GOG Game Service May Come To Linux

No official word has yet to come out, but the GOG.com computer game sale and distribution service looks increasingly likely like it will come to Linux.

For over a month now, Linux enthusiasts have been bombarding this GOG.com wishlist item with requests for adding Linux versions of games. "If a game has a Linux version and it is made and supported by the developer please allow the option to download the Linux version if at all possible." As of Saturday morning, there's been 3,811 votes in favor of this Linux support.

For those not familiar with the GOG.com game server, it's a bit similar to the Steam or Desura game distribution services although the games are sold without any digital rights management. There's many older games on this service that are offered at cheap prices, some of them even depending on DOSBox or ScummVM and other means of emulation. Right now GOG is offered for Microsoft Windows.

The GOG.com for Linux possibilities have been discussed within the Phoronix Forums, many emails to Phoronix, and elsewhere on the Internet. However, I've been hesitant to officially mention it on Phoronix as up to this point it's basically just been a community-spawned petition. However, a few days ago I did receive some information that it will look increasingly likely that a native Linux client for the GOG.com game service will happen. It's no guarantee right now nor have I heard of any ETA for any announcement or release, but it's looking like it may happen, although the Linux games may involve the use of Wine as a compatibility layer in cases where the older titles don't have native ports.

This might be something fun for people who are into gaming and to satisfy their Linux gaming appetite until the Steam Linux client is available with some compelling titles.