Linux players, do you even want a NoSteam binary?

[radcapricorn]

Seeing as there's a NoSteam exe for Windows users, and taking this mindset into account, Linux players, please explicitly express your desire (or lack thereof) for the NoSteam binary. I've no idea if this is going to influence the developers' decisionmaking in any way, but at least there won't be a "nobody asked for this" like it happened with Rebirth.

[z13l5ch31b3]

Who wouldn't (no matter which platform)? It's available here when it's ready. Hopefully you linux gamers get one, too.

[radcapricorn]

Who wouldn't (no matter which platform)?

Well, that's exactly my view as well, but as you can see from the conversation with CBJ that I linked above, he seems to think otherwise. For reasons.

[z13l5ch31b3]

Well, that's exactly my view as well, but as you can see from the conversation with CBJ that I linked above, he seems to think otherwise. For reasons.

Each different build requires extra work, and it requires that work every time a new version is created. Why would be do that if nobody has made us aware that they would even use it?

So, CBJ clearly said that there's a bunch of work for each release. When theres a bit of time (nowadays its very hectic because of 3.0 ..) , maybe the Devs make a No-Steam-Linux executable for each main release (3.0, 4.0, 5.0) but who knows. If I were you, I would just keep it in mind. But you for yourself have to realize, too, that there will be no efforts for a dozen people when the coding time takes 2 weeks for each release. Stay tuned and hope the best (and do a lot of commercial in the linux scene).

Anyway, if its coming or not, enjoy the show


sry 4 mispelling and grammar

[radcapricorn]

I can read, thank you very much. I've also quite clearly stated what this poll is for.

[tomchk]

I hope you get the support you need! It's always tough when teams are so small and so busy. :/

[Helken Mootyflops]

I express my desire for this. I will soon be unable to game on windows.

Many thanks, egosoft.

[steve_v]

Linux players, please explicitly express your desire (or lack thereof) for the NoSteam binary.

I don't use steam, so I don't care about a nosteam binary. What I do want is access to the betas without steam - i.e. on GOG..

[CBJ]

I don't use steam, so I don't care about a nosteam binary. What I do want is access to the betas without steam - i.e. on GOG..

That's something you will have to take up with GOG. Steam provide automated systems to upload Beta versions for both Windows and Linux, but for GOG there is no Galaxy client for Linux and hence no means for us to upload Beta versions using the same automated systems. Manually submitting Beta Linux versions to GOG and waiting for them to make them available is not a viable option for us, so the only way this is going to get solved is if they provide a Galaxy client, and the associated automated systems, for Linux.

[steve_v]

That's something you will have to take up with GOG.

I have no particular attachment to GOG, or any other distribution platform for that matter. I'm fine with anything you like, so long as it isn't steam and it doesn't act as DRM.

Steam provide automated systems to upload Beta versions for both Windows and Linux

So the translation is: "We're too lazy or too cheap to upload stuff ourselves, so use steam or GTFO." I see.

[Alan Phipps]

@ steve_v: That was rude and quite uncalled for. Either be more respectful to others on the forums or find something else to do.

Steam and GOG are specialist software distribution platforms who (are supposed to) provide a comprehensive service for which they are paid in some way from the developers' incomes. Why would a developer want or need to do something that one of their specialist service providers fails to do?

[Shagrath912]

I personally don't think that "They're too lazy or too cheap to [...]" they only use their time effectively.

As I don't use Linux at all and as I don't have a Problem with using Steam I appreciate that they are using their time for developing the base game further rather than using it to manually uploading things to a platform for servicing a minority of people whereas the can use their time to service a majority of people with chasing bugs and improve the game.

We do not know what time and effort is needed to upload something manually to GOG.

I assume that they are always in the situation that they have to decide what to do with their time as this is most precious. And I would not assume further that they don’t care, it's just a result of a decision they have to make that they cannot support every constellation of PC configuration, Use cases of every customer to 100%. You have to make compromises.

That's my personal thoughts, I no offence to you.

[steve_v]

Steam and GOG are specialist software distribution platforms who (are supposed to) provide a comprehensive sevice for which they are paid in some way from the developers' incomes. Why would a developer want or need to do something that one of their specialist service providers fails to do?

Because in order to obtain and keep the paying customers who provide that income in the first place, the first consideration is making sure those customers are happy with the products and services you provide?
Who one subcontracts to provide downloads is pretty well irrelevant for the end-user, and it is the end-user who pays the bills.

Speaking for this customer, after the disappointment that was X Rebirth the goodwill Egosoft generated with X1-3 is wearing rather thin. If X4 doesn't shape up quick-smart I'll certainly not be inclined to buy anything else on offer.
Excluding me from the latest fixes on account of which third-party store I bought the game from is not helping matters at all.

[Tamina]

[...]Excluding me from the latest fixes on account of which third-party store I bought the game from is not helping matters at all.

It's a Beta version. It's not fixing but breaking stuff. Trust me, you don't want to play Beta 1 currently, especially on Linux. Everyone gets the fixes and additions, eventually.

[geronimo3]

[...]Excluding me from the latest fixes on account of which third-party store I bought the game from is not helping matters at all.

It's a Beta version. It's not fixing but breaking stuff. Trust me, you don't want to play Beta 1 currently, especially on Linux. Everyone gets the fixes and additions, eventually.

i can confirm this, i have elected to play 3.0b1 but in this version some strange things happens. 2.6 was much more stable and understandable for me. Although i´am thanksfull for the ongoing development of X4 and the better visuals and sounds. For playing 3.0b1 you must be a real enthusiast and very fault tolerant, its a beta.

[Rastuasi]

Steve, the Linux beta is broken for many currently. Also steam > GoG, as both are DRM, just that steam doesn't have the outward api malware calls that GoG does.

I voted for "Don't Care" because I don't use shortcuts as I don't use a desktop to put them.

[steve_v]

steam doesn't have the outward api malware calls that GoG does.

You keep claiming this about GOG, yet you still have not provided a single shred of evidence.
Which "outward API" would this be then? What calls? Do you even understand what an API is? It doesn't sound like it to me.

I just fired up the GOG release of X4, through an SSL-intercepting transparent proxy. Zero network traffic. Then I wiresharked it in an isolated network namespace to double check - again, nothing.
Checking the linking of the executable shows no suspicious libraries being loaded (besides the aforementioned kerberos & ssh libs common to all releases).
Loading the game in strace shows no file access outside the expected places (system libraries, game root, save directory).
I call BS. Kindly post your proof or stop making misleading claims.

The same goes for DRM. My GOG games are, without exception, entirely playable with no internet connection, from any media, on any machine, with no authentication or licence keys whatsoever. Perhaps you are are misunderstanding the meaning of the DRM acronym? I can't see any other way your claim could make sense.

[radcapricorn]

Guys, can you please avoid discussing GoG, DRM and "religious" issues in this thread? This is here to collect opinions on whether the NoSteam executable for Linux Steam builds is actually desired by the community.

[wwdragon]

I'll be switching to linux as win7 is no longer supported.... though with this whole no galaxy for linux thing, I might have to keep a dual boot setup in the meantime.

I wish I could just use gog for this.

[eagledelta]

I would love to have a Linux No Steam executable. It would cost $50+ USD to get the GOG version and there are a few mods out there that I want to try on separate saves that don't play well with other mods on my main save(s). Additionally, with the 4.0 beta out there, some mods only work with the beta and others haven't been tested/updated at all, so an easy way to separate these would be nice.

Also, be great for maintaining mods without having to much with my live game to test mod changes.