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Steam keeps on winning
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this post was submitted on 27 Dec 2023
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My issue is that I use Linux, so I either need to download games from their website (no automatic updates) or use a third party client like Heroic launcher. If GOG had first class support for Linux, I'd probably buy most of my games through them.
But Linux users are a small minority, so the main issue is probably selection. Steam has pretty much all of the popular games, whereas GOG only has the DRM-free games. It's the same problem Linux has had and continues to have, why would you use platform A if platform B is the same price and has more of the games you want to play? Splitting your library across services sucks, so most people will go with the one has most of their games.
The solution here imo it's make licenses portable so you can easily switch platforms. If I want to move my brokerage, I just need to fill out a form and wait a few days. If I want to switch game platforms, I need to repurchase or abandon my games. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is a real reason people don't switch.
What's wrong with Heroic launcher? Being a linux user you should be used by now to workarounds and alternative solutions to various problems, so why is that tool (that is pretty good and can even be used on steam deck) a deal breaker? That small inconvenience pales in comparison to benefits of DRM-free games and not supporting a monopoly IMHO.
My experience with Heroic has been... okay. I think the big issue is that a lot of tools are built with Steam in mind and not Heroic, which unintentionally adds friction.
I’m using epic on Steam deck.
I have to tweak something every now and then but I just won a Star Wars Resurgence giveaway here on Lemmy and with a tiny bit of work it runs perfectly.
I’ve been using Linux since Redhat 5.2 so I’m definitely used to workarounds and alternative solutions haha.
It just... doesn't work as well as Steam. For example:
It works fine, but given that it's worse than Steam and GOG doesn't support it, I don't really see how it makes my life much better. Yeah, DRM-free is nice, but many (most?) if my games on Steam are also DRM-free, they're just not labeled or packaged as such, so I can often just copy the game directory somewhere and run w/o Steam running.
So GOG needs to give me a better reason to use their service. I'm not going to jump through hoops just because "DRM-free" is advertised instead of hidden. For me, that means one of the following:
Pick one and I'll feel more confident in using their products.
Or maybe the solution is to use the right tool for the job? I don't complain that I can't play PS5 games because I made the choice to buy a Switch or that I can't play the newest AAA game because I bought a Chromebook or that I can't go see my friend that lives 600km away over the weekend because I made the choice to only own a bike!
A lot of Linux users talk like entitled children wherever there's a discussion about Epic. I can't count the number of times their gripe can be summarized to "Fuck Epic for not supporting Linux!" They made the choice to use Linux instead of Windows, that means they were ready to make some sacrifices when it comes to what's available, they can't complain about GOG or Epic not supporting their favorite OS when they never said they would! And why would they? Nvidia hardware works when it feels like it, AMD is better but still not as user friendly as on Windows and who's getting shat on when a game won't work? Who's asked for a refund because a game won't launch because of an issue with the user's Arch install? All that trouble for what % of gamers compared to Windows?
When you run a business you don't go chasing after that extra 1% of clients unless you're very well established and at the moment there's only one distributor that is in a position where it's worth it to give themselves all that trouble and it's Valve, the others have much more to gain from trying to take a bite from their 70% hold on 96% of the market.
Entitled? There's certainly some of that among Linux users, and there's definitely a lot of that among Windows users as well (not sure on percentages of each). However, it doesn't fit me at all.
I used Linux before Steam released their client for it, so I just limited myself to the games that did work (Minecraft, Dwarf Fortress, and later Factorio; some Starcraft and League of Legends in WINE). When Steam came, I suddenly had a lot more options, and then later they released Proton and I had way more choices.
If Steam never came to Linux, I'd still be playing the few games that work properly. I use my computer primarily for other stuff, and games are just something I do for fun. If games aren't there, I do other stuff for fun.
So if a platform makes it easy to play games, I'll give them money. If they don't, I'll avoid them. It's really as simple as that. I don't feel entitled to GOG or EGS porting their clients to Linux, but I'm not going to use their service until they do.
You sound like you dont understand what linux, or windows for that matter, even is. As if you just hear the name a lot online, and think its like a form of digital diet.
Dude, I've been building computers since Windows 3.0 and I've run all types of OS. If I choose to buy a Mac tomorrow morning who am I to bitch that company X doesn't support OSX? Well it's the same if you install Linux and in the vast majority of cases the arguments against game launchers that aren't Steam that come from Linux users are either outdated stuff (no shopping cart, no friends list...) or pure entitlement like they were owed support for their OS. Well no, you knowingly make the choice to install an OS that is historically known not to have much support from gaming companies, that's on you and it doesn't justify being mad at them. As I said, I can't be mad at Valve if I can't play my Steam games on my laptop if I bought at Chromebook, well that's exactly the discourse of most Linux users that are mad at Epic or GOG.
The only one who comes across as mad here is you. Saying "if you don't support the system I use I am not going to give you money" is not mad, it is just common sense.
There's a difference between saying "I won't give you money" and "Your product is a piece of shit"
You sound insanely intitled, so its very funny having you throw that around
Windows being a monopoly isn't a good thing either.
In fact, I'd say it's almost worse than steam having a monopoly on video games, because windows is an operating system.