Neverwinter Nights Update 169
nyquil superstar writes "Just thought everyone might like to know, there are a whole bunch of updates at Bioware's NWN Linux Client Page. Includes goodies like the timing of future releases and betas, how to install the Linux client and future(!) expansions, and updates on the movies and sound issues. The quick version: sound is in and they will release a Linux client before they integrate a movie player. Oh, and you'll need to download the game's resource data or use a Windows install, the CD is only good for the reg. key and Windows install. Good news though, because it sounds like it's getting close."
Re:Why do they do the port? (Score:5, Informative)
Probably not. However, it appears Bioware are pressing ahead (and doing it inhouse) because they are a games company that wants to be around in the long run, and stay one step ahead of its competitors. Writing portable code isn't something that comes as second nature to most Windows coders, least of all games coders, but they clearly think (correctly) that Linux is going to be a force in the long run on the desktop.
By teaching themselves the ins and outs of porting games, they've learned (the hard way it seems) that portability has to be a concern from the beginning. Using SDL isn't hard, but it makes porting so much easier it's untrue. Make sure any 3rd party engines you use will run on other platforms or are easily made portable. And so on.
I think it's telling they outsourced the porting of the Mac client, but kept the Linux port in house. They could have easily hired LGP for instance to port it, or done what was done for Unreal Tournament and get a freelancer in, but they didn't. That makes me think they value the experience and want to keep it internal to the company. Assuming BioWare stick around, I'd expect to see more Linux ports in future.
.cab extractor for linux (Score:3, Informative)
wrong (Score:1, Informative)
We are located in Edmonton, Alberta Canada - offering the benefit of lower cost of living in a clean, un-crowded environment. We offer competitive salaries and full medical benefits. All applicants must be willing to relocate to Edmonton.
Linux can game just fine (Score:4, Informative)
I think you're jumping to the wrong conclusion there. Linux has a smaller market share then Windows, so when a game company has $X in resources and that will only cover development for one platform, the often focus on the one with the biggest potential for sales - Windows simply because there are more people with it.
Linux is gaining share, and I'm starting to see a shelf in my local computer store for Linux games. People start buying more of them, it will become more profitable to make them, and more will come out.
It's market factors, not any inherent limitation in the OS.
Cheers,
=Blue(23)
Re:Closer, but still vaporware *sigh* (Score:1, Informative)
>come out for NWN. I want the added people out there,
>scripting modules, writing content and playing the game.
Yeah, except the toolkit will NOT be released for Linux, just the game itself, so Linux people will most likely not contribute a whole lot to the NWN content community.
At last (Score:5, Informative)
It's been interesting that they have been watching the Linux threads a bit, and our input has been helping. Eg, when they were talking about mouse issues, we informed them that it is up to the distribution/xfree configuration to set up a mouse properly, and they could safely ignore that within NWN.
I hope from here that Bioware development for Linux will grow to work more hand in hand with the willing and eager Linux community, rather than the little information they previously gave. A progression from silence to this latest release has been clear. Perhaps if they decide to port the toolset too they will be even more open and we'll be able to help them quicker!
Either way, I can't wait to play this game under Linux.
And for those who don't know - they previously anounced that Bink (movies) and Miles (sound) were available for Linux when they thought they weren't. They later discovered there was no Bink for Linux, and that is why movies don't work.
Mac (Score:4, Informative)
I'm a little disappointed but it will be nice to finally be able to play the game.
Re:.cab extractor for linux (Score:5, Informative)
Unfortunately the normal cab extractor does not work. That is meant for "regular" windows .cabs and it seems that Epic have their own .cab format. For reference, go read Happypenguin's [happypenguin.org] current NWN comments.
Re:Why do they do the port? (Score:3, Informative)
http://nwn.bioware.com/downloads/movies.html
It was only the Mac Toolset that got sent to a porting house (supposedly The Omni Group). But the original application was created in Borland's RAD environment and TOG estimated a year to port it.
Macsoft, Bioware's publisher for the Mac version, said this was longer than they were prepared to invest in a port of the toolset and canned it.
Lots of drama and politics involved. Very disappointing.
If you are a Mac user and want to read more check out Bioware's Mac updates page:
http://nwn.bioware.com/about/macversion.html
Re:Also to ported to gnu/hurd (Score:3, Informative)
Let me dispel a couple things... (Score:3, Informative)
2) The port was not done by some intern. Not only do we not hire interns at Bioware, but the guy doing it is quite a competent programmer. Unfortunately, he was also the victim of having a lot on his plate from being such a good programmer.
3) Only the toolset was sent to an outside company to port it. Mac development is otherwise done in house. It's too bad about the toolset. It really is quite good.
4) I'm sure the client will work fine when we release it. I don't think that Bioware is noticed for our shoddy products. This is a big game. We had to delay it a bunch when we released the windows version. Quality takes time.
I'm not really in the habit of defending the company I work for from Anonymous Trol^H^H^H^HCowards, but you really don't know what you're talking about.
Re:Gamers.. (Score:3, Informative)
Though a little unpopular with the politial types, winex [transgaming.com] really works. I'm running SuSE Linux and currently have the following (windows) games installed:
- Diablo II
- Warcraft II
- Starcraft
- Deus Ex
- Icewind Dale
Of course, that's not counting native Linux games like UT, Quake 3, Tribes 2, Ultima 7, Heretic II..It may take a little more tweaking and technical know how to be a Linux gamer, but it comes with the territory.