It's true the Linux userbase isn't huge yet, although it looks to be growing. Also, wouldn't some of those sale numbers be inaccurate due to some people buying games before they have released on Linux and using Steamplay?Problem is that while we could/want to do it - linux userbase is really, really, really tiny. Almost less than 1% of sales come from Linux-users. It makes it very hard to justify ports. But we haven't made a decision yet.
Why aren't there more of you?
/shams
It's true the Linux userbase isn't huge yet, although it looks to be growing. Also, wouldn't some of those sale numbers be inaccurate due to some people buying games before they have released on Linux and using Steamplay?
Personally think it'd be a great game to have on Linux. For one just to me, it looks like fun. Also, there aren't very many games of this genre available on Linux currently. Having more games and more diverse genres (other than fps and platformers) could help the Linux userbase, as well as being a fairly unique game for this platform currently.
In terms of technical issues, dosen't the move to Unity 4 at least take a chunk out of the time required to get the game working? I know it's an extra platform that you'll need to support and maintain though.
You are only considering the technical costs - there are many, many other costs involved with prepping and deploying a game for an additional platform. Additionally it also means that we'll be obliged to keep supporting the platform for future updates. So whenever we patch the game, add content or do anything we have to make sure it properly tested. Adding a 3rd platform increases costs by almost a third.
Let's say for a moment the numbers are inaccurate - let's be generous and say the actual figure is double that we're seeing -we'd STILL be hard pressed to add linux when given the option to add other content/gameplay to the game.
I'm still going to try to make it happen - but now you might understand why it's not a top priority in the long list of exciting and fun stuff to for CIM
/shams
Haven’t made a decision? I thought you were planning a Linux version.
Ok, I understand Linux market is smaller than Windows or Mac OS X, but you made a Mac OS X port and if you've seen some Humble Indie Bundle sales, you might noticed Linux payments are always the highest. As to the number of sales, it differs. Windows always wins and Linux and Mac seems to be very much equal since sometimes Linux wins, sometimes Mac OS X wins. The number of users does not necessarily correlate with the number of gamers.
I will add one big argument. If Linux desktop user base is not large enough (even though there even could be more gamers than on Mac OS X), what about Linux based Valve gaming console? Also, Alienware recently started selling Linux gaming computers with Ubuntu and Steam preinstalled. Do you really want to miss that oportunity?
Please, I am asking you to make a Linux port, because I love your game and I love my platform. It would be really a shame not to make a Linux version. I can understand your concerns, but I expect sells from the Linux version would return much more than what it would cost you to make a port. Also, you would partially do a charity job (not talking about money), since by porting the game and making it available on Steam, you would give the signal to other developers you are not afraid of supporting a new platform. That may not seem important for you, but it is for most Linux gamers. By making a Linux port I suspect even some people not interested in the game would purchase it, just because it is available for Linux. It would be a great advertisement for you in the Linux community and you can bet I would not only purchase it, but even write about it in a positive way on Google+ and on my blog.
Thank you very much for telling us the news. I hope that you will reconsider our wish, count in Valve's gaming console and the great things Linux had experienced in the last year.
Problem is that while we could/want to do it - linux userbase is really, really, really tiny. Almost less than 1% of sales come from Linux-users.
How do you know that? How do you know that I am or am not a Linux User (for the record I am, but I use Windows exclusively for gaming).
Through steam we get reports on users/platforms. The reports are very accurate.
Don't you only get the reports of what users bought your game - meaning only the amount of users that bought the game from Windows/Linux/Mac? If that is so and the game is available only on Windows and Mac, Linux can't be expected to be much visible in the charts. If purchasing CiM2 from a Linux Steam client would persuade you to create a Linux port in a reasonable time, then I would be buying one for sure
AMD video drivers still suck. I rather boot up Windows if I want to play. I honestly would be glad if the developers dont spend their time on a Linux port, but on improving/expanding the game.Why aren't there more of you?
The data is not wrong, you my friend are in a very, very small but vocal minority :/
I think the major issue here being that there aren't many games for Linux, that's why most Linux users have a windows install to game.. So, nobody creates games for Linux because there aren't any Linux gamers, and there aren't many Linux gamers because there are no games.. See the vicious cycle here?
We also get reports on which platforms are getting played. Steam has a very accurate way of determining which OS is the most prevalent one played with.
If you published for Linux I would install the Steam Linux client and then install CIM for Linux. You don't so I don't (and I don't have any interest in playing Half-Life or Counter-Strike or whatever FPS games are available for Steam Linux).