Hey there Linux gamers. Wishing xmas was here already? We’ve decided we’re also tired of waiting so we’re giving away a copy of Cold War to one of our lucky Facebook fans.
Archive for the ‘Community’ Category
Cold War Giveaway
Monday, November 19th, 2012
Greetings Fellow Linux Gamers
Saturday, February 4th, 2012Firstly, I absolutely have to thank Michael for all the years of hard work he’s put into making Linux Game Publishing what it is today. Without Michael’s years of dedication so much of what is Linux Gaming as we know it today simply wouldn’t exist. It’s on his shoulders that I find myself standing, far from attempting to fill those shoes.
As Michael mentioned, I’ve been involved in Linux gaming for many many years, sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly. Games have always been a passion of mine and working on and with them possibly more so. I’m so excited to be at the helm of a company that I’ve loved for so very long and a company whose future I’m certain is bright.
I’ve delayed posting this greeting message for a few days, because one of the most common remarks I have noticed since Michael and I began discussing this transition is that LGP hasn’t given enough feedback to the community. I wanted to see the responses to Michael’s resignation and of course the announcement of my arrival so that I can answer questions I saw being posted on various forums, news sites and this very blog.
I have great plans for Linux Game Publishing. Since some of them coincide with queries that people have posed either directly to me in our IRC channel or in comments online, I will respond to them now:-
Regarding Michael: He is not disappearing completely, but will be working with me for some time in an advisory capacity – his knowledge and experience in the Linux gaming world is unparalleled as I’m sure you’d all agree. As well as working with me, Michael will occasionally be contributing to new and old titles. Linux games are still a huge passion of his and I don’t think we’d be able to keep him away from the code, even if we were crazy enough to want to ;)
Digital distribution channels: This medium certainly has a strong future and is only going to grow. I personally have accounts at online stores such as Steam, GOG, Desura, Gamer’s Gate, Gameolith and others. Expanding digital distribution is definitely a priority for me. I have already had tentative discussions, begun setting up and getting ready to distribute through a few big names in Linux digital distribution.
Our current shipping of physical CDs and DVDs: We’ve admittedly had problems with this and it’s something I’ve been working on in the background since Michael and I started having discussions around his handover. Once our new distribution channels are in place, those of you that have seen delays in delivery shouldn’t ever experience that again.
We’re going through a period of transition at the moment and as much as I’d love everything to happen “right now”, there’s a lot of work to be done. I’m very aware that there are unhappy people out there – you are my primary focus right now. Linux Game Publishing is a great company, with massive potential and I’m truly excited to be a part of its history in the making.
As for new games: Yes, we have some in the pipeline! With all that has happened, there have obviously been delays. We have two announced titles that everyone is aware of, namely Disciples 2: Dark Prophecy and Bandits: Phoenix Rising. I’m happy to say that there will be an announcement regarding one of them soon. There are also other unannounced titles we’re working on and I’m really looking forward to reaching the point where we can announce those to you.
LGP has a strong team of great programmers, that have stood with Michael and worked with him through the years. Some have been around for a while and we also have some new faces. I am incredibly grateful to our team for the hard work that they have put in, contributing towards what we currently have and will be producing going forward.
Keep a keen eye on us here at LGP, you won’t be disappointed ;)
Clive Crous
CEO – Linux Game Publishing
LGP History pt 4: The end of the ride, but not the end of the company
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012It has been 12 years since I started Tux Games, and a little less since I started LGP.
These last 12 years have been, to coin a phrase, “interesting”. There have been highs and lows, great times and bad times. But always fun.
The last year or so, LGP has been quiet, too quiet some have said, and they would be right. I will hold my hand up and say, ‘My bad’.
You see, 10 years of working 7 days a week had taken its toll. You can’t continue on a high energy rampage for 10 years without something breaking, and in the end I burned out. I started letting things slip, and I started to neglect the companies.
I take no blame for this, it was bound to happen, as anyone knows when they work so hard they neglect social life, sleep, proper eating habits, the outcome is inevitable. I have put in a massive effort into Linux gaming, an average of 60-80 hours a week for 10 years and an investment that totals close to half a million pounds out of my own pocket, so I consider blame to be the wrong word. Probably, responsibility is more the correct word.
It took me some months to notice what was going on, and even longer to accept that my burnout was going to kill LGP unless I did something about it. The lack of drive slowed down production of new titles, shipping, customer service, everything that I either handled or had a big part in helping with, was all being compromised. The answer didn’t come from Dr’s, and it didn’t come from telling myself to ‘just stop slacking and get on with it’. The answer came by accepting the new reality that my burnout was not going away and I was no longer the right person to be at the heart of Linux gaming. I still love Linux and I love Linux gaming. LGP is my baby, and you don’t devote 12 years of your life to something like this without being proud of, and attached to, your creation.
