UT 2003 Client For Linux?

Thomas A. Anderson writes "Although not officially supported, there is a very interesting post here from Mark Rein (VP of Marketing for Epic Games) that says UT 2003 client *already* runs on linux, and that it *might* be released close after the windows client. Let's all support Epic on this... Background: Back in April, on an IRC chat, Mark Rein stated that a linux server will happen, but the chance of linux and mac clients were a qualified "likely". He stated something similar in a chat in August. All the chat logs are interesting reads..."

Cutting Edge

[digitaltroglodyte]

Funny how linux on the desktop was supposed to be a dead horse? Way to go Epic, put me down for a copy of UT2003! Check's on the way.

Digit

Now all we need...

[dwcasey]

Is to make sure we have driver support for our ATI 9700's so that we can actually play it.

2 bits. Shave and a haircut....

[Rahga]

Well, I am definitely looking forward to getting my hands on UT 2k3, if only to see how far I can mod it.... However, I fear that it will be completely overshadowed by Battlefield 1942 sales (which will go hand in hand with sales for new video cards to handle the hardware T&L requirements). Not that it's a bad thing, because Battlefield may wind up being a far superior game in most aspects.

This news about the Linux client, however, is really surprising. Lately, I've heard much more about centering development around DirectX in order to save on a humongous chunck of development time for the X-Box on the Unreal Engine as a whole. Something along the lines of "Why bother with OpenGL, when DirectX does everything we need and more" seems very familiar to me....

Re:why wait?

[Repugnant_Shit]

I'd like a Linux-only CD with the option of downloading a Windows client too. That way I can to go Electronics Boutique and buy Linux software. Wouldn't it be better for it to count as a Linux sale?

I'm not bitching, just curious:

[Ieshan]

Will the Linux version cost less because they're not offering tech support with it. or will it just be community-support-based, like every other product? And, if it is going to be community based, are they going to "provide the space"?

I can understand why no tech support - every user has 1239880198231 different configurations. But it seems that if they're not going to be providing a valuable source of information (just because you're a geek doesn't mean you've never called tech support, everyone has), they ought to do two things: A) Establish a community space for the Linux Gamers on their site to allow questions that pertain to the Linux Version(s) to be answered and/or B) provide source for some pieces of the program.

Since most people use these types of games to play online anyway, if they have a secure system for validating keys (see battle.net), they shouldn't have to worry about open-sourcing parts of (or the entire) client.

Re:why wait?

[BMonger]

There are two groups that learn about your OS preference. By purchasing a non-Windows version of a game the publisher realizes that somebody has bought this and is using it. To me, this is something that the publisher could gather when you create and connect to the servers possibly. So the publisher might have this information regardless of the version that you buy.

The other group that recieves this information is the store you purchase it from. Lets just say you're buying from EB. Initially they order 300 copies of Unreal for Windows and 3 of Unreal for Linux. All the copies for both platforms may very well sell. But they are only going to reorder for the Windows platform most likely. Most of their employees probably won't know that they sell the Linux version either. Then you're stuck buying the Windows version because you yourself might not even know that they sell the Linux version. If you know a Linux version is available you should have them order it for you. The downside to that is that you have to wait but it is one more sale for the Linux version. If they won't order you the Linux version order it online. Don't just settle for the Windows version. Unless it's an emergency LAN party situation. Then you can of course. :)

At least you have a shelvable version. I went to EB and asked if they had any Mac software and almost got laughed out of the store. Hopefully that will all change in a few years.

Re:Now all we need...

[fwankypoo]

ATI released just recently Linux drivers for Radeon 8500 which was released over a year ago.

This is incorrect. This comes up every time someone mentions ATI cards ... ATI does not release *nix drivers for their products. What they do do is release the specs for their hardware so that a developer who chooses to do so can write a driver for the card, under any OS.

This is both good and bad, although I think the good outwieghs the bad. The good is that the linux driver will be open sourced (hopefully). This means that the card can potentially be improved un in software long after it has ceased to be viable in the retail market.

On the other hand, ATi does not and will not support linux drivers for their cards. If you want help, you have to go straight to the developer, who is most likely a volunteer with other things to do. It also means that there is a delay between the release of a card and the drivers for it because any developer has to read through the docs and understand them before he/she can even begin work on the driver.

That said, I prefer the ATI policy of "release the specs so anyone can write a driver" over NVidia's "we'll only provide drivers for MSWindows/Linux/Mac(maybe)" where those using BSD or any other OS are SOL.