hxxps://svartalf:[password]@foo.com
  4. When the user calls apt-get update, the server knows who the user is. Instead of returning a static file, it does something like "SELECT * FROM packages JOIN sales WHERE buyer = 'svartalf' " and generates a package list on the fly which would be empty. Use some apache mod for this.
  5. You buy "Angry Birds" in web shop. The server does an "INSERT sales WHERE package = 'angrybirds' AND buyer = 'svartalf' " and does a "pw usermod svartalf -G angrybirdowners" where angrybirdowners is a user group that has read access to angrybirds.deb - or just use that apache mod again to refuse backdoor wget attempts.
  6. You call apt-get update again, same query as #4 but now it finds your purchase. It's exactly like a new package appeared on any repository.
  7. Now you can apt-get install angrybirds, it's just a regular package download to apt-get.
  Apt-get doesn't realize it's hitting a paywall, it's just like a normal repository. But if you haven't paid the repository is empty, if you have paid the repository has the package. To set up a new machine, you simply add the repository with your username and password and apt-get away. You can of course integrate the webshop and the apt-get calling into an app to make it a bit more user friendly, but it'd be just as described. You buy and "magically" the file is now there in the repository. Someone skilled could probably prototype this in a few hours.
  
  --
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36. Re:Meh.... by vadim_t · 2011-11-17 11:28 · Score: 1
  
  I like the idea, and I agree: there's no need to come up with something new and strange when Linux already has perfectly good package management.
37. Re:Meh.... by hamsolo474 · 2011-11-17 13:15 · Score: 2
  
  have you looked at the results of all the humble bundles, this year alone. linux users CONSISTANTLY pay more than their mac or windows counterparts. if memory serves on the humble indie bundle 3 they paid double what windows paid and a quarter more than what mac users paid. its the non programming equivalent of script kiddies who pirate everything they touch, and i dont see the majority of linux users fitting that. and unfortunately there is not a FOSS equivalent for everything, especially not games and software required for work. so lets recap, we have a higher paying demographic we have a more mature audience who is less likely to pirate and we have a demand for commercial applications there is an untapped wealth in linux users and its blind fools like yourself who keep it that way.
38. Re:Meh.... by bonch · 2011-11-17 13:26 · Score: 0
  
  You should pay more attention when reading.
  Not clear on the reason for the negative attitude.
  
  What micromanagement? You double click the .deb or .rpm, it asks if you want to install it, and that's it.
  You suggested decompressing and double-clicking packages in the file manager. That's like manually managing music files in the era of jukebox apps like iTunes. The success of software stores like Steam and Apple's app store signals that directly dealing with packages through the filesystem has become an outdated concept.
39. Re:Meh.... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 17:12 · Score: 0
  
  The perception that no Linux user will pay for commercial software is prevalent, but it's obviously not accurate. Counter-examples:
  http://www.ubuntuvibes.com/2011/11/jens-nilsson-from-frictional-games.html
  http://www.hemispheregames.com/2010/06/23/linux-the-numbers/
40. Re:Meh.... by RubberMallet · 2011-11-17 19:44 · Score: 2
  
  It's a chicken meet egg syndrome. Game developers won't make Linux games because there is no centralized distribution platform, and there is no centralized distribution platform because there are no game developers making games. Ubuntu is trying with the Ubuntu store.... but it's Ubuntu only. Something like Desura is a HUGE step in the right direction. If even one major game developer starts releasing top tier games through Desura, the rest will feel pressure to do the same.
41. Re:Meh.... by vadim_t · 2011-11-17 20:46 · Score: 1
  
  You suggested decompressing and double-clicking packages in the file manager. That's like manually managing music files in the era of jukebox apps like iTunes.
  You're confusing two separate things.
  1. A .tar.gz can be uncompressed, and the installer executed from a GUI. Just because most people use the command line for it, doesn't mean you can't untar something from the GUI of your choice.
  2. A .deb or a .rpm can be installed by just clicking on it, without needing anything extra. No special software is needed. Manual uncompression isn't needed either.
  
  The success of software stores like Steam and Apple's app store signals that directly dealing with packages through the filesystem has become an outdated concept.
  Steam and Apple's app store aren't necessary when the OS already provides the same functionality. If you don't like clicking .deb files, then use the software manager app instead.
42. Re:Meh.... by OliWarner · 2011-11-18 03:45 · Score: 1
  
  I'm not oversimplifying anything. This is simple!
  Seriously.
  1. Give the user a unique repo URL (telling them to add it is the hardest thing here)
  2. When their apt hits it for packages.gz, the system looks at their unique identifier and see's which packages they're allowed and sends them the results
  3. When they try to download something, the system checks again to see if they're allowed it. If they are, it sends it the package.
  What is hard about that? A monkey with two minutes of PHP experience could write something that did this. No, it's not the most secure thing on the planet but SSL stops people sniffing it and the owner should trust the user. There is an argument that having the package manager handle the package downloads, you're already taking the files out of the users' hands. It would be technically harder for users to pirate things using my system.
  And if the developer has a raging clue for DRM, they can implement that at package level, either in the installer or in the application itself.
  The only major issue here is performance. Clever caching will help subsequent hits but there's always going to be a bit of database io involved when you're looking up things. It's not going to be as fast as a non-authenticated option.
43. Re:Meh.... by OliWarner · 2011-11-18 03:48 · Score: 2
  