And so in recent months I took the decision to stop. Difficult doesn’t even come close to how hard the decision was. I lost a lot of sleep over it, and it was depressing, stressful, and disheartening, but I knew in the end it was the best thing for me to do for myself and for the company.
But I didn’t want to let the company die. Of course not, I have invested too much time, money, blood sweat and tears into LGP to just say ‘That is it, bye’. And so I sat down and had a long think about how to save it.
The decision was made to find and hand over control of the company to someone new, someone who could move it forwards where I no longer had the drive and energy. To that end, I selected Clive Crous to take over my position in the company.
Clive has been a part time developer for LGP for many years, having a hand in quite a few games. But his primary qualification for the job comes with his unrestrained enthusiasm for Linux gaming. I selected Clive not because he offered the most money for the company, as the decision was made that only a token payment would be made, so don’t worry I just decided to ’sell out’ . I chose Clive as he will bring about new energy and drive to LGP, the main thing it has been lacking in the recent past. He has some big plans, and I won’t steal his thunder by telling you what he is going to be doing, but I think you’ll be happy with the new and revitalised LGP. Give him some time though, things won’t change overnight. He has a lot of work to do, and a lot to learn about the industry. Treat him gently!
So, as I say goodbye, I would like to thank the many many people who have supported me over the years in keeping LGP alive. Not in the least I need to give special thanks to Mel, Gareth and Eskild, who have been there offering support, a dose of reality, and a kick up the backside whenever it was needed, and to all the dozens and dozens of others who have given up their time, often for nothing in return, to keep LGP and myself running.
I know Clive is preparing a hello speech, like this is my goodbye speech, and his posting will follow this one in a day or two.
And with that, I give you, Clive Crous, CEO, Tux Games and Linux Game Publishing.
Still alive and kicking
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011So, we’ve been a bit too quiet lately. That’s partly my fault, and partly because we’ve been busy working on our next port. I’m pleased to inform you that we now have a working build of it in internal alpha testing, and we should open applications to the beta test “soon” (for sufficiently vague values of “soon”). We’re also working on a few other things that we should be announcing in the near future.
Meanwhile, feel free to contact me with any questions or feedback you have (other than “what’s the port?” that is, because I won’t be able to tell you that yet, no matter how hard you try :).
If you have any input, suggestions or questions for me, feel free to ask them here in the comments, on IRC (Zero_Dogg in #lgp on irc.freenode.net), via identi.ca/twitter or via e-mail (to eskild at the domain linuxgamepublishing dot com).
Upcoming community event
Thursday, August 19th, 2010Right, so, obviously this is long overdue, and I take the blame for that, been too easily distracted. But now it’s time. identi.ca/twitter giveaways was obviously the most popular choice at 65% of the votes, so that’s what we’re going to do. For those of you that don’t already follow us, now would be a great time to do so. We’re LGP on identi.ca and L_G_P on twitter. We’re going to be running a retweet giveaway this following Monday, the 23rd, ending on Wednesday the 25th at around 18:00 CET. We will draw one random winner that will be given a free copy of a downloadable LGP game of his or her choice (our current downloadable titles are: X²: The Threat, X³: Reunion, Sacred: Gold, Jets’N'Guns, Ballistics, Majesty: Gold, Shadowgrounds and Shadowgrounds: Survivor).
If you have any input, suggestions or questions for me, feel free to ask them here in the comments, on IRC (Zero_Dogg in #lgp on irc.freenode.net), via identi.ca/twitter or via e-mail (to eskild at the domain linuxgamepublishing dot com).
Which community events do you want?
Monday, April 5th, 2010We have been hard at work on our unannounced ports the last couple of months, and I know some of you get rather impatient waiting for news. So, to help pass the time we’d like to see if there are any particular community events that you’d like to see. If you have other good ideas, feel free to suggest them in a comment. Please vote only for events that you’d be likely to attend, you may select up to three.
Which community events would you attend?
- More identi.ca/twitter giveaways (65.0%, 43 Votes)
- LGP trivia contest on IRC (26.0%, 17 Votes)
- LGP trivia contest on identi.ca/twitter that is spread out over a week (23.0%, 15 Votes)
- Play Majesty on PenguinPlay with LGP staff (18.0%, 12 Votes)
- Play Ballistics on PenguinPlay with LGP staff (15.0%, 10 Votes)
- Play Knights & Merchants on PenguinPlay with LGP staff (9.0%, 6 Votes)
Total Voters: 66
Loading ...If you have any input, suggestions or questions for me, feel free to ask them here in the comments, on IRC (Zero_Dogg in #lgp on irc.freenode.net), via identi.ca/twitter or via e-mail (to eskild at the domain linuxgamepublishing dot com).
