From a reader...
Originally posted by Scott
When will we have real gaming on Linux?
This is, I suppose, a rhetorical question, but if there is any new news, I'd love to hear it. I've been a Windows user for years, solely because of games. If Linux could just gather its forces and address this one issue, I could cross over.
However, to the best of my knowledge, Linux isn't getting anywhere with gaming, and that's due to Linux's main undermining flaws: 1) lack of focused effort, and 2) lack of desire on the part of developers to be a mainstream solution. (The whole Cedega/Wine affair is not a proper solution, by the way. It's baling wire and duct tape.)
It would seem that the present time would be excellent for a concerted effort to supply game developers with a tool package that would facilitate the dual development of games for Linux and DirectX 10. I know that AMD/ATI has contributed one part that might help, a HLSL2GLSL tool, but I imagine a lot more has to be done, including hand-holding of developers.
I believe that if Linux could get games running natively, with push-button installation / de-installation and all the bells and whistles, then Linux could really take off. It seems to me that with online retailing, broadband connections for downloads, automatic updates, dual core computing, virtualization (?), better graphics drivers on Linux, and so on, this must be the best time there has ever been for this type of endeavor.
And if the Linux community isn't interested in this, I wish they would just pack up and go home. I know that sounds harsh, but by chronically doing nothing they are doing more harm than good. People think Linux is going to provide an alternative to MS - I hear it all the time - but if it won't address the concerns of the mainstream, then it isn't ever going to be a credible alternative. All it is doing is reinforcing the MS monopoly by sucking up the time and interest of people who do want a credible alternative.
Sorry if that sounded a bit like a rant.
There's no need to answer this email, but if the idea sparks an article, editorial, or a good remark in the right ear, then I've fulfilled my purpose.
This is, I suppose, a rhetorical question, but if there is any new news, I'd love to hear it. I've been a Windows user for years, solely because of games. If Linux could just gather its forces and address this one issue, I could cross over.
However, to the best of my knowledge, Linux isn't getting anywhere with gaming, and that's due to Linux's main undermining flaws: 1) lack of focused effort, and 2) lack of desire on the part of developers to be a mainstream solution. (The whole Cedega/Wine affair is not a proper solution, by the way. It's baling wire and duct tape.)
It would seem that the present time would be excellent for a concerted effort to supply game developers with a tool package that would facilitate the dual development of games for Linux and DirectX 10. I know that AMD/ATI has contributed one part that might help, a HLSL2GLSL tool, but I imagine a lot more has to be done, including hand-holding of developers.
I believe that if Linux could get games running natively, with push-button installation / de-installation and all the bells and whistles, then Linux could really take off. It seems to me that with online retailing, broadband connections for downloads, automatic updates, dual core computing, virtualization (?), better graphics drivers on Linux, and so on, this must be the best time there has ever been for this type of endeavor.
And if the Linux community isn't interested in this, I wish they would just pack up and go home. I know that sounds harsh, but by chronically doing nothing they are doing more harm than good. People think Linux is going to provide an alternative to MS - I hear it all the time - but if it won't address the concerns of the mainstream, then it isn't ever going to be a credible alternative. All it is doing is reinforcing the MS monopoly by sucking up the time and interest of people who do want a credible alternative.
Sorry if that sounded a bit like a rant.
There's no need to answer this email, but if the idea sparks an article, editorial, or a good remark in the right ear, then I've fulfilled my purpose.
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