Seems like we are in the same discussion just two months later: We had the same point for "Victor Vran". And I write it here again: The difference is simple. We are talking about a mandatory client, that is regarding the game not so mandatory for multipleyer. And what is about the Linux-version? This must be a bad joke: The client is then needed for playing the game in multiplayer-mode also there or better: It won't be released until Galaxy is available for Linux? Bad, very bad at all. For now the Linux-version for "Victor Vran" is released, good. But there are more games from Kalypso available for Linux, but not here on GOG. Why? Composing the theory based on what is to be read in here: Because of the so-called mandatory client missing there. What are the next steps? A so-called OFFLINE-mode like Steam and no more independent installers?

It does look good. But from what I've read it's simplistic with Kalyso's intention being to pad it out into something more formidable through DLC. But the suggestion here is that unlike the Tropico games which have enough meat left on the bone even without DLC, this game is a little bit too undernourished as it is.

So I guess it's 'wait for a more complete version in a sale' time again.
Taking one small market share (Mac and Linux) and placing it inside another small market share (GOG) does not the best way to make a worthwhile profit.

I think what some people fail to understand about multiplayer is that it's up to the devs to either write their own matchmaking service or utilize an existing service. You don't get matchmaking services for free when developing games. It's complicated enough developing the multiplayer code itself.

In my opinion, most devs, that are not huge like Blizzard and such, are going to go for the external matchmaking services. I completely agree with the decision. By definition of being external, it's of course going to utilize some software not included in the game by the devs, which means running an external program before game startup or implementing an API within the game for external matchmaking service.

It has nothing to do with enforced DRM or whatever it is you are calling it. It's all about Devs allocating resources and spending their development money towards the game as efficiently as possible. Why waste time and a lot of money developing your own matchmaking service, when perfectly good and popular ones exist.

Mandatory client for online multiplayer or mandatory account for online multiplayer... same difference, only difference here is a few files on a hard-drive. When either one ends, the online multiplayer ends. Clients are not the enemy here, you probably use different forms of clients everyday without even thinking about it. GOG does it even better because you can grab your standalone installer, keep it as a backup, install Galaxy and only launch it when playing online. For the the 99% of the time you can just launch the game only. These types of games are usually played the most in skirmish mode anyway.

Furthermore ever since Galaxy was announced GOG stated it would be optional UNLESS you wanted online features. They never lied about that... watch the very first announcement video. Nobody has to play online multiplayer, you play it by choice.

I thought I read that the reason was because GOG doesn't have a contract with who ported the game to Linux? I doubt it's because of Galaxy. Either way, I love Linux... but lets be honest. It not ready when it comes to gaming. Simple as that. Might be someday, but again by choice you use Linux as your only OS... then by choice you have limited yourself to the limits of that platform.

Looking at this:
http://www.gog.com/games##sort=bestselling&devpub=kalypso_media_digital&page=1

Doesn't look like any of there games are on Linux here on GOG...

Exactly... +1

From my point of view Linux is very good regarding games. Only because most developers or publishers rely on a proprietary interface (DirectX) makes the system not worse. I love playing games using LInux and removed also every Windows-version from my systems and to be honest: There is no single day with regret since that day for more about five years now. Do you have perhabs some more information about the missing contract? For Tropico there is no problem: Part 3 and 4 working very good using Wine. But Dungeons 2 has its own port and now also this game. If the libraries for Galaxy are optional, good. But I doubt this for now because there is no client available for Linux, so I could have a concrete view on the software. And if this game relies on this for multiplayer there has to be also some kind of Galaxy installed on the system! This can't be good at all, even the libraries are linked only dynamic and can be removed, which therefore disables the multiplayer-feature of course.

I'd say the issue here is that GOG is the one offering that matchmaking now, and so far we've seen no indication that they are pushing for LAN/Direct Connect.

Now you can say that's up to the devs to decide, but I beg to differ when it's GOG that's designing and pushing devs to use THEIR matchmaking. Because if you compare service based multiplayer matchmaking with or without LAN/Direct connect, the latter is very clearly the most 'drm-free' version of doing it. If not by the mystical undefined definition then at least in spirit.

As some people like to say. 'I consider DRM-Free when I can sit in my bunker post nuclear holocaust without internet, start up my computer and install/play my game, no strings attached, and have the whole experience'.

With Lan/Direct connect you'd keep full functionality, without you lost your multiplayer entirely.

And if GOG isn't going to push for that, who is? If the bastion of DRM-Free is pushing a growing service based multiplayer service on the games themselves, then between Steamworks and GOG matchmaking why would any developer bother designing LAN/Direct connect into their game?

I agree that at the minimum there should be a simple connect to this IP sort of mechanism, but you never know how it's implemented. Are they using servers or is the host machine a player PC.

I might be wrong actually, might be thinking of another game that never made it here for Linux. Looks like they ported the game to Linux. I would imagine though they used Steams libraries for Linux and like all devs think they can only be use with Steam. That's probably more likely than Galaxy holding up a Linux release.

But can't say for sure... it could be multiple reasons.

The Steam-argument is not the best because even the libraries are Open-Source. ;-) So the developers for "Age of Wonders 3" have in fact no real arguments. But as you've said: Multiple reasons!

You assume they would develop it without Steamworks and the Galaxy API anyway. The truth is that LAN/Direct connection is just not as popular anymore in gaming. That not to say there aren't people who want that sort if thing, just that for the amount of people that do it's not really worth wasting resources to do. GOG also already has a hard time getting publishers with the DRM free criteria... adding yet another layer would only make that worse. In fact we could make an argument that the recent rise of new publishers and games really only started happening after Galaxy and the success of the Witcher 3.

It's like split screen multiplayer, with the rise of the internet and online multiplayer... that pretty much died out too. Some games still include it sure, but most do not. If a company feels something is not worth the effort to develop, then they won't do it. Some games however still include it out of history of past game, for instance Halo.

Yea as I said what they "think"... I haven't looked into it enough to know either way. ;)

And since the beggining it was advertised that you'll be forced to use galaxy if you want multiplayer features in certain games. Here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=37&v=nyYW9AOWh-8 damn galaxy announcement trailer. *sigh*

If the goal of any company is to stay small, then your not running your business right. Business 101. Companies that fail to adapt and grow usually don't stay relevant long.

Ah and if on the way of growth some principles are left behind this is okay? Interesting arguments. :-)

Definition for mandatory or optional seems to fail within here, correct? Freedom of choice, nice wording and it sounds very good. But lets be honest: There is an API implemented and the Galaxy-client is no longer optional and must be installed just for some parts or some parts are delivered within the installation. So far, so good, so much principles lost. I'm not waiting until GOG is the new Steam!

its stated clearly - you want online features like multi or achivements? You must use Galaxy. You're happy with singpleplayer game? You're not forced to use galaxy. THATS your choice. It's that simple. So stop whining about things that was obvious from the beginning because its not even funny.