Gaming on Linux [OpenGL and programming]

[Gilrond-i-Virdan]

Gaming on Linux [OpenGL and programming]

https://developer.nvidia.com/sites/default/files/akamai/gamedev/docs/Porting%20Source%20to%20Linux.pdf

Quite a few interesting details for game developers.

 

[Gilrond-i-Virdan]

One of the courses in the new on-line education project - edX: https://www.edx.org

https://www.edx.org/courses/BerkeleyX/CS184.1x/2013_Spring/about

 

[jerf.674]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

 

[MrMida]

Out of curiosity, can anyone name a good game that runs on the Source Engine besides Valve's own stuff? Because so far I get the impression that it's an engine for third grade developers.

 

[Aver]

Out of curiosity, can anyone name a good game that runs on the Source Engine besides Valve's own stuff? Because so far I get the impression that it's an engine for third grade developers.

VtM: Bloodlines and Dark Messiah. But Source was not used by third party developers for a very long time.

 

[Gilrond-i-Virdan]

I'm not sure. Source Engine was just recently ported to Linux, so there can't be many games using it (if you mean Source Engine on Linux specifically).

 

[MrMida]

VtM: Bloodlines and Dark Messiah. But Source was not used by third party developers for a very long time.

Judging from what I found on Wikipedia, major developers don't seem to bother with Source these days anyway. Most Source games are indies or small games. Hence I was kinda wondering what Valve's gain is for porting it to Linux. I don't see anyone but small developers use it.

 

[jerf.674]

Judging from what I found on Wikipedia, major developers don't seem to bother with Source these days anyway. Most Source games are indies or small games. Hence I was kinda wondering what Valve's gain is for porting it to Linux. I don't see anyone but small developers use it.

Obviously, the main reason for Valve to port Source engine to Linux is that they want to use it themselves. Especially in view of the fact that SteamBox will arrive soon, and it'll run Linux. Evidently, they want all their games to be able to run on SteamBox. Also, I'm absolutely shure that they will release some new title together with SteamBox, to boost sales.

 

[gregski]

Merged topics as they were dealing with related issues (Linux and OpenGL).

 

[GuyNwah]

Adjusted title so it refers to the broader topic of game and graphics programming for Linux and OpenGL.

 

[Gilrond-i-Virdan]

Thanks Guy N'wah!

 

[Gilrond-i-Virdan]

Actual video from the Valve's presentation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btNVfUygvio

 

[Gilrond-i-Virdan]

Looks like OpenGL 4 is coming to the new release of Mac OSX (Mavericks): http://www.extremetech.com/computing/157789-wwdc-2013-ios-7-and-os-x-10-9-world-debut

Hopefully it'll give a boost for CDPR to work on the OpenGL 4 based version of the Witcher 3, since in case of Windows and consoles they decided to cut loose ends and to work only with very recent specs (like DX 11 and etc.). Having OpenGL 4 on Mac OSX can give CDPR a good baseline to work with for Linux / Mac OSX / Windows OpenGL version of the Red Engine (potentially PS4 is also using OpenGL 4: http://gematsu.com/2013/03/sony-shares-new-ps4-details-at-gdc).

 

[Gilrond-i-Virdan]

Linux as a gaming platform. Presentation by Leszek Godlewski who works on the Linux port of Painkiller: Hell & Damnation. (Presentation is in Polish but there are English slides available too).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqspFXJa6yM

Slides here: http://www.slideshare.net/LeszekGodlewski/linuxgames

I'd argue with a few poitns he makes though:

1. "When in doubt - use Ubuntu". I don't agree. I'd say when in doubt - use Debian Betting on Ubuntu can bite you back long term considering current developments with Mir and co.
2. "When in doubt - do whatever Valve does". Not necessarily, since Valve caters for their DRMed approach, and thus uses their Steam runtime. Those who aim for DRM free approach won't find this the good option.

 

[Pangaea666]

Blimey, I'd strongly disagree with those points. Would be more sensible to have the inverse stands, considering both Ubuntu and Valve are going in a terrible direction. The last thing that's needed on the linux platform is introduction of DRM and (maybe) going more towards closed-source, or inhouse.

 

[Gilrond-i-Virdan]

Known game developers - Dean Hall, Chris Roberts, Jon Mavor, and Chris Taylor talking about OpenGL vs DirectX and cross platform gaming (see from 9 minutes into the video):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VGqu4CsUX9I

 

[Sirnaq]

http://www.screwattack.com/news/support-good-old-linux-unlikely-good-old-games

 

[Gilrond-i-Virdan]

Here is the primary source, see the response from TheEnigmaticT there. But this really belongs to this thread. Let's continue there if you want to comment.