  These games aren't for sale through Desura. You can buy them elsewhere and install them and add a shortcut inside Desura so all your games are in one place - that's the option it's offering you there.
  Games that you can buy through Desura are managed and installed for you, just like they would be with Steam.
44. Re:Meh.... by poetmatt · 2011-11-18 07:29 · Score: 1
  
  I like Dredmor a lot personally, and already have a copy on steam.
45. Re:Meh.... by Patch86 · 2011-11-18 09:12 · Score: 1
  
  Why? Companies will use whatever is cheapest and easiest. All services are no-name at the beginning.
  If a big game company (Activision, say) wanted to release a game for Linux, they'd set about figuring out what's the easiest way of doing it- standalone, through an existing service, or in partnership with someone like Steam. They'll pick whatever comes out top. No reason why a "no-name" startup like Desura won't be picked, if the price and facilities offered are right.
  Hell, most big game companies would feel happy enough to sell their game through multiple channels. I can pick up the same games on Steam, GamersGate, Game.com, and all sorts of websites- the developers don't care who makes the sale, as long as they get the sale. By that logic, there's no reason why they wouldn't use Desura (if, as above, the particulars suited them) in addition to any other services that become available (e.g., Steam for Linux).
  Steam would kill Desura by stealing their customer base, not by stealing their titles.
46. Re:Meh.... by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-20 15:26 · Score: 0
  
  That's fine. They're not the only ones that can make good games.
Awesome software by kallisti5 · 2011-11-17 05:11 · Score: 5, Informative

I've been beta testing the Linux release for a while now, it's a well designed piece of software! It's nice having all your indie Linux games in one spot with reviews. It also makes a nice support channel when the games don't run right. Debian friendly.
1. Re:Awesome software by esocid · 2011-11-17 05:53 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  RPM (Fedora) friendly too. I bought Project Zomboid, which later put it on Desura. It installed no problem, and also ran no problem, which I wasn't expecting.
  
  --
  Absolute power corrupts absolutely. indymedia
2. Re:Awesome software by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 08:18 · Score: 0
  
  But I thought we were supposed to hate App Stores!!!!
  I mean unless they're called a "Repository"!!!!
3. Re:Awesome software by kallisti5 · 2011-11-17 09:22 · Score: 1
  
  RPM (Fedora) friendly too. I bought Project Zomboid, which later put it on Desura. It installed no problem, and also ran no problem, which I wasn't expecting.
  Ha! Project Zomboid is a great freaking game. It's funny how an 8-bit game can make you cringe.
4. Re:Awesome software by monkyyy · 2011-11-17 17:07 · Score: 0
  
  we hate forced app stores/reps this does not apply as u dont have to install it and it doesnt come tried to hardware
  
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  warning pointless sig
PROTIP: Package management systems! by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 05:36 · Score: 2, Insightful

Oh boy... the Windows-think people are at it again.
Next thing we know, they'll "invent" the concept of "everything is a file".
Or brag about their awesome new Linux versions of AutoIt and WinBatch called "ash" and "wbash".
They just invented NIH all over again... :P
1. Re:PROTIP: Package management systems! by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 09:36 · Score: 0
  
  Uh, you think software packaging began with Linux? Go back to school.
Awesome - and some good games! by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 05:51 · Score: 1

I've been on the Beta as well. It works great, and I found a game that I love. I've become addicted to the game Oil Rush, which I think is still in beta too, but you can buy it on Desura, or directly from the developers, is a really fun game with excellent graphics. It's a tower defense game, I kind of view it as an updated Red Alert, set on the sea, with really fancy graphics and a really fun game play. I'm going to have some friends over this weekend and we're going to try to LAN it. I think it will be a blast.
Ubuntu Software Center? by SlothDead · 2011-11-17 06:23 · Score: 1

I just bought Braid in Ubuntu's Software Center (Appstore). How is this better?
1. Re:Ubuntu Software Center? by Tarlus · 2011-11-17 06:36 · Score: 2
  
  Because Desura is made to be accessible for any Linux distro, and not just Ubuntu.
  
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2. Re:Ubuntu Software Center? by recrudescence · 2011-11-17 06:43 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Because you now also own the game on windows and mac.
3. Re:Ubuntu Software Center? by CodeReign · 2011-11-17 07:20 · Score: 0
  
  And fedora, people think that ubuntu is good stuff but they forget that it might not be the best forever (this somewhat assumes the are the best consumer wise currently. Though I've never really liked ubuntu distros).
4. Re:Ubuntu Software Center? by Svartalf · 2011-11-17 08:47 · Score: 1
  
  Which is why I'm tickled they finished the thing. I'm going to be in talks w/them to see what the story is on behalf of the Indies I represent.
  
