But those numbers include people that also download win/mac versions. IF they had an option to only select one license, Win/Mac/Linux, that would be an actual indicator.

I personally consider linux versions "pet peeves" that aren't commercially viable. If linux gaming were a good market, somebody would have moved in there.

The only reason Kickstarters are adding linux version is the negative PR backfire if they wouldn't, not because it actually is worth their time in sales.

There's going to be a Linux version of Unity3D and it wouldn't surprise me if there was some sort of deal there with them contributing back the code patches they use to make it work. AFAIK Unity doesn't usually come with source code.

Im actually surprised there would be any backfire if they didn't do a linux version (im surprised it was even offerred and to lesser extent for mac).I mean geeez, how many well known popular games out there have there been made for linux? And like you said, its not as if linux gaming is viable. Its more linux fans wanting a bit of the action.....
and there we thought it was 'free' ;)

That was years ago and Loki had a relatively small number of titles IIRC. iD software does release things for Linux fairly regularly, but I think that's just because John has this fixation on seeing how many platforms they can release games on.

I was sad about Loki going under because they made solid products.

Other than that, the problem is that there's a catch 22. Gamers don't use Linux as their primary OS typically because there aren't very many games and developers don't make very many games because the audience is small.

But, whenever something like this gets released on Linux it makes it that much easier to settle the question reliably.

Also, Loki went under what like 7 years ago? Linux has been growing in population during that time, but more importantly the GPUs available for full use on Linux have become much more common. Which was always a serious problem. No point in porting games if the GPUs suck balls or aren't supported.

But (that might just be my opinion from reading to much comments) I feel that those who want linux tend to be very vocal "No linux no money!". Which I consider rather unfair towards the devs. I generally get the feeling that minorities (and I do count DRM free only players into that) are a lot more vocal and aggressive in their demands from kickstarter devs.

Maybe I'm just old and grumpy, but the line "Pressure for them to do a proper linux version?..... " didn't really lift my mood.

That's part of the point of KS, developers get to pitch their product directly to the masses and the masses get to shout for what they want. And rather than pandering to publishers you're then pandering to the customers. Whom you have to pander to anyways as you'll need somebody to buy the game.

The Humble Bundles are proof that Linux users want games, and are even willing to pay for them more than Windows users do. Valve is working on converting its games to Linux and will have Steam running on Linux.

Simply put, a major reason for many people to use Windows is games. Linux users who want to play high profile games must either suffer doing so through Wine or pay for Windows and dual boot, which is both inconvenient and hurts their wallets. Many are willing to support developers who promise Linux support even if as gamers they don't like the particular game.

I'm a Windows user, but I feel that making games available on Linux is important. I like to have choice.

I never like these arguments: Look Steam is big, so everybody must like them, Look nobody offers games for Linux so they mustn't matter. This simply assumes that things never change. Otherwise you couldn't predict the future from the past.

So yes, Linux is a small market, but how small nobody knows. Your opinion that it's not worth the time in sales is just an opinion.

Following your line of arguments I just state that if negative PR was such a big threat than there is enough of a market for Linux to cater to. They promised it, so it must be worthwile.

Just to divert the topic into something more relevant: has anyone here played Wasteland before?

Of course! Great game for its time. I played it the first time in '98 and it did still deliver. Haven't booted it up years. Maybe I'll do another run if I can get it to run on my phone.

I would say smaller than small if one judges the Mac games market as small (if you count the ipoo.. sorry iphone games market separate). Linux gamers might want to pay more, but it doesnt mean its going to be a viable market further down the track (and its been around in its various flavours for a very longtime).

And yes i played Wasteland on the C64 many years ago. Still have it.Not sure the C64 still works hahah

You're turning into KingofGnG, man.

Keep the Fu*k OUT!

"We also have our first pass at a Wasteland 2 screen shot to share that is running inside the Unity engine. The process up till now has been in getting up to speed with Unity but also much discussion about look and feel. Our environment art director Koy Vanoteghem has written a nice piece below on our approach and process.

Releasing a screen shot this early in the process is a new concept for me as we typically want to hone in every element before we show it. But based on the requests and our desire for fan input, we are doing so to solicit feedback on the basic look. Please keep in mind that we have not put in the particle effects and post-processing which will have a dramatic effect on the scene, and this represents just one of the various environments for Wasteland 2 so expect to see other quite different locales. Also, this particular camera angle is on the low end of a range that the player can adjust upwards to a much more top-down view, for those who prefer that style during game play.

(...)"

source

For those who want to support Wasteland 2 even further:

Buy Choplifter HD of Steam. It is also from Exile! And 75% at the moment. Good old, hard, fun.