A Radical Idea For More Linux Game Ports
This proposal would likely never gain ground, but Ubuntu developer Shane Fagan is suggesting that Canonical and Red Hat should consider financing some high-profile Linux game ports. The financing would be a loan that'd only need to be repayed if the game studios broke even on their Linux game sales.
Fagan wrote on his blog the key part of the idea:
The solution to that is take at least loss away from the equation. If Canonical or RedHat not to leave anyone out could pay for the development cost of the port to Linux as a loan which Blizzard or Riot would pay back when Linux users spend money on their games. This completely takes out the loss from the table and means they would at least be breaking even on the port, then after the loan is paid back they keep the profit. Linux gamers get their game, some people will come over then from Windows who were at the tipping point and there would be 1 less reason for people to have a Windows dual boot in the first place.It's an interesting idea, but it would probably never take off. Regardless, it's interesting to hear what you think about it by commenting in our forums, or what other pipedreams you might have for how to get Linux gaming to truly take off -- should SteamOS and Steam Machines not end up panning out to everyone's dreams.
The idea itself is a completely speculative effort but I can't see why Blizzard or Riot wouldn't take them up on the offer. Its potentially a free revenue stream for them and all it takes is just putting a few developers on the port. The benefit for Canonical or RedHat (it would benefit both really) is 1 just instant potential users, 2 marketing because it would definitely make headlines around the internet and 3 most importantly it will make a lot of users very very happy. Mark invests so much money to grow Canonical and keep growing Linux, this idea would do the same. The amazing thing is we already have the other games which people play a lot which are CSGO, TF2, Dota2.
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