A little research help - Game Development

[MoobyMuffin]

I've recently made the plunge and got rid of Windows, and first off I must say that I'm very impressed and pleased that there is a decent alternative to the Microsoft environment. But that's not really what this post is about.

I really have a question for the community about open source development, or more accurately, what would attract you, the community, to a game targeting Linux, Mac and Windows. Would the game being open source increase the draw from the Linux folks? I'm fairly certain that supporting multiple platforms in itself would have a large draw (my biggest beef and one of the reasons it took so long to make the switch was the lack of games).

Currently, my partner and I are at odds when it comes to Open Source and the GNU. We're both Windows programmers, and I'm the only one to make the switch. In doing so, I'm "embracing" the community, while my partner wants to keep everything closed source but open to the community. While, yes, one of the end goals will be to make money in some form or fashion I would also like to have a game that anyone in the game's community can say "I did that!"

Any feedback, comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Vadi]

I don't think open-source and commercial mix too well in gaming. I mean, non-gaming programs do it by offering paid support / pro versions, but I don't think that'll work too well in a game. I don't think there are any games that do this even.

Cross-platform support and free content support is where's it at though. By free content I mean allow people to create content for your game and get it included in the game easily, with proper credits and licences and all.

So if I'm getting your partner right, I think his idea + your linux support should do well. That's what Savage 2 does too - check out their website, and this interview (click (http://www.linuxgamingworld.com/?q=node/229)) with a developer. They support Linux both on their website (important!) and both in-game (have both 32bit and 64bit linux clients), and actively listen to the community - in a recent patch, they included a pair of community-made maps and a unit. Imo S2 set a very nice standard to follow there :)

[hessiess]

in tearms of games i dont rilly care if its open or not, i dont care much for fancy graphics eather.originalaty is the only thing im intereted in.

[Naegling23]

I use linux because I like it. I like the freedom it gives me over my OS. But I use the best software available to do what I need to do. If a game is fun, and works on linux, I will buy it. I own doom3, quake wars, and neverwinter nights. I also play open source or free games if they are fun, Frets on Fire is a good example.

Heck, if a really good video editor came along that was commercial, worked on linux, and offered features that were not found in the open source editors...I would buy it.

Linux users are not linux users because its free, we are linux users because we like linux.

[Naegling23]

by the way, just look at this forum. If a game developer even suggests linux support they get our love. If you make a game, and port it to linux, it will be supported.

[Vadi]

+1.

Games are a special category, one where commercial ones fare quite well (given good support for linux on their side).

[matthewcraig]

What is fairly common and very much appreciated is when a commercial game development company writes closed-source games, but then releases some auxiliary software asset under the GNU License. For example, they release some network code (LGP) or some code to help do software installation (Loki). In this way, the developers recognize the advantages they have gained by using a free and open operating system for their development, by making their own small contribution.

Open and free is great on the infrastructure programs, but game programs that need art, story, and music fall in a different category.

[MoobyMuffin]

Linux users are not linux users because its free, we are linux users because we like linux.

I find real truth in that statement. Being n00b (I've tried a couple of times but it didn't stick) to Linux and the Ubuntu Distro, I'm finding that there really is more to computing than Windows and Microsoft.

Anyway, thank you all for the feedback. There's a bit of information that I hadn't taken into consideration. Hopefully I'll have some details for you all soon! Again, thanks for the input.

[Ideastone]

Honestly, if you are going to make a go at real game development, you aren't going to give your software away for free because it doesn't make good business sense. However, there are a few interesting avenues you could try. One, you could build a game engine and tools and open source them. That would give you a productivity boost without cutting your own throat. People could really get behind the idea of a quality open source engine/tools that can make great commercial games. Other way you could go is an advertising sponsored game that is open sourced. However, that would be a real gamble.

I think your best bet is to open your tools/engine and get people to improve them.

[Tux0r]

I'm gonna write a cross platform game this summer :) *hint hint*

[xzero1]

I use open source software. The fact that one can compile it,tailor it, and optimize it for your own platform is great. One can sometimes patch a problem without waiting for another release. Sometimes the developer can be helped with a problem -- especially with compatibility issues. One is more informed when disscussing issues in the forums. Open source code can serve as a base for others to build or improve upon or simply learn the art. New games can be made without 'reinventing the wheel'.

It is not so much an issue of free games, but the fact that most games are designed to run on the Windows platform and have issues running as well on Linux. There is sometimes an issue just getting a geme installed under Linux. Most gamers were brought up wanting optimal performance and will do and buy things to get it. Platform performance is a big issue to them. I dual boot XP and Linux and prefer to run games under Linux but frankly, most run better under XP.

You might consider reposting under the 'Development and Programming" forum to get a perspective from that community. Good luck on your game!