Microblogging
Friday, October 2nd, 2009After some internal discussion, we have decided to try something new, namely microblogging. Initially we are just testing it to see how much it will be used, but we will make it permanent if it proves successful. It is meant as a simple means to send quick messages to LGP and get quick information about releases, announcements and patches.
We will also be running some competitions where you will get a chance to win a download of an LGP game, as well as some small ones now and then where we will hand out free game rentals.
As the free and open source software loving company we are, we use identi.ca which runs on the AGPLd status.net microblogging platform. But for those that prefer twitter, our account is mirrored there as well.
So follow us, @LGP on identi.ca or @L_G_P on twitter. See you there.
If you have any input, suggestions or questions for me, feel free to ask them here in the comments, on IRC (Zero_Dogg in #lgp on irc.freenode.net), via identi.ca/twitter or via e-mail (to eskild at the domain linuxgamepublishing dot com).
Answering the LGP DRM questions
Friday, February 27th, 2009Our new DRM system has probably generated as much debate as anything we have ever done. So, I thought that I should try and dispel some of the myths and rumours that have been going about, and give you some of the positive aspects of the system.
The first and most important issue I would like to address is that no, you do NOT require internet access to install or to play the games, you do not need a disc in your drive, and you do not need to enter in your key or password every time you play. These are all myths. You need to enter a key and password (and optionally your email address) when you install the game, and that is it. You do not need to worry about it again.
Our system uses a policy of ‘Innocent until proven guilty’ which means that you can ALWAYS play your game, unless the system knows for a fact that there is a reason you shouldn’t. This is the opposite to most DRM systems, which assume you do not have the right to, unless you prove you can.
Unfortunately, no system is foolproof, and, yes there is a small chance that a legitimate user could be locked out of their game, but the chance is rather low. It would require that the user lose their key AND to have not set an email address for their game, and are trying to reinstall it. Just forgetting your password is not enough to lose you access to the game, unless you did not set an email address.
We acknowledge that some users dislike ANY DRM, and you know what, so do we, but we have little choice when we have proved that more copies are pirated of our games than purchased. As a small company, we do not do DRM to try and rip people off, we add it because it is going to help keep us in business.
However bear in mind that this DRM works in your favour too. As well as the obvious, helps us keep making games, it also allows us to provide a method to allow you the customer to exert your rights as granted by the LGP license. When you buy any game from any company, you buy a license to install and use the software. The box and disc is just a delivery system. If you lose your copy of a Windows game, good luck getting it replaced for free (or for the cost of time and materials to send you a replacement at the most). But the thing is, you should. We fully believe that as you bought a license, then you have the right to play the game for as long as that license is valid. This is why, using our DRM system, we have now completed a new system that will allow users to get a new downloadable version of any game they have legitimately purchased. So if you lose all of your games somehow, the DRM’d ones will actually be MORE replaceable than the non-DRM’d ones, as they are the ones you can prove you have a license for.
Unlike other DRM systems that pretty much prevent you from selling on your license, the LGP system is set up to allow you to do so. In fact we have devised a system at http://keyserver.linuxgamepublishing.com which allows the seller of a game to transfer their license safely to a new owner, and for a potential buyer to check that a game they are being offered has a valid license key. This means that our DRM offers security for players that they are buying a real game that is playable, rather than with other DRM systems where you can buy a game on Ebay, and find out when it arrives it has a locked out key and the company that licenses the game will not unlock it.
We think that our system provides us with a bit of security, but it also gives you, the customer, benefits that counterbalance the fact we had to add in the DRM in the first place. It is thanks to the discussions we had with the community that we took out the requirement to be online when yiou register, and the requirement to be online when you start the game.
When all is said and done, we tried for years to stop people copying our games by asking nicely and appealing to peoples better natures. That didn’t work, and so we are left with DRM.
Enabling online gaming
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009We recently released PenguinPlay, a multi player matchmaking service for Linux. Part of our motivation to do this was the fact that it could, at times, be very hard to actually find someone to play online Linux games with, our community not being as large as the gaming communities on other platforms, as well as the fact that none of the other matchmaking services had proper Linux support. One of the main reasons for this, of course, is the fact that most games aren’t compatible across platforms, usually because they use a proprietary network layer that only works on one platform. PenguinPlay on the other hand is built around the LGP networking library, Grapple, which both makes support for PenguinPlay quite easy to implement, as well as giving support for platform-independent multiplayer. The service itself had been in the making for quite some time before its recent release.
