Well, its the principle of the thing. A Linux client alongside a Windows and Mac client, in the same retail box, for what looks to be the biggest game of the year... it says something. Of course I'm happy it'll be available on-line, but I'd still like to see a bit more Linux action in the brick-and-mortar scene.
Yes, we Linux users usually download everything anyhow, but I happen to be one of those poor saps still stuck on a 33.6K modem connection (geographically challenged) and just downloading minor things (like, say, the Linux kernel) can be painful. Heh, I really hope the NWN network code allows me to multi-play decently, too:)
What I'd like to know is why (once again) Linux is not being represented in the retail box. All the way up to release, the story I heard was "versions of the product for Linux, Macintosh, and Windows were going to be in the same retail box." That was one of the biggest reasons for my money going into this game (other than being a fan of Bioware's previous works like the Baldur's Gate series, the revolutionary approach to this game in particular, and of CRPG in general). Sure I'll still buy the game, but I dislike in the extreme having to wait "a short time" (which could mean a month) to play it on my OS of choice.
Did you look at the preview, man? Do those screenshots look even remotely like the Icewind Dale tileset using the Infinity Engine? No, they are glorious 3D with mucho sfx, which is still nice no matter what people say about 3D not making the game (I happen to agree). I don't think anyone can compare these two games, below literary scopes like plot and characterization. And since NWN isn't even out yet to defend itself...
Icewind Dale was more hack'n'slash than plot-driven anyhow, while Baldur's Gate et al were certainly better in storyline and made you think a few times. The best thing about the Baldur's Gate series was the continuity. Your character wasn't just a dice-spun sword-slinger, he or she actually gained personality along the way.
Reading through this preview and many other previews, I get a very positive impression of a highly extensible and flexible gaming system (and not one that has to be hacked for add-ons). As the previewer said, this isn't just another computer RPG, either single- or multi-player... it's quite probably ground-breaking in both arenas.
No offense, but if I were you I wouldn't base my opinion of an entire gaming genre (a very widely-ranging genre at that) on one or two bad apples. Give the game a chance, its certainly got a great many more than you or I salivating over it (and, for a change, has great promise to actually deliver).
A thing like this leaves MS open to so much flak, it seems barely worth their effort. Everyone knows most of what they said is just plain wrong, so let's explore why Microsoft even posted it.
The DoJ trial has reached an end-point, things aren't looking good for Microsoft's monopolistic future, and now this comes out. Hmm, sounds like a ploy by the big M to sink one more ship as their own slips beneath the waves.
Lucky for us penguins are great swimmers, eh?
I wonder if this is related to that Microsoft employee who called up Loki about Civ CTP for Linux tech support...
Was that a hint of things to come? Certainly. Have those things fully arrived? Only time and Tux will tell...
Slashdot Mirror
Ack!
Nobody told me!
:)
Well, its the principle of the thing. A Linux client alongside a Windows and Mac client, in the same retail box, for what looks to be the biggest game of the year... it says something. Of course I'm happy it'll be available on-line, but I'd still like to see a bit more Linux action in the brick-and-mortar scene.
:)
Yes, we Linux users usually download everything anyhow, but I happen to be one of those poor saps still stuck on a 33.6K modem connection (geographically challenged) and just downloading minor things (like, say, the Linux kernel) can be painful. Heh, I really hope the NWN network code allows me to multi-play decently, too
What I'd like to know is why (once again) Linux is not being represented in the retail box. All the way up to release, the story I heard was "versions of the product for Linux, Macintosh, and Windows were going to be in the same retail box." That was one of the biggest reasons for my money going into this game (other than being a fan of Bioware's previous works like the Baldur's Gate series, the revolutionary approach to this game in particular, and of CRPG in general). Sure I'll still buy the game, but I dislike in the extreme having to wait "a short time" (which could mean a month) to play it on my OS of choice.
What happened, Bioware?
Did you look at the preview, man? Do those screenshots look even remotely like the Icewind Dale tileset using the Infinity Engine? No, they are glorious 3D with mucho sfx, which is still nice no matter what people say about 3D not making the game (I happen to agree). I don't think anyone can compare these two games, below literary scopes like plot and characterization. And since NWN isn't even out yet to defend itself...
... it's quite probably ground-breaking in both arenas.
Icewind Dale was more hack'n'slash than plot-driven anyhow, while Baldur's Gate et al were certainly better in storyline and made you think a few times. The best thing about the Baldur's Gate series was the continuity. Your character wasn't just a dice-spun sword-slinger, he or she actually gained personality along the way.
Reading through this preview and many other previews, I get a very positive impression of a highly extensible and flexible gaming system (and not one that has to be hacked for add-ons). As the previewer said, this isn't just another computer RPG, either single- or multi-player
No offense, but if I were you I wouldn't base my opinion of an entire gaming genre (a very widely-ranging genre at that) on one or two bad apples. Give the game a chance, its certainly got a great many more than you or I salivating over it (and, for a change, has great promise to actually deliver).
A thing like this leaves MS open to so much flak, it seems barely worth their effort.
Everyone knows most of what they said is just plain wrong, so let's explore why Microsoft even posted it.
The DoJ trial has reached an end-point, things aren't looking good for Microsoft's monopolistic future, and now this comes out.
Hmm, sounds like a ploy by the big M to sink one more ship as their own slips beneath the waves.
Lucky for us penguins are great swimmers, eh?
I wonder if this is related to that Microsoft employee who called up Loki about Civ CTP for Linux tech support...
Was that a hint of things to come? Certainly.
Have those things fully arrived? Only time and Tux will tell...