  --
  I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
WTF!? ANONYMOUS READER!? by recrudescence · 2011-11-17 06:46 · Score: 2, Interesting

I have submitted this news item on firehose at least twice now and it got rejected each time! And now some anonymous dude pitches up and gets it in first time!
*rants and mumbles*
Seriously, Editors. It's either newsworthy or it isn't.
1. Re:WTF!? ANONYMOUS READER!? by IronSight · 2011-11-17 07:11 · Score: 1
  
  Hell, at this point it's not even really news anymore. I know personally I've had desura installed in linux now for at least a couple weeks.
I have to ask by airfoobar · 2011-11-17 06:55 · Score: 1

What about DRM?
1. Re:I have to ask by monkyyy · 2011-11-17 17:12 · Score: 0
  
  less then steam, more then apt-get
  
  --
  warning pointless sig
Can they get it working by rsilvergun · 2011-11-17 07:02 · Score: 1

regardless of your distro? I'm not asking for much, I just want 2d graphics on par with what a Dreamcast or PS2 could do (that's 2d, I don't need 3d, except maybe at Minecraft levels). What I really want is a dev environment / language that enforces packaging, and a guaranteed base system. Linux vendors keep trying to make something like this and failing. I guess what's really needed is something like the Ruby philosophy: convention over configuration. e.g. just pick something for God sakes and go with it, even if it's not the best solution.

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1. Re:Can they get it working by Svartalf · 2011-11-17 08:50 · Score: 1
  
  I suspect so. I've had surprisingly few issues with the scheme I'm using for producing my indie games- I target anything from Debian Sarge forward (some 10+ distributions tested and used by customers so far...) with how I build and package with MojoSetup. Right now, most of the titles are straight ports so they can't be global installs (per user acct installs...but since the games are small and without any DRM, etc...) but I'm going to do a follow on release of all of them to hopefully fix that issue. Desura would provide an avenue to maybe take it a few steps further.
  
  --
  I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
2. Re:Can they get it working by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 16:20 · Score: 0
  
  The Desura software keeps crashing on Mandriva 2010.2. Oh, well . . .
wait, this sounds amazing?! by Tyrannosaur · 2011-11-17 07:21 · Score: 1

So, is this like steam that can run on linux? I have not heard of this, but supporting linux is worth helping, at least for the idea. I am always super annoyed when I want to play a video game but have to boot into Windows first. (yes I started to try playOnLinux but it wasn't working right)
1. Re:wait, this sounds amazing?! by Svartalf · 2011-11-17 08:53 · Score: 1
  
  Heh... It's the Indie community coming up with it's own answers for things, similar to what Valve came up with for Steam so that it can be supported on ALL primary desktop OSes, much like the thinking that the Humble Bundle people have with things. I'm hopeful that I can get to something that will let me start scooping up not just Indie port work on things... It's a piece part of the puzzle that's been kind of missing (Looking at Valve for not trying to get their answer out...and grumbling...) for a bit now. I've got several installer choices at my disposal, I just don't have a framework other than my own or some of the e-tailers out there for doing this with the titles I've helped port...until now.
  
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  I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
Re:Meh.... Meh, indeed... by Svartalf · 2011-11-17 08:38 · Score: 2

Well, considering that none of them have had a tool quite like this (the Steam version that Valve has internally not withstanding...) available, combined with Desura being at least initially Indie-oriented, it's going to lead to the effect you're commenting to there. There's not exactly going to be any EA, Valve (duh!), Square|Enix, etc. titles on there yet. As for them wanting to do them, that might come with time with a service or two like this available to handle things. I know it's going to be a subject of discussion with some of my studios I work for to get the Linux ports over there to see if they'll sell better than they have before- and I'll be talking with them about possible Pandora handheld clients along with a few other ARM-centric clients like it.
If you're not working in the industry and don't know what they're looking for in things (this is one of them, actually)...keep the "Meh" to yourself for at least now.

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I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
How many? by sproketboy · 2011-11-17 09:38 · Score: 1

How many Linux users will actually pay for any of this? My guess is hardly any. It will be interesting to come back to Desura in a year and see how their doing.
1. Re:How many? by jyx · 2011-11-17 11:05 · Score: 2
  
  you are kidding right? Have a look at the stats for the humble bundle releases some time. Linux users are more than willing to hand over the cash for pew pew's.
I wonder if this evil bug is fixed by Anonymous Coward · 2011-11-17 13:40 · Score: 0

Click on "Blog" and it spams to open your default browser to lots of facebook like tabs.
Re:so what? by monkyyy · 2011-11-17 16:59 · Score: 0

actually ive been using it for mods on windows for a while, and have been using it on linux for a few days now
its not bad, lightweight, a little slow at logging in but then again so is steam

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