<<
... Not just the open source project that pretty-much-works on the
developer's system
... modifying their distributions to a breaking point while they try to
get a game working
... make their packages 100% usable on a generic Ubuntu installation
>>
The real problem here is Linux: lack of standards and extensive
customizations within the many distributions make it difficult to
package and support software applications that install easily and just
work (as with Windows). Doing something for Ubuntu would not address
the real problem, but perhaps, if it gets some critical mass, it could
set some standards that other distros could follow (?). Good luck.
Stefan Potyra wrote:
Hi,
maybe someone can answer these questions better than me. Setting reply-to to
Matthew Craig, as he's not subscribed.
Cheers,
Stefan.
Mr. Potyra, Thank you for your response. Here is my idea.
Right now, I believe there is a strong desire for Linux-supported
games. Not just the open source project that pretty-much-works on the
developer's system... I am talking about commercial-grade, 100% tested,
working games which are supported by paid professionals.
In an effort to get more of these games recognized and publicized and
sold, we have started LinuxGamingWorld.com to advocate these game
titles and encourage game publishers to release titles onto Linux. One
article we published recently, Streaming
Software on Linux, got me thinking about different distribution
channels available. It also got me thinking about distro-supported
distribution channels, because a problem all Linux gamers have is
modifying their distributions to a breaking point while they try to get
a game working.
My thoughts came to wondering this: Can these game demos be distributed
by the distro's themselves in order to verify, or certify, the title's
functionality on the specific version
of the specific distribution?
Can an end user type, "apt-get NewGameName", to test out a commercial
game demo?
This brought me to the Ubuntu IRC channels, because Ubuntu is the
distro-of-choice-for-the-masses right now. After chatting with some
interesting people, I was sent to your website eventually, with a more
solidified plan....
How can we work together in getting
commercial game developers to package their game demos, such that it
can be distributed by the official (or semi-official, or non-official)
Ubuntu package channels? What I hope to present to game developers is
a series of steps which they can follow to make their packages 100%
usable on a generic Ubuntu installation.
There are a number of questions that may or may not be problems, but I
hope we can work together to solve. The first is the size of the files
and the hosting considerations. Some of these demos are large, and is
there a concern about distributing 50-200 MBs of files from the Ubuntu
servers? The second question, more for the developers, is what
modifications do they need to made to their code in order to make it
100% installable on, say, Ubuntu v6.10 ? The last question is where
can these be listed, in terms of official, semi-official (universe,
metaverse), or non-official distribution channels. Obviously, this
effort is to make the releases as official as possible.
It is clear what benefits the developers will gain from this effort:
increased exposure and free distribution costs. However, the Ubuntu
distribution stands to gain, as well. LinuxGamingWorld.com (and others
will surely follow) can then say, "to demo this game on Ubuntu, just
type apt-get NewGameName from your command prompt!", on each supported
game title review. Ubuntu would become even more equated with
home-user entertainment and ease-of-use. I really think it is worth
putting the effort into making these commercial games easily available.
(What do I get out of this? Nothing! I am trying to help out the
Linux gaming scene as best as I can, through the LGW website. I think
it is important to preserve a gaming platform where users will
continue to have rights to play games in they way they want -- not the
way the hardware manufacturer says, ala Vista and consoles. In fact,
our site has not made one dollar yet from any source. By the way, if
you have any pull with the official Ubuntu Gaming Forum, then we could
really use a mention in one of those stickies. Forum mods run a
different gaming site and don't seem keen on giving us exposure.)
Very much looking forward to hearing back from you, and I feel we can
really make a difference with the Linux gaming community on this one.
Best regards.
--
Matthew Craig
Linux Gaming World: Bringing Linux Games and Independent Developers
Together
On 1/12/07, Stefan Potyra <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi
Matthew,
Am Freitag 12 Januar 2007 01:14 schrieb Matthew Craig:
> Greetings hard working people.
>
> I am writing to find out if these email addresses are still
applicable.
yep, though I must admit that I don't have that much time for games
currently
(since I'm writing my thesis atm.).
> I
> have some ideas that I would like to run past the team members,
and I would
> appreciate a reply just so I know the addresses work. To
introduce myself,
> I am the editor of a new Linux gaming website that promotes the
commercial
> Linux gaming scene, LinuxGamingWorld.com
>
> Thanks for your response, and I hope we will be working together
soon.
> Best regards.
Cheers,
Stefan aka sistpoty.
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