Although it still is relatively new, there’s already quite a few nifty features available, such as in-game lobby, live information about ongoing games on the web site, as well as highscores for all games. Sadly though it can still at times be somewhat hard to find someone to play with, which is why we added a new feature to PenguinPlay this week, namely e-mail notifications. This lets you subscribe to notifications for games, then PenguinPlay sends you an e-mail when a multiplayer game that you can join is started. In order to enable this feature you need only log in to your PenguinPlay account, edit your account settings and then select that you wish to edit notification settings. From there you can subscribe and unsubscribe to new game notifications for the various games available on PenguinPlay.
To compliment the notification service and the on-site forums we have also started an IRC channel where PenguinPlay games can chat and schedule games in. Join #PenguinPlay on the irc.freenode.net IRC network.
One of the primary things that separates PenguinPlay from the many others similar services out there (apart from the obvious support for Linux) is that it is available, very cheaply, for developers of Free/Open source games. The Grapple library is already open, so they need only pay a (nominal) fee for hosting services, and then we take care of the rest (no proprietary code needed). The library itself is multi-platform and runs on Linux, BSD, MacOS X and Windows. Our goal is that a multi-platform online gaming community is built up around it, in particular, one where Linux gamers are real full-time members of the community and treated at least as well as gamers from other platforms.
As of this writing, the games that are available are only Linux versions, and only commercial games. There is no technical reason why the developers of the games for other platforms shouldn’t be able to patch their games to work with PenguinPlay. The games that are available are currently available for online play are Ballistics and Knights & Merchants both of which needs to be patched to the latest version, as well as high score support for Jets’n'Guns, which was the first LGP game to ship with PenguinPlay support out-of-the-box, and Candy Cruncher (which also requires a patch). The upcoming LGP game Sacred: Gold will also ship with PenguinPlay support out-of-the-box, enabling Linux gamers to adventure together, and our beta team has already done so. I for one can’t wait to quest along with fellow Linux gamers.
We are hoping that the service improves the multiplayer experience for Linux gamers, making it easier for the gamers to find people to play with, and games developers to have full multi-platform multiplayer support in their games. Keep checking this blog and the PenguinPlay website for news about more upcoming PenguinPlay features and games.
If you have any input, suggestions or questions for me, feel free to ask them here in the comments, on IRC, or via e-mail (to eskild at the domain linuxgamepublishing dot com).
The LGP community
Friday, February 13th, 2009Greetings! My name is Eskild Hustvedt (aka. Zero_Dogg), and I’m a junior developer and community manager at Linux Game Publishing. This is the first of hopefully many (community-related or otherwise) blog posts from me. This time I’ll be writing a bit about the LGP community.
One of the great strengths of Linux in general is the strong communites that has been built up around it. Linux gaming is no exception, and we at LGP are very proud of the community that surrounds us, not merely because it is the community that pays our bills, but also because it is very friendly and helpful, and as such a great motivation while we are working on bringing great commercial games to Linux.
One of our most active community communication channels is IRC. We have one rather active IRC channel on the irc.freenode.net IRC network, namely #LGP, our general chat channel. Recently we have also started a channel for our new PenguinPlay games matchmaking service on the same network called (quite obviously) #PenguinPlay. The latter is still in its infancy, and as such not as active as the primary #LGP channel. In both of them you will be able to communicate with other members of the community, as well as numerous LGP employees. You will find our beloved dictator CEO Michael Simms (as lgp-michael), and yours truly (as Zero_Dogg) idling there pretty much 24/7, and most other LGP employees regulary (pretty much daily) stopping by, not to mention the large croud of friendly regulars that are usually more than happy to help, or just chat (about Linux games of course, though we *cough* some times tend to drift somewhat off topic). IRC is also a great way to quickly get support concerning our games (although it should be noted that it is not an official support channel). Not only is our IRC community helpful in answering questions about our games, but it also deserves our gratitude for assisting us. Just this week we recieved numerous reports about our recent Candy Cruncher patch breaking sound for many players, as a result of this we were quickly able to diagnose and subsequently issue another patch that fixed the issue.
Another good example as to how our community can affect our decisions is how we treated the community reactions to our announcement of the addition of DRM to our new games. The community had strong feelings and opinions concerning the subject (and rightfully so), but we felt that at this point adding a form of DRM was something we had to do. What followed was a storm of feedback from our community, which we greatly appreciated. Because of you we made large changes to the DRM scheme, in order to ensure that the rightful owners of our games would not be blocked from using their own game, even during very long periods of no internet connection. The input was received primarily via e-mail and on our public IRC channels (but also partly through comments on articles concerning the subject).
In the end, the community and our love for gaming in general, and on Linux in particular, is the reason we keep doing what we do. Without all of you, there would not be any LGP.
If you have any input, suggestions or questions for me, feel free to ask them here in the comments, on IRC, or via e-mail (to eskild at the domain linuxgamepublishing dot com).