THQ evaluating Linux following Humble Bundle feedback
The Humble THQ Bundle may have raked in more money than almost another other Humble Bundle, but not everyone was thrilled with Humble's first AAA bundle. It was Windows-only, lacking the customary Mac and Linux versions, and also busted the 'no DRM' rule with Steamworks games. Pleasingly, counting the money isn't the only action THQ is taking after that, as the publisher's now looking at making Linux editions of games.
The Humble THQ Bundle may have raked in more money than almost another other Humble Bundle, but not everyone was thrilled with Humble's first AAA bundle. It was Windows-only, lacking the customary Mac and Linux versions, and also busted the 'no DRM' rule with Steamworks games. Pleasingly, counting the money isn't the only action THQ is taking after that, as the publisher's now looking at making Linux editions of games.
Asked on Twitter whether THQ could consider Linux releases, THQ president Jason Rubin responded (via PCGamesN), "Got the Linux message load and clear via #HumbleBundle feedback. Evaluating cost/benefit as we speak."
Of course, the numbers may well say it's not financially viable, especially considering games rely on a lot of middleware which may not necessarily be available on Linux. Still, it is nice that they're looking, and fingers crossed the numbers work out. It'll help that Steam is now expanding to Linux, ensuring a popular and solid store to sell Linux games.
Now, if we could get THQ and others to consider the DRM complaint too, wouldn't that be grand?
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replyAlice O'Connor posted a new article, THQ evaluating Linux following Humble Bundle feedback.
The Humble THQ Bundle may have raked in more money than almost another other Humble Bundle, but not everyone was thrilled with Humble's first AAA bundle. It was Windows-only, lacking the customary Mac and Linux versions, and also busted the 'no DRM' rule with Steamworks games. Pleasingly, counting the money isn't the only action THQ is taking after that, as the publisher's now looking at making Linux editions of games.-
I wonder if Valve is pushing this a little bit in the background....
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Linux people are interested in games.
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I would love to switch to Linux for my main machine but its simply too fragmented and no clear standard has emerged to reign in the distributions. That said It is still a great OS in its own right and definitely deserves to have native versions of most games.
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The hardcore open source people maybe not but there's a spectrum of Linux users and they're not all Richard Stallman. (Incidentally, I wonder if he even uses Linux or if he clings to Hurd.)
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He said he's against the DRM but he figures in the long run it's better than running Windows
http://news.slashdot.org/story/12/07/29/1958220/how-will-steam-on-gnulinux-affect-software-freedom
And he recently took a big shit on Ubuntu
http://linux.slashdot.org/story/12/12/07/1527225/rms-speaks-out-against-ubuntu
But he probably uses Linux just because it's... working-
The guy is just so stubborn I can totally see him avoiding Linux. He still hasn't given up the naming crusade he's so obviously lost.
Dude certainly is a character though.
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unfortunetly I agree. While it would be great for THQ to support Linux like that, I cant see it helping them out of their current situation. To be honest if they were going to look at support either of those platforms I would have thought Mac would have the bigger user base, therefore more potential customers?
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okay first of all, he didn't say they were looking into linux release for anything. His twitter reply probably means "please stop talking to me, but I am not going to say no, because that sounds bad"
Second of all, THQ, spend your money wisely. Do not waste in on Linux ports because you are this || close to going out of business. You have employees and share holders, don't blow it for them.-
There is a bit more information here: http://www.polygon.com/2012/12/16/3773718/thq-weighing-costs-and-benefits-of-linux-for-upcoming-releases
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Uhh, THQ thinking they may be able to near completely corner a gaming market? They are in desperate times, from what I've heard.
